Kunin mo ang payong sa tabi ng pinto bago ka lumabas.

Take the umbrella by the door before you go out.

Breakdown of Kunin mo ang payong sa tabi ng pinto bago ka lumabas.

• mo: you
• ka: you
• pinto: the door
• bago: before

Questions & Answers about Kunin mo ang payong sa tabi ng pinto bago ka lumabas.

Why is kunin used here instead of kumuha?

Kunin is the object-focus form of the verb from the root kuha. In this sentence, the speaker is telling someone to take a specific thing: ang payong.

So:

• Kunin mo ang payong = Take the umbrella
• Kumuha ka ng payong = Get an umbrella

The second version sounds less specific and uses a different focus pattern.

What does kunin literally come from?

It comes from the root kuha, meaning get or take. The ending -in is added to form an object-focused verb: kunin.

In commands, kunin can mean something like:

• take it
• get it

When the object is then stated, you get Kunin mo ang payong.

Why is it mo in kunin mo, but ka in bago ka lumabas?