Learn Hardcore Filipino: Linisin natin ang sahig bago kumain.

Natin is the inclusive “we/us,” meaning it includes the speaker and the listener. In this sentence it marks the agent (the doer) in an object‑focus construction, giving the sense of “by us/let’s.” So the overall feel is “Let’s (we including you) clean …” not “we (excluding you).”

Why is the verb linisin used instead of maglinis?

Linisin is the patient/object‑focus form of the verb (root: linis). It highlights the thing being cleaned (the floor), which then takes ang.
Maglinis is actor‑focus and highlights the doer.
Compare:
Linisin natin ang sahig. = Let’s clean the floor (the floor is the focus/topic).
Maglinis tayo ng sahig. = Let’s do some cleaning of the floor (focus on us doing the action; the floor is an object with ng, less definite).

Why is it ang sahig and not ng sahig?

Because the verb is in patient/object focus (linisin), the patient/topic (“the floor”) is marked by ang. If you switch to actor focus (maglinis), the object is marked by ng: Maglinis tayo ng sahig.

Is this a command or a suggestion? How strong is it?

With natin, it’s an inclusive suggestion/instruction: “Let’s clean the floor …” It’s cooperative rather than bossy. If you drop natin—Linisin ang sahig bago kumain—it reads like a general rule/instruction: “Clean the floor before eating.”

Can I move the “before” part to the front?

Yes: Bago kumain, linisin natin ang sahig. Both orders are natural. Fronting the time clause can add a slight emphasis on the timing.

Why is there no subject after bago? Should it be bago tayo kumain?

After bago, Tagalog commonly uses a non‑finite/infinitive form: bago kumain = “before eating.” You can add the subject for clarity: bago tayo kumain = “before we eat.” Both are correct; adding tayo makes the subject explicit.

Why not say bago kainin?

Kainin is the patient/object‑focus form, meaning “to eat it.” You use it when you name the thing being eaten:

Bago natin kainin ang cake, linisin natin ang sahig. = Before we eat the cake, let’s clean the floor. Without a specific object, use kumain (“to eat”). Hence bago kumain or bago tayo kumain.

Is kumain here past tense (“ate”)? Why not kakain or kumakain?

In main clauses, kumain can be “ate,” but after bago it functions as a non‑finite/infinitive (“to eat/eating”). You do not say bago kakain or bago kumakain. The idiomatic forms are bago kumain or bago tayo kumain.

Can I add softening words like “first,” “already,” or “please”? Where do they go?

Yes. Common enclitics go right after the first word of the clause.

Linisin muna natin ang sahig bago kumain. (first)
Linisin na natin ang sahig bago kumain. (already/now)
Linisin po muna natin ang sahig bago kumain. (polite) You can also add pa in the time clause: bago pa tayo kumain (“even before we eat”).

How do I make it more polite or softer overall?

Add po: Linisin po muna natin ang sahig bago kumain.
Use a polite request: Puwede bang linisin muna natin ang sahig bago tayo kumain?
Use paki- with the root for a request: Pakilinis ng sahig bago kumain. (Please clean the floor before eating.)

Does bago here mean “before” or “new”? I’ve seen bagong too.

Here bago is a conjunction meaning “before.” As an adjective meaning “new,” it becomes bagong before a noun: bagong kotse (new car). Context and form (bago + verb vs bagong + noun) distinguish them.

If I want to say “after eating,” what should I use?

Use pagkatapos or matapos:

Pagkatapos kumain, linisin natin ang sahig.
Matapos tayong kumain, linisin natin ang sahig.

What’s the nuance difference between “clean the floor” in general and specific ways of cleaning?

Linisin ang sahig is general. Specific verbs narrow the action:

Walisin ang sahig = sweep the floor
Lampasuhin ang sahig = mop the floor
Punasan ang sahig = wipe the floor
Kuskusin ang sahig = scrub the floor

What’s the difference between natin and namin here?

Natin = inclusive “we/us” (includes the listener), used for “Let’s …”
Namin = exclusive “we/us” (excludes the listener).
If you say Linisin namin ang sahig bago kumain, it means “We (not including you) will clean the floor before eating,” not a “let’s” invitation.