On Filipino Grammar
Any language is easy to use by its native speaker only if it is being used for conversational purposes. However, when it is used formally, proper grammar is required; and this surely poses a big challenge even to native speakers of that language.
Having said that, here are a few details that a Filipino speaker must follow if she wants to be grammatically correct, especially when formal writing is involved.
Daw/Raw, Din/Rin, Dito/Rito
In conversational or informal use, the Filipino words daw, din, dito may be used interchangeably with raw, rin, and rito respectively. However, when formal Filipino language use is concerned, there are grammatical rules to follow.
On Daw, Din, and Dito
Use any of these ‘d’ words when the final sound of the word preceding it is consonantal.
Examples:
1.Nahulog daw siya sa hagdan kahapon.
2.Masarap din magluto si Mommy.
3.Matindi ang tag-ulan dito.
On Raw, Rin, and Rito
Use any of these ‘r’ words when the final sound of the word preceding it is vowel (a, e, i, o, u), a semivowel (w, y), or ‘d’ (to avoid the duplication of the ‘d’ sound).
Examples:
1.Ibili mo raw siya ng bagong cellphone.
2.Sa bahay rin pala ang handaan.
3.Hindi puwedeng maglakad rito.
The Last Leaf
*The Filipino word daw/raw is a reporting particle that expresses that the information in the sentence is secondhand; as in “they say,” “he said,” “reportedly,” “supposedly.”
“Manonood raw sila ng sine sa Sabado.” [She said that they would watch a movie on Saturday.]
*The Filipino particle din/rin functions as the counterpart of the English ‘too,’ ‘also,’ or ‘after all.’
“Ako rin.” [I too.]
“Ito ay mabigat din.” [This is also heavy.]
“Ang matagal na ligawan ay sa kasalan din nauwi.” [The long courtship ended up in marriage after all.]
*The Filipino word dito/rito is the exact counterpart of the English pronoun here.
“Pumunta ka rito bukas.” [Come here tomorrow.]
