Learn Hardcore Filipino: Dalhin mo ang kanin at ulam sa lamesa.

dalhin: object/patient-focus “bring (something).” It highlights the thing being brought. Ex: Dalhin mo ang libro. (Bring the book.)
magdala: actor-focus “bring/carry.” It highlights the bringer; the thing is usually an ng-phrase and can sound indefinite. Ex: Magdala ka ng libro. (Bring a book.)
dala: having something with you; often used with may. Ex: May dala akong libro. (I have a book with me / I brought a book.)

Why is it mo and not ka?

In object/patient-focus sentences like Dalhin mo…, the actor (“you”) is expressed by the genitive pronoun mo.
If you switch to actor-focus, you use ka instead: Magdala ka ng kanin at ulam sa lamesa.

Where does mo go in the sentence?

Clitic pronouns such as mo normally come right after the first word (or after any initial particle).
Correct: Dalhin mo ang kanin…, Dalhin mo na ang kanin…
With prohibition and a linker: Huwag mong dalhin ang kanin… (Here, mong = mo
- linker -ng.)

What does ang do here?

ang marks the topic/subject. In this object-focus command, ang kanin at ulam are the things being brought (the focused “patient”).

Why is there only one ang for two nouns: ang kanin at ulam?

A single ang can cover a coordinated noun phrase: ang X at Y.
You may also say ang kanin at ang ulam for extra clarity or emphasis; both are acceptable.

What exactly does ulam mean? Is “viand” the best translation?

ulam is the dish you eat with rice (the main dish/entree/protein). It’s not a general word for “food” (that’s pagkain).
“Viand” is a common dictionary translation but sounds old-fashioned in everyday English; “dish” or “main dish” is more natural.

What’s the difference between kanin and bigas?

Does sa lamesa mean “to the table” or “on the table”?

sa is broad; it can mean “to/at/on.” With dalhin, it usually implies destination: “to the table.”
If you need to be explicit about placement: sa ibabaw ng lamesa (“on top of the table”).
If you mean location (already there): nasa lamesa (“on the table/at the table”).

Is lamesa the same as mesa? Are there other words for “table”?

lamesa and mesa are both common (from Spanish). lamesa is very widely used; mesa is also fine.
A more formal/literary word for dining table is hapag (e.g., hapag-kainan = dining table).

How can I make this command more polite?

Add po (politeness particle) and use the respectful/plural ninyo: Dalhin po ninyo ang kanin at ulam sa lamesa.
Use the request prefix paki-: Pakidala ang kanin at ulam sa lamesa. / Pakidala mo ang kanin at ulam sa lamesa.
You’ll also hear: Pakidalhin ang kanin at ulam sa lamesa. (both forms are used in practice).

Could I use a different verb, like “put” or “serve,” instead of “bring”?

Ilagay mo ang kanin at ulam sa lamesa. = Put the rice and dish on the table.
Ilapag mo… = Set (them) down on the table.
For serving food: Ihain mo ang ulam sa mesa. = Serve the dish at the table.

Are other word orders possible?

Yes; Tagalog allows some flexibility for emphasis:
- Dalhin mo sa lamesa ang kanin at ulam. (focus on destination first)
- Sa lamesa mo dalhin ang kanin at ulam. (fronts the destination)
- Ang kanin at ulam, dalhin mo sa lamesa. (fronts the objects for emphasis)
The original is the most neutral.

How do I address more than one person (or be more formal)?

Use ninyo (you plural/respectful): Dalhin ninyo ang kanin at ulam sa lamesa.
With politeness: Dalhin po ninyo…
In informal writing you may see n’yo/nyo for ninyo.

How do I say this in other tenses/aspects?

Object-focus (same focus as dalhin):
- Completed: Dinala mo ang kanin at ulam sa lamesa. (You brought…)
- Progressive: Dinadala mo… (You are bringing…)
- Contemplated: Dadalhin mo… (You will bring…)
Actor-focus counterparts:
- Nagdala ka… (brought), Nagdádala ka… (are bringing), Magdádala ka… (will bring)

Why is there an h in dalhin (and not “dalin”)?

When an -in object-focus suffix attaches to a vowel-final root, Tagalog often inserts h for ease of pronunciation: dala
- -in → dalhin.
The same pattern appears in words like bilhin (from bili) and sabihin (from sabi).

Any quick pronunciation tips for the sentence?

dalhin: pronounce the h clearly (dal-hin).
ang ends with the velar nasal [ŋ] (like the “ng” in “sing”).
Typical stress: dal-HIN; LA-mesa/La-ME-sa (both heard), Ú-lam; KÁ-nin (you’ll hear slight variation by speaker/region). Context and rhythm often smooth these out in connected speech.