Alas siyete kayo dapat magsimula, pero alas otso kayo dumating.

You should start at seven o'clock, but you arrived at eight o'clock.

Breakdown of Alas siyete kayo dapat magsimula, pero alas otso kayo dumating.

• kayo: you
• pero: but
• dumating: to arrive
• alas siyete: seven o'clock
• magsimula: to start
• alas otso: eight o'clock
• dapat: should

Questions & Answers about Alas siyete kayo dapat magsimula, pero alas otso kayo dumating.

What does the word in bold, alas, mean, and how is it used?

Alas comes from Spanish and is used in Filipino to tell clock time. It’s followed by a number:

• alas siyete = 7:00
• alas otso = 8:00 You can add time-of-day: alas siyete ng umaga (7 a.m.), alas otso ng gabi (8 p.m.).

Why does the sentence use siyete and otso instead of Tagalog numbers like pito and walo?

For telling clock time, Filipino normally uses Spanish-based numbers: uno, dos, tres, kwatro, singko, sais, siyete, otso, nuwebe, diyes, onse, dose. So you say alas siyete, not alas pito. Tagalog numbers are used elsewhere, just not in the standard clock-time pattern.

Do I need a preposition like sa with time expressions? Is Sa alas siyete required?

No. A fronted time expression can stand alone: Alas siyete kayo dapat magsimula is natural. After the verb, many speakers say either:

• Dumating kayo ng/nang alas otso, or
• Dumating kayo sa alas otso (also heard). Putting the time first avoids the issue entirely.

Can I add a.m./p.m. to remove ambiguity?

Yes:

• alas siyete ng umaga = 7 a.m.
• alas otso ng gabi = 8 p.m. Other options: ng hapon (afternoon), ng tanghali (noon), ng madaling-araw (early morning).

What does dapat do here?

Dapat is a modal meaning “should/ought to.” It doesn’t carry tense by itself; time comes from context. In the first clause, dapat marks an obligation or scheduled expectation tied to 7:00.

Should it be magsimula or nagsimula after dapat if I mean “should have started”?

Both exist, with different nuances:

• Dapat kayong magsimula (alas siyete) = you are supposed to start at 7 (general rule/schedule).
• Dapat nagsimula (na) kayo (ng/sa alas siyete) = you should have started at 7 (past expectation not met). Adding na strengthens the “by then already” sense.

Why is it magsimula and not just simula?

Simula is a noun (“beginning”). Magsimula is the actor-focus verb (“to start/begin”). You use the verb after dapat: Dapat kayong magsimula.

Could I use mag-umpisa instead of magsimula?

Yes. Mag-umpisa is a near-synonym. Both are common: Dapat kayong mag-umpisa (alas siyete). If you’re starting something specific, use the object-focus verb: Simulan ninyo ang miting (alas siyete) or Umpisahan ninyo ang miting (alas siyete).

What does dumating express, and what are its other forms?

Dumating is the completed aspect (perfective) of “arrive.”

• Past/Completed: dumating
• Progressive/Imperfective: dumarating
• Future/Contemplated: darating So the second clause states a completed arrival at 8:00.

Is the word order kayo dumating normal? I thought Tagalog is verb–subject.

Both are fine, with slight emphasis differences:

• Neutral: Alas otso dumating kayo.
• Emphasizing “you”: Alas otso kayo dumating. Topicalizing pronouns before the verb is very common in speech.

Why is kayo used, not ka?

Kayo is:

• second-person plural (“you all”), or
• polite singular (“you” formal). Ka is singular/informal and only after the verb: Dumating ka. If addressing one person politely or a group, kayo is correct.

Do I have to repeat kayo in both clauses?

Not necessary, but it’s natural for clarity and rhythm. You could say:

• Alas siyete kayo dapat magsimula, pero alas otso dumating. (subject drop in the second clause; understood from context)
• Or keep it parallel, as in the original.

Is there a better “textbook” placement for kayo in the first clause?

A very standard phrasing is: Dapat kayong magsimula (alas siyete). You can also say Kayo ang dapat magsimula (alas siyete) to emphasize that it’s you (not someone else) who should start.

Can I use the formal inversion with ay?

Yes, more formal/written:

• Alas siyete ay dapat kayong magsimula, pero alas otso ay dumating kayo. In speech, people usually skip ay and use the original structure.

How else can I say “but”? Is pero the only option?

Alternatives:

• ngunit, subalit (formal)
• kaya lang, kaso (colloquial) Pero is the default in everyday speech.

How do I add the idea of “already” or emphasize the lateness?

Use na (already):

• Alas otso na kayo dumating. You can also say: Huli kayong dumating or Nalate kayo (colloquial borrowing) to label the result as “late.”

Is it okay to say the time after the verb instead?

Yes:

• Dapat kayong magsimula ng/sa alas siyete, pero dumating kayo ng/sa alas otso. Many speakers prefer ng after the verb for time expressions; sa is also heard. Fronting the time (as in the original) is very natural.

How do I say “exactly at seven”?

Common options:

• Eksaktong alas siyete
• Sa ganap na alas siyete (more formal) Example: Sa ganap na alas siyete kayo dapat magsimula.