Learn Hardcore Filipino: Sa Filipino grammar, tandaan na “Kumain ako” ay pokus sa aktor, habang “Kinain ko” ay pokus sa layon. - In Filipino grammar, remember that “Kumain ako” is actor focus, while “Kinain ko” is object focus.

Actor focus (pokus sa aktor) is when the verb form highlights the doer of the action. In “Kumain ako,” the prefix kum- marks the actor as the focus, so the sentence literally means “I (the one who does the eating) ate.” The subject or performer of the verb is front and center.

What is object focus in Filipino grammar?

Object focus (pokus sa layon) is when the verb form highlights the receiver of the action. In “Kinain ko,” the infix/affix -in- (or the prefix kin- plus appropriate inflections) makes the thing eaten the focus. So “Kinain ko ang mansanas” means “It was the apple that I ate,” emphasizing the apple rather than the eater.

Why do the verb affixes change between kumain and kinain?

Filipino uses verb affixes to signal which role is in focus.
• kum- (actor-focus, completed aspect)
• -in- or kin- (object-focus, completed aspect)
Switching the affix shifts your listener’s attention: either to who did the action or to what received the action.

Why is the pronoun ako used in actor-focus but ko in object-focus?

Pronouns in Filipino also adjust to focus:
• In actor-focus you use the nominative case (ako, we)
• In object-focus you use the genitive case (ko, akin)
Thus:
– Actor-focus: Kumain ako (I ate)
– Object-focus: Kinain ko (I ate it)

Does the focus change the sentence structure?

The basic word order (verb–subject–object) stays the same, but small tweaks appear:
• In actor-focus you often omit the agent marker (um), or you use the “um”/“mag” family.
• In object-focus you introduce markers like ang for the focused noun and ng or ni for the agent.
Example:
– Kumain ako ng mansanas. (I ate an apple.)
– Kinain ko ang mansanas. (I ate the apple.)

Does the overall meaning change if I switch to object focus?

The core event remains the same, but what you emphasize shifts:
• Kumain ako ng mansanas → Focus on who ate.
• Kinain ko ang mansanas → Focus on what was eaten.
Use one over the other depending on which piece of information you want to highlight in conversation.

Can I use both forms interchangeably?

Grammatically you can describe the same event in both ways, but they are not always interchangeable in context. If your goal is to stress who performed the action, use actor-focus. If you want to stress what was affected, use object-focus. Swapping them arbitrarily can confuse emphasis.

Are there other focus types besides actor and object?

Yes. Filipino has multiple focus systems:
• Location focus (pokus sa lugar) with affix -an or i-
• Benefactive focus (pokus sa benepaktibo) with i- or ipag-
• Instrumental focus (pokus sa instrumento)
And more. Each focus has its own set of affixes and markers.

When should I choose actor focus over object focus?

Choose actor focus to:
• Introduce or identify who did something.
• Answer questions like “Sino ang kumain?” (Who ate?)
Choose object focus to:
• Talk about or identify what was acted upon.
• Answer questions like “Ano ang kinain mo?” (What did you eat?)
Think about which piece of information your listener needs most and pick the focus that highlights that element.