Learn Hardcore Filipino: Mababa ang presyo ng kape.

In Tagalog/Filipino, the copula (“is/are”) is typically omitted in predicate adjective constructions. You start with the adjective (predicate), then follow with the subject marked by ang. So Mababa ang presyo ng kape literally reads “Low the price of coffee.”

What role does ang play in Mababa ang presyo ng kape?

ang is the subject/topic marker. It signals that the noun phrase that follows—ang presyo ng kape—is what you’re describing. Think of it like “the price of coffee” in English.

What does ng do in presyo ng kape?

ng is a genitive (possessive/linker) marker. It links two nouns or a noun and a modifier. In presyo ng kape, it shows that the coffee “owns” the price, i.e. “price of coffee.”

Why does mababa start with the prefix ma-?

Adjectives in Filipino often use the ma- affix to express a quality or state. The root baba means “low,” and adding ma- yields mababa, “low (in quality/amount/price).”

I’ve seen adjectives link to nouns with -ng or na (e.g., , ). Why isn’t there a linker between and ?