Masaya ang mga bata habang naglalaro sila ng laro sa bakuran.

The children are happy while they play a game in the yard.

Breakdown of Masaya ang mga bata habang naglalaro sila ng laro sa bakuran.

• masaya: happy
• sa: in
• habang: while
• maglaro: to play
• mga bata: the children
• sila: they
• laro: a game
• bakuran: the yard

Questions & Answers about Masaya ang mga bata habang naglalaro sila ng laro sa bakuran.

Why is ang used before mga bata?

In Filipino, ang is a marker used to indicate the focus or subject of the sentence. Here, it identifies mga bata (the children) as the ones being described as happy.

What does habang mean in this sentence?

Habang means while in English. It's used to show that two actions or states are happening at the same time: the children are happy, and they are also in the process of playing.

How does sila function here when we already know the sentence talks about children?

Sila is a plural pronoun that means they in English. Even though it's clear we are referring to the children, Filipino grammar often reintroduces the pronoun for clarity and to maintain proper sentence flow.

What is the purpose of ng laro in naglalaro sila ng laro?

Naglalaro already means they are playing, but adding ng laro places emphasis on the fact that it's a specific game they're playing. It’s similar to saying they are playing a game rather than simply they are playing. However, saying naglalaro sila by itself is also acceptable in everyday conversation.

What does bakuran refer to, and is it the same as a backyard?

Bakuran generally means yard or the enclosed area surrounding a house. It can be similar to a backyard, but it sometimes covers the front yard or any fenced area around the house, depending on context.