aking
The English phrase 'my' is translated into Tagalog as aking or ko.
Meaning: belonging to me (det)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| aking | |
| ko | /ko/ (Standard Tagalog) |
Both forms are used to indicate that something belongs to me.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two forms depends entirely on the word order of your sentence. You use aking in the structure aking [noun], while you use ko in the structure [noun] ko.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Tagalog, the possessive pronoun generally follows the noun it belongs to, such as in the phrase cellphone ko (my cellphone). However, if you place the possessive before the noun it modifies, you must use the form aking.
Did you know?
- The word ko is not only used for 'my' but also functions as the pronoun 'I' when the sentence is in the object-focus construction.
- Using aking often adds a poetic or formal tone to a sentence, making it more common in songs and literature than in daily street speech.
- The word ko shares a common ancestor with the Malay suffix -ku, showing a linguistic link that spans thousands of miles across Southeast Asia.
Examples in context
- Puti ang aso ko.My dog is white.This sentence shows how to use ko to describe a pet.Tatoeba #8635179 by artemio, translation #250774 by CK
- Lola ko po siya.She's my grandma.This sentence demonstrates the use of ko when identifying a relative.Tatoeba #11680591 by qwertzu, translation #6008218 by CannedBread
- Kadugo ko si Tom.Tom is my flesh and blood.This sentence shows how ko can express a close familial connection.Tatoeba #11659386 by qwertzu, translation #3721998 by CM
- Ang aklat na ito ay akin.This book is mine.
- Ang kotse na ito ay sa akin.This car is mine.
- Ang cellphone ko ay bago.My cellphone is new.
- 1758 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mark and Jasmine are looking at a painting.
- MarkSino ang gumuhit ng aking painting?Who painted my painting?
- JasmineHindi ba ito ang gawa mo, Mark?Isn't this your work, Mark?
- MarkOo, pero nawala ang aking pirma.Yes, but my signature disappeared.
- JasmineSiguro ay nabura lang ito.Maybe it was just erased.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my” translations and entries ko, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ko, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
