Learn Hardcore Filipino: Magluto tayo ng itlog at kumain ng tinapay.

Tayo means we/us inclusive (includes the speaker and the listener), which is why it naturally expresses the idea of let’s. Kami is we/us exclusive (excludes the listener). Compare:

Magluto tayo... = Let’s cook...
Magluluto kami... = We will cook (but not you).

Why is magluto used instead of magluluto?

Magluto is the base/imperative form and is perfect for suggestions or commands: Magluto tayo... = Let’s cook.... Magluluto is future (we will cook). So:

Magluto tayo... = Let’s cook...
Magluluto tayo... = We will cook...

Why is kumain used and not kakain or the root kain?

For um- verbs like kain, the form kumain serves both as past and imperative/hortative (command/suggestion). So Kumain tayo... = Let’s eat.... Kakain is future (will eat). Colloquially, you’ll also hear the clipped command Kain tayo, which is informal but very common.

Do I need to repeat tayo after the second verb?

No. Filipino often states the subject once and omits it in the next coordinated clause if it stays the same. All are acceptable:

Magluto tayo ng itlog at kumain ng tinapay. (natural)
Magluto tayo ng itlog at kumain tayo ng tinapay. (more explicit)
Magluto at kumain tayo... (also fine)

What does ng do before itlog and tinapay?

Here ng marks the direct object of an actor-focus verb. With actor-focus forms (magluto, kumain), the thing acted upon is introduced by ng:

Magluto... ng itlog (cook eggs)
Kumain... ng tinapay (eat bread) It also often implies indefiniteness (some eggs, bread).

What’s the difference between ng and nang, and which one is this?

In the sentence, it’s ng (object marker). Key differences:

ng: marks direct objects/possessors; also the linker when attached as -ng (e.g., magandang bahay).
nang: adverbial linker or conjunction (e.g., tumakbo nang mabilis, Nang dumating siya...). They are pronounced the same, but spelled differently by function.

Is itlog singular or plural here?

Without a number or mga, itlog can be understood generically or as some egg/eggs. To be clearly plural, say mga itlog. With numbers: isang itlog (one egg), dalawang itlog (two eggs), etc.

Why isn’t tinapay pluralized?

Tinapay is often treated as a mass noun (bread in general). If you mean multiple bread items (e.g., loaves/rolls), you can say mga tinapay, but in many contexts tinapay alone is natural.

Is it okay to mix mag- and um- verbs in one sentence like this?

Yes. Magluto (from luto) naturally takes mag-, and kain uses the um- pattern (kumain). Mixing affixes across different roots is normal and does not require parallel morphology.

Could I say Magluto at kumain tayo instead?

Yes. Magluto at kumain tayo is grammatical and means the same thing. The original sentence just places tayo after the first verb, which is very common.

How do I make the objects definite, like “the eggs” and “the bread”?

Switch to object-focus (-in) to topicalize definite objects:

Lutuin natin ang mga itlog at kainin natin ang tinapay. Here ang marks the definite objects, and -in on the verbs aligns with object focus.

How do I say this as a future plan instead of a suggestion?

Use future forms:

Magluluto tayo ng itlog at kakain ng tinapay. = We will cook eggs and (will) eat bread.

What’s the difference between tayo, natin, and namin?

tayo: inclusive we/us (nominative/subject) → Magluto tayo...
natin: inclusive our/by us (genitive) → Lutuin natin...
namin: exclusive our/by us (genitive) → Lutuin namin... (not including you)

How can I make the sequence explicit, like “then”?

Add a sequencer:

Magluto tayo ng itlog tapos kumain ng tinapay.
Magluto tayo ng itlog, pagkatapos ay kumain ng tinapay. These make the order (cook first, then eat) clearer.

Is there a more formal way to say “Let’s cook…” using tayo at the front?

Yes, in formal/written style you can front the subject with ay (often contracted):

Tayo’y magluto ng itlog at kumain ng tinapay. This sounds formal/poetic; everyday speech prefers Magluto tayo...

How would I say it in the past: “We cooked eggs and ate bread”?

Use past forms:

Nagluto tayo ng itlog at kumain ng tinapay.

Where do I put the politeness particle po?

Place enclitics like po after the first word of each clause:

Magluto po tayo ng itlog at kumain po ng tinapay. If you repeat tayo, then: Magluto po tayo... at kumain po tayo...

Can I use sa instead of ng for the objects?

Not here. With actor-focus verbs, the patient/theme takes ng. Sa typically marks location, direction, or recipients:

Kumain tayo sa bahay (Let’s eat at home) — location
Kumain ng tinapay — object/patient (bread)