Tumakbo ang aktor sa bakuran.

The actor ran in the yard.

Breakdown of Tumakbo ang aktor sa bakuran.

• sa: in
• bakuran: the yard
• tumakbo: to run
• aktor: the actor

Questions & Answers about Tumakbo ang aktor sa bakuran.

What does Tumakbo mean, and how is it formed?

Tumakbo means “ran,” i.e. the completed (“perfective”) form of “to run.” It comes from the root takbo (“run”) plus the actor‑focus infix ‑um‑ inserted after the first consonant (t‑um‑akbo), indicating that the doer (the actor) performed the action and that it’s finished.

Why is ang used before aktor, and what does it indicate?

ang is the nominative (subject) marker in Tagalog. When you see ang aktor, it tells you that aktor is the focus noun performing the action (i.e. the subject “the actor”).

What does sa indicate in sa bakuran?

sa is a preposition that can mean in, at, or to when marking a location or indirect object. Here, sa bakuran literally means in the yard or at the yard.

Why is the verb placed before the subject in this sentence?

Tagalog commonly uses a Verb‑Subject‑Object or Verb‑Subject‑Locative order. Putting the verb first is natural and often emphasizes the action. Unlike English, word order is relatively flexible in Tagalog, and the verb‑first pattern is perfectly standard.

What voice or focus is shown by the um infix in Tumakbo?

The infix -um- marks the actor focus (sometimes called agent voice). It highlights that the subject (the “aktor”) is the one carrying out the action of running.

Can the sentence be rearranged without changing its core meaning?

Yes. You can shift elements for emphasis or style:
• Ang aktor ay tumakbo sa bakuran. (Subject‑first with the linker ay)
• Sa bakuran tumakbo ang aktor. (Locative‑first)
All versions still mean “The actor ran in the yard,” but each puts focus on a different part of the sentence.

What exactly is bakuran, and are there other words for “yard” in Filipino?

Bakuran refers to a fenced‑in area, yard, or courtyard around a house. Other related terms include:
• Patyo (from Spanish patio, often a paved courtyard)
• Hardin (garden, usually planted with flowers or vegetables)
Choice depends on the nature of the space (grass vs. paved vs. flower beds).

Why do we say Tumakbo instead of nagtakbo? Aren’t both correct?

Both can mean “ran,” but they use different actor‑focus markers:
• Tumakbo uses the um‑ infix (more neutral or literary).
• Nagtakbo uses the nag‑ prefix (very common in everyday speech).
They’re interchangeable in meaning; choice is largely a matter of register or style.

How would you express the ongoing or future action of running instead of the completed past?

You change the affixation and/or reduplicate the first syllable of the root:
• Progressive/imperfective: Tumatakbo ang aktor sa bakuran.
(“The actor is running in the yard.”)
• Contemplated/future: Tatakbo ang aktor sa bakuran.
(“The actor will run in the yard.”)
You can also use mag‑ forms in colloquial speech (e.g. nagtatakbo, magtatakbo) to convey similar aspects.