Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ikaw | /ʔiˈkaw/ /ʔiˈkow/ |
familiar |
| kayo | /kaˈjo/ (Standard Tagalog) | polite |
| iyo | /ʔiˈo/ (Standard Tagalog) /ˈʔio/ |
familiar |
| inyo | /ʔinˈjo/ (Standard Tagalog) /ʔinˈjo/ |
polite |
| mo | /mo/ (Standard Tagalog) | familiar |
| niyo | /niˈo/ (Standard Tagalog) /niˈo/ |
polite |
| nila | /niˈla/ (Standard Tagalog) |
The word 'you' in Tagalog functions as different parts of speech, including a subject pronoun, a possessive pronoun and an oblique pronoun. Depending on the specific form used, it can mean 'you' (the person being addressed), 'your' (possessive) or 'by you' (oblique).
Which one should you use?
The forms used depend on the number of people being addressed and the level of respect required. For a single person in an informal setting, you use ikaw or ka. To address either a group of people or a single person to show respect, you use kayo. For possessive or oblique uses (meaning 'your' or 'by you'), the familiar forms are mo and iyo, while the polite forms are niyo and inyo.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Tagalog distinguishes between familiar and polite registers. Use ikaw, iyo and mo for familiar or informal situations. Use kayo, inyo and niyo for polite or formal situations. To further reinforce politeness and respect when using kayo, you can add the particle 'po' after it.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Subject pronouns change position within a sentence. The form ikaw is used as a subject pronoun when it is the first word in a sentence or phrase. If the subject pronoun is not the first word in the sentence, the short version ka is used instead. For possessive or oblique functions, use mo and iyo in a familiar context or use the polite versions niyo and inyo.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔiˈkaw/
Did you know?
- The Tagalog word ikaw is distantly related to the Māori word koe and the Hawaiian word ʻoe, both of which also mean 'you'.
- Using ikaw when addressing an elder or a stranger can be perceived as blunt or disrespectful.
Examples in context
- Ayaw ko sa iyo!I hate you!This sentence uses the form iyo.Tatoeba #8674440 by England, translation #1496819 by Spamster
- Alam mo ba iyon?Did you know that?Tatoeba #1864788 by nonong, translation #1428361 by marcelostockle
- Ayaw mo ba nito?Don't you want this?This sentence uses the form mo.Tatoeba #8653131 by England, translation #6091256 by CK
- Kamusta ka? Ikaw, musta?How are you? And you, how are you?
- Ano pangalan mo?What is your name?
- Anong gusto mo?What do you want?
- Kumusta po kayo?How are you?
- Ano po ang nais ninyong mangyari?What would you like to happen?
- Paano ko po kayo matutulungan?How can I help you?
- SayoFor you
- Ikaw mismo ang nagwagi.You yourself are the winner.
- Aralin mo ito nang mabuti.Study this well.
- Magandang araw sa inyo lahat.Good day to all of you.
- Salamat sa inyong lahat.Thank you to all of you.
- Ito ay para sa inyong lahat.This is for all of you.
- 3532 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jose and Angela are deciding who will pay for the meal.
- JoseSino ang magbabayad? Ikaw na ba?Who will pay? Is it you?
- AngelaOo, ako na ang magbabayad.Yes, I will be the one to pay.
- JoseSalamat! Napakabait mo talaga.Thanks! You are really so kind.
- AngelaWalang anuman, Jose.You're welcome, Jose.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries ikaw, kayo, iyo, inyo, mo, niyo, nila, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ikaw, iyo, kayo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
