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Pseudo-verbs

gusto, ayaw, kaya, dapat

Pseudo-verbs express want, like, can, must

gusto, ayaw, kaya, dapat, kailangan.

📊 Pseudo-verbs
Word Meaning Example
gusto want / like gusto ko
ayaw don't want / dislike ayaw ko
kaya can / able kaya ko
dapat should / must dapat akong
kailangan need kailangan ko
💬 Examples
Gusto kong kumain.
I want to eat.
📝 gusto + ng-pronoun + linker + verb
Ayaw niyang umalis.
He/She doesn't want to leave.
📝 ayaw = don't want
They take a ng-set 'subject'

gusto ko (lit. 'liked by-me').

💬 Examples
Gusto ko ng kape.
I want (some) coffee.
📝 gusto ko ng + noun
Gusto ko ang kape.
I like the coffee.
📝 ang = specific (the coffee)
dapat / kailangan = should / need

Obligation and necessity.

💬 Examples
Dapat kang mag-aral.
You should study.
📝 dapat + linker + verb
Kailangan kong umuwi.
I need to go home.
📝 kailangan + ng-pronoun + linker