kumain na
/kuˈmaʔin na/word by word
The Tagalog phrase for "eat now" is kumain na.
kumain na is used to tell someone to start eating immediately. It can function as a direct command to eat right away or as a suggestion to begin a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
kumain means "to eat" and the particle na functions here as "now" or "already".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more informal approach, you can use Kain na. If you wish to be polite and invite others to eat together, use the polite form Kumain na po tayo, which incorporates the honorific po and the pronoun tayo (us/we). Another common informal way to say "let's eat now" is Tara, kain na tayo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the actor focus verb form kumain, which is the standard way to express the action of eating.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuˈmaʔin na/
Did you know?
- In Filipino culture, saying kain na is often used as a greeting regardless of whether food is actually available, serving as a way to welcome a guest and show hospitality.
- The word kumain is built using the infix '-um-', a common linguistic feature in Austronesian languages used to turn a root word into a verb.
- In some contexts, the phrasing of kain na can be used to signal the end of a conflict or a 'peace offering' when bringing food to someone you have argued with.
Examples in context
- Excuse me, sir. Kain na po tayo.Excuse me, sir. Let's eat now.
- Tara na, kain na.Let's go, eat now.
- Kumain na tayo! Tara, kain na tayo.Let's eat now! Come on, let's eat.
- Kumain na tayo.Let's eat now.
- Sabi ko, kumain na kayo.I said, you guys eat now.
Example conversation
Juan calls Maria to the dining table because the food is hot.
- JuanMaria, kumain na tayo.Maria, let's eat now.
- MariaSandali lang, Juan.Just a moment, Juan.
- JuanMainit pa ang ulam.The dish is still hot.
- MariaSige, papunta na ako.Okay, I'm coming.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (kumain, na) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kumain, na, CC BY-SA 4.0.
