pila
In Bisaya, "how much" is expressed as pila.
The word is used to ask about the price or cost of an item or service. It can also be used to ask for a count of objects.
Meaning: what is the cost/price? (det)
Which one should you use?
The word pila functions as both a question for price (how much) and a question for quantity (how many).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas, locals use Pira instead of Tagpila.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word pila is used to mean both "how much" regarding price and "how many" regarding count.
Did you know?
- The word pila has two completely different origins. One version is an ancient Austronesian word for counting and the other is a loanword from the Spanish fila meaning 'line'.
- If you are shopping in a market, you might hear the variation tagpila. Adding the prefix tag- changes the nuance to specifically ask for the 'price per unit' of an item.
- If you are waiting in a queue and someone asks pila, they might be asking how many people are in the line rather than the cost of a service.
Examples in context
- Tagpila kini nga sanina?How much is this shirt?
- Tagpila ang plete sa bus?How much is the bus fare?
- Tagpila ang seafood platter?How much is the seafood platter?
- Pila kini?How much is this?
- Pila ang usa ka kilo sa bugas?How much is a kilo of rice?
- Pila ang bayad sa plete?How much is the fare?
Example conversation
Ana is asking Ricardo about the price of a mango at a market stall.
- AnaPila ang usa ka kilo ani, Ricardo?How much is a kilo of this, Ricardo?
- RicardoSingkwenta pesos ang usa ka kilo, Ana.Fifty pesos is one kilo, Ana.
- AnaMahal ra kaayo ni.This is way too expensive.
- RicardoSige, hatagan tika og diskwento.Okay, I will give you a discount.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pila, CC BY-SA 4.0.
