Learn Hardcore Filipino: Wala pa ang asawa ko; baka nasa opisina pa siya. - My spouse is not here yet; maybe she is still at the office.

Wala means “there is none / not present,” and pa means “yet/still.” Together, Wala pa means “not here yet / hasn’t arrived yet,” and it implies an expectation that the person will arrive.

Why do we need ang in ang asawa ko?

Ang marks the topic/subject noun phrase. After a predicate like wala, the subject is typically an ang-marked phrase: Wala pa ang asawa ko. Dropping ang here (e.g., “Wala pa asawa ko”) is ungrammatical in standard Filipino.

Could I use si instead of ang (e.g., si asawa ko)?

No. Si is used for personal names or titles (e.g., si Maria, si Dr. Cruz). Ang is used with common nouns like asawa. So it’s ang asawa ko but si Maria.

What’s the difference between asawa ko and aking asawa?

Both mean “my spouse.” Asawa ko (noun + enclitic pronoun) is the most common, neutral way. Aking asawa (possessive adjective before the noun) is more formal or emphatic and often used in writing: ang aking asawa.

Does asawa specify gender? How do I clarify “wife” or “husband”?

Asawa is gender-neutral (“spouse”). To specify, you can say asawa kong babae (wife) or asawa kong lalaki (husband). Colloquial options: misis (wife), mister (husband).

What does baka convey here, and how is it different from siguro or marahil?

Baka means “maybe / might,” often expressing a tentative guess or even a cautious/concerned tone. Siguro generally feels like “probably / I guess,” often a bit stronger in everyday speech. Marahil is “perhaps,” more formal or literary. All can fit, but they differ in tone and strength.

How do I pronounce baka here, and is it different from “cow”?

“Maybe” is bakâ (stress on the last syllable). “Cow” is báka (stress on the first syllable). Context and stress distinguish them.

Why is it nasa opisina pa siya and not sa opisina pa siya?

Nasa is used when the location itself is the predicate (“is at/in/on”), as in Nasa opisina pa siya (“He/She is still at the office”). Sa marks location as a complement of a verb: Pupunta siya sa opisina (“He/She will go to the office”).

Where exactly does pa go in the second clause? Why after opisina?

Clitics like pa typically appear after the first major predicate element. In Baka nasa opisina pa siya, the predicate is the location phrase nasa opisina, so pa follows it. In the first clause, pa follows wala: Wala pa ang asawa ko.

What’s the difference between pa and na?

Pa = “still / yet”: Nasa opisina pa siya (“still at the office”). Wala pa siya (“not here yet”).
Na = “already / now / anymore (in negatives): Nasa opisina na siya (“already at the office”). Wala na siya (dito) (“no longer here”).

When should I use pa rin instead of just pa?

Use pa rin to emphasize continuity in spite of some expectation to change: Nasa opisina pa rin siya (“He/She is still at the office [even now]”). Pa alone also means “still,” but pa rin underscores persistence relative to a prior state.

Can I change the word order, like Ang asawa ko, wala pa?

Yes. Wala pa ang asawa ko is the usual predicate-first order. Fronting the topic for emphasis is fine: Ang asawa ko, wala pa or the formal Ang asawa ko ay wala pa. The meaning remains “My spouse isn’t here yet,” with a focus on “my spouse.”

Can I omit siya in the second clause?

Yes, if the context is clear: Baka nasa opisina pa. In conversation, the subject can be dropped when it’s understood (here, it’s the spouse).

Is the semicolon necessary? Could I use a period or comma?

A period is most common: Wala pa ang asawa ko. Baka nasa opisina pa siya. A semicolon is fine in careful writing; a comma is usually avoided between independent clauses in English, but Filipino often tolerates it.

What’s the difference between wala and walang?

Wala stands alone or takes an ang-phrase: Wala ang asawa ko / Wala pa ang asawa ko. Walang = wala + ng and directly modifies a noun: Walang tao (“no people”). You would not say Walang asawa ko for “My spouse is absent.”

How is wala different from hindi?

Wala negates existence/presence or possession: Wala siya (dito) (“He/She isn’t here”), Wala akong pera (“I don’t have money”). Hindi negates verbs, adjectives, or sentences: Hindi siya darating (“He/She won’t come”), Hindi siya pagod (“He/She isn’t tired”).

How do I explicitly say “not here yet” with “here”?

Use dito (here): Wala pa siya dito or Wala pa dito ang asawa ko (“My spouse isn’t here yet”).

Could this sentence mean “I don’t have a spouse yet”?

No. Wala pa ang asawa ko means “My spouse isn’t here yet.” To say you don’t have a spouse yet, say Wala pa akong asawa (literally, “I still don’t have a spouse”).

Can I replace opisina with other natural options?

Yes: Nasa trabaho pa siya (“He/She is still at work”) is very common. You can also be specific: Nasa ospital pa siya (“still at the hospital”), Nasa eskwela pa siya (“still at school”).

Why is the pronoun siya used—doesn’t Filipino have gendered pronouns?

Siya is gender-neutral (“he/she”). If you want to be explicit in English translation, you choose “he” or “she,” but Filipino doesn’t mark gender in siya.

Is spelling sya acceptable?

Siya is the standard spelling. Sya is informal/texting shorthand.

Can I use yung instead of ang?

Yes in colloquial speech: Wala pa yung asawa ko; baka nasa opisina pa siya. Yung (from iyong) is very common in conversation; ang is more neutral/standard.

How does kay/kaya relate to nasa for locations?

Nasa marks place: Nasa opisina siya (“at the office”). Nasa kay indicates being “with” a person: Nasa kanya pa ang susi (“The key is still with him/her”). Don’t use kay for places.

Is there a polite way to say this?

Add po for politeness (to elders/strangers): Wala pa ang asawa ko, po; baka nasa opisina pa siya. More natural: Wala pa po ang asawa ko. Baka nasa opisina pa siya.