Breakdown of Buksan mo ang bintana upang pumasok ang sariwang hangin.
mo
you
upang
so that
buksan
to open
bintana
the window
pumasok
to come in
sariwa
fresh
hangin
the air
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Questions & Answers about Buksan mo ang bintana upang pumasok ang sariwang hangin.
What does buksan mo mean and how is it formed?
- buksà: root verb “to open”
- -an: object‑focus suffix indicating that something will be opened
- mo: second‑person singular clitic pronoun (“you”)
Together, buksan mo is the imperative “you open (it).”
Why is the pronoun mo attached after buksan rather than placed before?
In Tagalog, clitic pronouns like mo always follow the word they attach to (often a verb). Saying mo buksan is ungrammatical; the correct order is buksan mo.
What is the function of ang in ang bintana?
ang is the noun‑phrase marker for definite nouns. In this object‑focus command, ang bintana marks “the window” as the thing to be opened (the direct object).
What does upang indicate in this sentence?
upang introduces a purpose clause, equivalent to English “so that” or “in order that.” It links the command to its intended result.
Could you use para instead of upang? How would the sentence change?
Yes. A natural alternative is:
Buksan mo ang bintana para makapasok ang sariwang hangin.
Here, para is followed by the actor‑focus infinitive makapasok (“to be able to enter”), whereas upang directly takes pumasok.
Why is pumasok used here instead of pasukan?
- pumasok (root pasok
- infix um) is the actor‑focus form meaning “to enter” (the fresh air enters by itself).
- pasukan (root pasok
- suffix -an) is object‑focus and typically means “to cause something to enter” or “entrance.”
Using pumasok correctly emphasizes that sariwang hangin is entering on its own.
- suffix -an) is object‑focus and typically means “to cause something to enter” or “entrance.”
Why is the phrase ordered as pumasok ang sariwang hangin rather than ang sariwang hangin pumasok?
Tagalog often uses a verb‑subject‑object (V‑S‑O) order in actor‑focus clauses. Placing pumasok first highlights the action, followed by its subject ang sariwang hangin. Both V‑S and S‑V are grammatical, but V‑S is very common.
Why is sariwa changed to sariwang? What does the -ng suffix do?
The suffix -ng is a ligature that connects an adjective ending in a vowel to the noun it modifies. Instead of sariwa hangin, you say sariwang hangin (“fresh air”).
Could we drop mo in the command and just say Buksan ang bintana? What changes?
Yes. Buksan ang bintana upang pumasok ang sariwang hangin remains a clear instruction. Omitting mo makes it a more general or impersonal command; including mo adds clarity or emphasis on “you.”
Why is it sariwang hangin (adjective before noun) instead of hangin sariwang (noun before adjective)?
In Tagalog, adjectives typically precede the nouns they modify. So you say sariwang hangin (“fresh air”), not hangin sariwang.