Learn Hardcore Filipino: Kumain tayo ng hapunan kasama ang pamilya mamaya.

In Tagalog the perfective (completed) aspect—kumain—is often used to give commands or invitations (“Let’s eat”). Kakain tayo literally means “we will eat” and is more like stating a future plan rather than an immediate invitation.

What is the role of ng in ng hapunan?

ng is the marker for a non‑subject noun or indefinite direct object. Here it introduces hapunan (“dinner”) as the thing being eaten. It’s different from ang, which marks the subject or topic of a sentence.

How do you express “with the family,” and why is it kasama ang pamilya instead of using sa or ng?

kasama means “together with” or “accompanied by.” After kasama, the person or group you’re with takes the ang‑marker (nominative/topic), not ng. You don’t use sa pamilya here because sa would need a different verb like sumama (“to go with”), and ng marks objects, not accompaniment.

Why is tayo used instead of kami?

tayo is the inclusive “we” (speaker + listener). kami is exclusive (speaker + others, excluding the listener). Since this sentence is inviting you to join, it uses the inclusive tayo.

Why is mamaya placed at the end, and can you move it elsewhere?

mamaya means “later” (often “this evening”). Time words in Tagalog are flexible: you can say Mamaya, kumain tayo… or put mamaya at the end for a more casual flow. Both positions are correct.

Can you drop the infix and just say kain tayo instead of kumain tayo?

Yes. In casual spoken Tagalog people often say kain tayo or kain na tayo (“let’s eat”) by dropping the -um- infix (or the ku- prefix in kumain). It’s very common in everyday conversation.

What’s the difference between kumain tayo ng hapunan and maghapunan tayo?

maghapunan is a single actor‑focus verb (root hapunan + mag-) meaning “to have dinner.” Maghapunan tayo is a bit more formal or literary. Kumain tayo ng hapunan uses the general verb kumain with the noun hapunan and sounds more conversational.

Why isn’t the ligature ay used in this sentence?

The linker ay appears in formal or inverted constructions (e.g. Mamaya ay kakain tayo…). In everyday Tagalog, ay is usually dropped and the sentence starts directly with the verb, making Kumain tayo ng hapunan kasama ang pamilya mamaya more natural.