Masarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi.

Our dinner is delicious tonight.

Breakdown of Masarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi.

• ay: to be
• masarap: delicious
• ngayong gabi: tonight
• hapunan: the dinner
• namin: our

Questions & Answers about Masarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi.

What does the particle ang do in this sentence?

Ang marks the topic/subject (nominative) and makes the noun phrase definite. Here, ang hapunan namin = “our dinner” as the topic. In adjective-first sentences like this, the predicate comes first, then the ang-phrase. In casual speech, yung often replaces ang: Masarap yung hapunan namin...

Why is there no word for “is” between Masarap and ang?

Tagalog normally doesn’t use a copula (“to be”). Adjectives and nouns can serve as predicates on their own. So Masarap functions as “(is) delicious.” Basic pattern: Predicate + ang-phrase.

What exactly does namin mean? Does it include the listener?

Namin = “our” (first person plural exclusive), which does not include the listener. If you want to include the listener, use natin: Masarap ang hapunan natin ngayong gabi.

Why is the possessive namin placed after hapunan? Can it go before?

Post-nominal possessive is the default: hapunan namin (“our dinner”). To put it before the noun, use the attributive form aming: ang aming hapunan. Both are correct; hapunan namin sounds very natural and slightly less formal than aming hapunan.

What does ngayong gabi consist of, and why not ngayon gabi?

Ngayong gabi = ngayon (“now/this [time]”) + linker -ng + gabi (“evening/night”) → “tonight.” When a modifier directly precedes a noun, you attach the linker -ng. Since ngayon ends in -n, it becomes ngayong. Therefore, ngayon gabi is ungrammatical; say ngayong gabi. Another option is sa gabing ito (“this evening”).

Can the time phrase go first?

Yes. Ngayong gabi, masarap ang hapunan namin. Fronting time expressions is common and natural.

How do I negate this sentence?

Put hindi before the predicate: Hindi masarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi. Softer: Hindi masyadong masarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi (“not very delicious”).

How do I turn it into a yes–no question?

Insert ba after the predicate (or the first element): Masarap ba ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi? Use rising intonation.

Is there any difference between Masarap ang hapunan namin and Masarap ang aming hapunan?

Meaning is the same. hapunan namin (possessive after the noun) is neutral and very common; aming hapunan (before the noun) can feel a bit more formal/emphatic.

How do I express comparative or superlative?

• Comparative: Mas masarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi (kaysa kagabi).
• Superlative: Pinakamasarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi (sa linggong ito). You can also intensify: Napakasarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi or Talagang masarap ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi.

If there are multiple dishes, do I pluralize masarap?

Optional. As a predicate, singular is fine: Masarap ang mga ulam. To highlight plurality, you can pluralize the adjective: Masasarap ang mga ulam. With a collective like hapunan, keep masarap.

What’s the difference between hapunan and ulam?

Hapunan = the dinner meal as a whole (time-of-day meal). Ulam = the viand/dish eaten with rice. Masarap ang ulam namin ngayong gabi focuses on the dish itself, not the entire dinner.

Can I use yung instead of ang?

Yes, in casual speech: Masarap yung hapunan namin ngayong gabi. Yung is the colloquial definite marker, widely used in conversation.

How can I add politeness?

Use po/ho: Masarap po ang hapunan namin ngayong gabi. Place it after the predicate or where it sounds natural.

Why is it ngayong with ng, not nang?

Ngayong is ngayon + linker -ng. The separate word nang is a different particle used in other contexts (e.g., before verbs/adverbs or in time expressions), not as a linker between a modifier and a noun.

How do I say “last night” and “tomorrow night”?

• Last night: kagabi — Masarap ang hapunan namin kagabi.
• Tomorrow night: bukas ng gabi (also heard: bukas sa gabi) — Masarap ang hapunan namin bukas ng gabi.

Is there a more exclamatory way to say this?

Yes: Ang sarap ng hapunan namin ngayong gabi! This uses the noun sarap (“deliciousness”) plus ng to link the thing described; it feels more emphatic than Masarap ang...

Any quick pronunciation tips?

• Masarap: ma-SA-rap (stress on SA).
• hapunan: ha-PU-nan (stress on PU).
• ngayong: starts with the velar nasal [ŋ] (as in “sing”); say [ŋa-YONG]. The final -ng is linked smoothly to the preceding word.