Learn Hardcore Filipino: Kainin natin ang masarap na panghimagas mamaya.

kainin is the patient/object-focus form of the verb, used when a specific thing to be eaten (the dessert) is the topic and marked by ang. It often sounds like “eat it/that” or “let’s eat it.”
kumain is the actor-focus form, used when the doer (we) is the topic and the food is indefinite or not singled out. Example: Kumain tayo ng panghimagas mamaya (Let’s eat some dessert later).

Why is it natin and not tayo?

Because the verb is in patient/object focus (kainin), the actor (“we”) must appear in the genitive form: natin. If you switch to actor focus (kumain), you use the nominative actor tayo: Kumain tayo ng masarap na panghimagas.

What’s the difference between natin and namin?

natin = “we/our” inclusive (includes the listener).
namin = “we/our” exclusive (excludes the listener). You can’t say “let’s” with namin; Kainin namin ang… means “We will eat it (not including you).”

How is kainin different from kakainin, kinakain, kinain?

They mark aspect:

kainin = infinitive/imperative/hortative (Eat it / Let’s eat it).
kakainin = contemplated/future (will eat it).
kinakain = imperfective/progressive or habitual (is eating it / eats it).
kinain = perfective/completed (ate it). For a neutral “we will eat it later,” say Kakainin natin ang… mamaya. For a suggestion/command, Kainin natin….

Why is it ang masarap na panghimagas and not ng masarap na panghimagas?

In patient focus (kainin), the patient/topic must be marked by ang. If you want the dessert to be indefinite (“some dessert”), switch to actor focus: Kumain tayo ng masarap na panghimagas.

What does na do in masarap na panghimagas?

This na is the linker that connects modifiers to nouns (adjective + noun). It’s not the particle na meaning “already/now.” Because masarap ends in a consonant, you use na (not -ng).

Can I move mamaya to another position?

Yes. Common options:

Kainin natin ang masarap na panghimagas mamaya.
Mamaya, kainin natin ang masarap na panghimagas. You can also be more specific: mamayang gabi (later tonight), mamayang hapon (later this afternoon).

Does mamaya mean later today only?

Usually yes—“later (today).” For a short while from now, you might hear maya-maya. For “tomorrow,” use bukas; for a vague future “later (not today),” say things like sa ibang araw (on another day).

How would I say this in actor focus?

Use kumain and mark the dessert with ng: Kumain tayo ng masarap na panghimagas mamaya. This sounds like “Let’s eat some delicious dessert later,” not singling out a specific dessert.

Can I drop ang and say “Kainin natin masarap na panghimagas mamaya”?

No. In patient focus, the patient must be an ang-phrase (or colloquial yung). So you need ang masarap na panghimagas (or yung masarap na panghimagas in casual speech).

Is Kainin natin… a strong command or a suggestion? How can I soften it?

It can be either, depending on tone. To soften or add politeness:

Kainin po natin ang… mamaya. (polite)
Pwede bang kainin natin ang… mamaya? (Could we…?)
Tara, kumain tayo ng panghimagas mamaya. (Let’s go, let’s eat dessert later.)

What does panghimagas literally mean? Is himagas the root?

Yes. himagas refers to a palate-cleansing bite after a meal; in modern usage it’s “dessert.” pang- is a prefix meaning “for (use) as,” so panghimagas = “(something) for dessert.” You’ll also hear minatamis (a sweet/sweetened dessert).

How do I pronounce these words?

kainin: ka-ee-NEEN (stress on the last syllable; often written with a stress mark as kainín).
panghimagas: pang-hee-MA-gas (stress on “ma”).
masarap: ma-sa-RAP.
mamaya: ma-ma-YA. The h in panghimagas is pronounced.

How do I talk about plural or indefinite desserts?

Specific plural: Kainin natin ang mga masasarap na panghimagas mamaya. (Let’s eat the delicious desserts later.)
Indefinite singular: Use actor focus: Kumain tayo ng masarap na panghimagas mamaya. (Let’s eat a/some delicious dessert later.)

Where do little particles like po, pa, muna, lang, na go?

They normally come right after the first element of the clause:

Kainin po natin ang masarap na panghimagas mamaya.
Kainin lang natin ang panghimagas mamaya. Be careful with meaning: na means “already/now,” so pairing it with mamaya (“later”) can be odd unless you mean something like “then let’s just do it later” (na lang… mamaya).

Is it okay to say Kain tayo instead of Kumain tayo?

Yes, in casual speech Kain tayo is very common for “Let’s eat.” With an object, you’ll also hear Kain tayo ng panghimagas mamaya, though the more complete form is Kumain tayo ng panghimagas mamaya.