Pakinggan natin ang awit dito sa bakuran.

Let's listen to the song here in the yard.

Breakdown of Pakinggan natin ang awit dito sa bakuran.

• sa: in
• bakuran: the yard
• awit: the song
• dito: here
• pakinggan: to listen to

Questions & Answers about Pakinggan natin ang awit dito sa bakuran.

What is the function of pakinggan in this sentence?

pakinggan is an object-focus imperative formed from the root dinig (“hear/listen”) with the affixes pa-…-in. It creates a command or invitation meaning “(let’s) listen to.” Here it tells the speaker and listener to listen to something—namely ang awit.

Why is natin used instead of tayo or kami?

natin is the genitive (object-focus) form of “we,” inclusive of the speaker and listener, translating to “our” or “us.” In object-focus commands like pakinggan, you pair the verb with a genitive pronoun (natin). tayo is the nominative inclusive “we” used in actor-focus constructions (e.g., makinig tayo), and kami is exclusive of the listener.

What role does ang play before awit?

ang is the direct-object marker in an object-focus sentence. It flags awit as the focused object of the verb pakinggan. In English this corresponds roughly to “the song,” but in Filipino grammar it specifically signals object-focus.

Why do we say dito sa bakuran instead of just sa bakuran?

dito means “here,” giving the exact spot. sa is a locative linker meaning “in/at,” and bakuran is “yard.” Together dito sa bakuran specifies “right here in the yard,” not just anywhere in the yard.

Is it possible to front the object for emphasis, like Ang awit, pakinggan natin dito sa bakuran?

Yes. Filipino allows topicalization. Ang awit, pakinggan natin dito sa bakuran literally means “As for the song, let’s listen to it here in the yard.” It’s more emphatic but conveys the same overall meaning.

What’s the difference between pakinggan natin and makinig tayo sa awit?

Both invite “let’s listen,” but:

• pakinggan natin ang awit uses object-focus (pa‑…‑in) so the song is marked with ang.
• makinig tayo sa awit uses actor-focus (maki‑…‑in) so the subject is tayo and the song is marked with sa.
  Nuance: pakinggan natin highlights the specific song as the focus; makinig tayo emphasizes the action of listening.

How do you politely soften the command using po?

You can insert po after the verb or pronoun, for example:

• Pakinggan po natin ang awit dito sa bakuran.
• Pakinggan natin po ang awit dito sa bakuran.
  Both are correct; po must follow the first spoken element to show respect.

How would you turn this invitation into a question?

Add the question particle ba or use rising intonation:

• Pakinggan ba natin ang awit dito sa bakuran? (“Shall we listen to the song here in the yard?”)
• Makinig ba tayo sa awit dito sa bakuran? works if you switch to actor-focus.

Can you use mga to indicate multiple songs?

Yes. To say “songs” plural, insert mga before awit:
Pakinggan natin ang mga awit dito sa bakuran.
= “Let’s listen to the songs here in the yard.”