Learn Hardcore Filipino: Nasa kusina ang mga tinidor at plato. - The forks and plates are in the kitchen.

Filipino often omits a separate “to be” verb. The location phrase with nasa functions as the predicate meaning “is/are at/in/on.” In Nasa kusina ang mga tinidor at plato, nasa kusina is the predicate and ang mga tinidor at plato is the subject.

What does nasa mean, and how is it different from sa?

nasa = “to be located at/in/on” when you’re stating where the subject is (often as the predicate).
- Example: Nasa kusina ang mga plato.
sa = a general preposition “at/in/to” used with many verbs or in existential sentences.
- Examples: Pumunta siya sa kusina. / May mga plato sa kusina.
As a predicate, many speakers accept Sa kusina ang mga plato, but nasa is the most idiomatic in this kind of sentence.

Why does the sentence start with nasa kusina instead of the subject?

Tagalog prefers predicate‑first order. The new or emphasized information (the location) comes first: nasa kusina (predicate) + ang mga tinidor at plato (subject). A subject‑first version is also correct and slightly more formal: Ang mga tinidor at plato ay nasa kusina.

What do ang and mga do here?

ang marks the subject/topic for common nouns.
mga pluralizes the noun phrase that follows. Together, ang mga tinidor at plato refers to forks and plates as the subject.

Do I need mga before both nouns (tinidor and plato) to make both plural?

For maximum clarity, repeat it: ang mga tinidor at mga plato. In everyday speech, many people say ang mga tinidor at plato and still mean both are plural; context usually makes it clear. In careful writing or when ambiguity matters, put mga before both nouns.

Why not add an -s like platos?

Filipino pluralizes with mga, not with -s, even for Spanish loanwords. Say mga plato and mga tinidor, not “platos/tinidors.”

How do I pronounce the words?

nasa: NA‑sa
kusina: ku‑SI‑na
ang: “ang,” with ng as a single sound [ŋ]
mga: roughly “ma‑ngá” (two syllables; the ng is [ŋ])
tinidor: ti‑ni‑DOR
plato: PLA‑to
at: “at” with a clear final t

Can I say Sa kusina ang mga tinidor at plato?

Yes. Many speakers accept Sa kusina … as a predicate. Nasa is the more idiomatic choice when asserting location, but both are widely understood with no change in meaning here.

How do I make it negative (“not in the kitchen”)?

Use wala … sa:

Wala sa kusina ang mga tinidor at plato. Avoid Hindi nasa kusina … for location; wala … sa is the natural pattern.

How do I ask “Where are the forks and plates?”

Use Nasaan: Nasaan ang mga tinidor at plato? Answer with Nasa … (e.g., Nasa kusina.)

How do I say “There are forks and plates in the kitchen” (introducing them, not specific ones)?

Use the existential may with sa:

May mga tinidor at plato sa kusina.

Do I need ay in this sentence?

No. Ay is an inversion marker used (often in formal style) for subject‑first order: Ang mga tinidor at plato ay nasa kusina. In neutral speech, predicate‑first without ay is standard.

Can I use the conversational yung instead of ang?

Yes in casual speech: Nasa kusina yung mga tinidor at plato. In formal writing, prefer ang.

Can I replace the nouns with a pronoun later?

Yes. For inanimates, ito/iyan/iyon and their plural forms are natural:

Nasa kusina ang mga ito. (These are in the kitchen.) Some speakers use sila for inanimate things, but many reserve siya/sila for people. Mga ito/iyan/iyon is a safe choice.

How do I say “on the kitchen table/counter”?

On the table: Nasa mesa sa kusina ang mga tinidor at plato.
More explicit “on top of”: Nasa ibabaw ng mesa sa kusina ang mga tinidor at plato.
On the counter: Nasa counter sa kusina ang mga tinidor at plato.

Can I use nasa with times?

No. Use sa for times: sa Lunes (on Monday), sa umaga (in the morning). Nasa is for physical (or possession‑like) locations: Nasa akin ang tinidor (“The fork is with me/in my possession”).