Learn Hardcore Filipino: Malinis ang bakuran nila tuwing umaga.

In Filipino, the predicate usually comes first. Adjectives can function as predicates, so Malinis (“clean”) comes before the subject ang bakuran nila (“their yard”). An equally correct, more formal inversion is: Ang bakuran nila ay malinis tuwing umaga.

Where is the verb “is”? Is it omitted?

Filipino typically has no linking verb “to be” in the present. Adjectives and nouns can serve directly as predicates. So Malinis ang bakuran nila literally maps to “Clean [is] their yard.”

What does ang do in ang bakuran nila?

Ang marks the topic/subject phrase. It’s not exactly “the,” but it often corresponds to English “the” in subject position. Use:

ang with common nouns: ang bakuran (the yard)
si with personal names: si Maria Related markers:
ng marks non-topic objects/possessors: ang libro ng guro (the teacher’s book)
sa marks locations/recipients: sa bahay (at home)

What exactly does nila mean? How is it different from sila?

nila = third-person plural genitive (“their/by them”). It follows a noun to show possession: bakuran nila (their yard). It can also mark the doer in certain verb sentences: Nilinis nila ang bakuran (They cleaned the yard).
sila = third-person plural nominative (“they”). Example: Sila ang may-ari (They are the owners).

Can I say kanilang bakuran instead of bakuran nila?

Yes. Both mean “their yard.”

Post-nominal possessor (very common): ang bakuran nila
Pre-nominal possessive determiner (a bit more formal/emphatic): ang kanilang bakuran Note: kanilang is kanila + -ng linker attaching to the noun.

Can I move tuwing umaga to a different position? Is sa tuwing umaga also okay?

Yes. Time expressions are flexible:

Tuwing umaga, malinis ang bakuran nila.
Malinis ang bakuran nila tuwing umaga. (original)
Malinis tuwing umaga ang bakuran nila. Adding sa is also acceptable, often a bit more formal or when fronted:
Sa tuwing umaga, malinis ang bakuran nila.

What does tuwing mean, and what else can follow it?

tuwing means “every/whenever (recurring time).” You can say:

tuwing umaga (every morning)
tuwing Lunes (every Monday)
tuwing gabi (every night)
tuwing alas-sais (every 6 o’clock) Near-synonyms:
bawat (each/every): bawat umaga
kada (colloquial “per/every”): kada umaga

If I want to say “They clean the yard every morning,” how do I say it?

Use a verb:

Patient-focus (emphasizes the yard): Nililinis nila ang bakuran tuwing umaga.
Actor-focus (emphasizes the doers): Naglilinis sila ng bakuran tuwing umaga.

Could I say ang malinis na bakuran nila instead? What’s the difference?

That makes the adjective attributive (inside a noun phrase) rather than predicative (as the sentence’s main predicate).

Predicative (your sentence): Malinis ang bakuran nila… = “Their yard is clean…”
Attributive: ang malinis na bakuran nila = “their clean yard” (a noun phrase, not a full sentence by itself) Note: Since malinis ends with a consonant, the linker is na: malinis na bakuran.

What exactly does bakuran refer to?

bakuran is a yard or compound—an outdoor area around a house, often fenced. It’s broader than “garden.” Related words:

bakod = fence
hardin = garden
likod-bahay = backyard area

How do I make it plural if they have multiple yards?

Use the plural marker mga:

Malinis ang mga bakuran nila tuwing umaga. (Their yards are clean every morning.)

How can I emphasize “only their yard” is clean?

Add lang (“only”) to the focused element:

Ang bakuran lang nila ang malinis tuwing umaga.

Is the sentence okay with the ay inversion?

Yes. Formal/inverted style:

Ang bakuran nila ay malinis tuwing umaga. You can also front the time phrase:
Tuwing umaga, ang bakuran nila ay malinis.

How would the sentence change if I mean “our yard” (inclusive vs. exclusive)?

Exclusive “our” (not including the listener): Malinis ang bakuran namin tuwing umaga.
Inclusive “our” (including the listener): Malinis ang bakuran natin tuwing umaga.

Do I need any linker like na or -ng in the original sentence?

No. The adjective Malinis is the predicate, so no linker is needed. Linkers appear inside noun phrases (attributive use), e.g., malinis na bakuran, kanilang bakuran.