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Pronoun & Particle Ordering

The enclitic sequence

Enclitics attach after the first full word

Pronouns and particles cluster there.

📊 Enclitic order (after the first word)
Slot Examples
1 short particles na, pa, ba
2 pronouns ko, mo, ka, ako
3 longer particles daw, naman, kasi
special merge ko + ka → kita
💬 Examples
Kumain na ako.
I already ate.
📝 na + ako after the verb
Mahal kita.
I love you.
📝 kita = 'I...you' (special portmanteau)
Short particles precede pronouns (mostly)

A fixed sequence.

💬 Examples
Kumain na ba siya?
Has he/she eaten yet?
📝 na + ba + siya order
Bibigyan na lang kita.
I'll just give (it) to you.
📝 na + lang + kita
ko + ka merge into kita

A special 'I-(verb)-you' form.

💬 Examples
Mahal na mahal kita.
I love you very much.
📝 kita = ko (I) + ka (you)
Tutulungan kita.
I will help you.
📝 kita instead of 'ko ... ka'