Learn Hardcore Filipino: Linisin mo ang kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan.

Linisin is the patient-focus (object-focus) imperative/infinitive based on the root linis, so it highlights the thing being cleaned as the topic: ang kusina. Maglinis is actor-focus; you would say Maglinis ka ng kusina, which highlights the doer and treats the kitchen as a non-topic object. Both mean “clean the kitchen,” but linisin… ang kusina feels more specific/definite about that kitchen.

Why is it mo and not ka?

In patient-focus clauses, the actor takes the genitive form, so 2nd person singular is mo. In actor-focus imperatives you use the nominative ka, e.g., Maglinis ka. So: Linisin mo… vs Maglinis ka….

Can I drop mo? Is Linisin ang kusina… acceptable?

Yes. Linisin ang kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan is fine as a general instruction (signs, checklists). Adding mo makes it explicitly addressed to “you” and is common in conversation.

How do I say this more politely?

Options:

Add politeness: Linisin mo po ang kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan.
Use paki-: Pakilinis ng kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan.
Ask a soft question: Puwede mo bang linisin ang kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan? For plural/polite addressees, switch mo to ninyo: Linisin ninyo po ang kusina….

What do I say to more than one person?

Use ninyo (you-plural/polite) or kayo in actor-focus. Examples: Linisin ninyo ang kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan. Actor-focus: Maglinis kayo ng kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan.

How can I say “after we eat” instead of “after dinner”?

Use pagkatapos + pronoun + verb:

After we eat (inclusive): Pagkatapos nating kumain, linisin mo ang kusina.
After you eat: Pagkatapos mong kumain, linisin mo ang kusina. You can also say Pagkatapos nating maghapunan….

Can I put the time phrase first?

Yes: Pagkatapos ng hapunan, linisin mo ang kusina. This is natural and often used. The command itself stays the same.

Why ang kusina but ng hapunan?

Ang marks the topic; here the kitchen (the patient) is the topic. Ng marks non-topic/genitive; in pagkatapos ng hapunan, ng marks the complement of pagkatapos (“after dinner”). In actor-focus, the kitchen would also take ng: Maglinis ka ng kusina.

Should it be ng or nang? I’m confused.

Here it’s pagkatapos ng hapunan (with ng). Use ng for objects/possessors and after pagkatapos. Use nang for adverbs and “when/so that.” Example: Linisin mo nang mabuti ang kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan. Both ng and nang are pronounced “nang.”

Where can I put words like na (“now/already”) or muna (“first”)?

They follow the first element of the clause, often after the pronoun: Linisin mo na ang kusina, Linisin mo muna ang kusina, or with politeness: Linisin mo na po ang kusina. They add urgency or soften the tone without changing the core meaning.

Does hapunan mean “afternoon”?

No. Hapon = afternoon; hapunan = dinner/supper. Other meals: almusal (breakfast), tanghalian (lunch), meryenda (snack).

Is pagkatapos sa hapunan okay?

In Tagalog, use pagkatapos ng, not sa, for “after”: pagkatapos ng hapunan. Sa is for locations or “at/on,” e.g., sa hapunan = “at dinner.”

How do I say this as a future statement, not a command?

Use the future form: Lilinisin mo ang kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan. That means “You will clean the kitchen after dinner.” Actor-focus alternative: Maglilinis ka ng kusina pagkatapos ng hapunan.

How do I pronounce linisin and hapunan?

Stress the second syllable in both: li-NI-sin (linísin), ha-PU-nan (hapúnan). The written ng is pronounced “nang.”

Can I use tapos instead of pagkatapos?

For “afterwards,” yes: Tapos, linisin mo ang kusina. For “after X,” prefer pagkatapos ng X. Don’t use Tapos ng hapunan to mean “after dinner;” say Pagkatapos ng hapunan or use two sentences: Tapos na ang hapunan. Linisin mo ang kusina.

How do I say “Clean this kitchen after dinner”?

Add a demonstrative with the linker: Linisin mo ang kusinang ito pagkatapos ng hapunan. The -ng links kusina to ito (“this”).