Tagalog Grammar: NG Markers

The NG group of markers in the Filipino language are genitive markers. Their primary role is to mark nouns that are not the main topic of the sentence but are still essential to the action or idea being expressed. Unlike the ANG markers, which highlight the topic or focus, the NG markers typically signal the object of the verb, the doer of the action when the doer is not the focus, or a possessive relationship between nouns.

These markers are central to understanding how Tagalog sentences work because the language follows a focus system rather than a strict subject–object order. This means that the same sentence can shift in meaning depending on whether the noun is marked by ANG or NG. In addition to marking participants in an action, NG markers are also used in everyday phrases that show ownership, description, and attribution.

The NG Markers

ng	+singular common noun
ng mga	+ plural common noun
ni	+ singular personal name
nina	+ plural people’s names

Functions of NG Markers

1. This group of Filipino markers often shows ownership, possession or relationship. In English, they are usually translated as the word of or as the apostrophe + s (‘s) added to a person’s name.

– laruan ng bata (the kid’s toy)

– pangulo ng Pilipinas (president of the Philippines)

– hawla ng mga kalapati (lit. cage of the pigeons)

– pamangkin ni Conrad (Conrad’s nephew)

– sinturon ni Ivy (Ivy’s belt)

– bahay nina Jose at Reina (Jose and Reina’s house)

– negosyo nina Alfredo at Berto (Aflredo and Berto’s business)

Note: In everyday spoken Tagalog, the word ng is often pronounced and written as ’nong or ’nung in casual conversations. For example, Kaibigan ’nung kaklase ko means my classmate’s friend. Learners should note that while ng is the standard form taught in grammar, ’nong and ’nung are very common in natural Tagalog speech.

2. NG and NG MGA also links a verb to the doer or an adjective to the thing it describes.

– bumili ng tinapay (bought some bread)

– nag-ihaw ng isda (grilled a fish)

– nagsampay ng mga damit (hung the clothes)

– nagligpit ng mga kalat (cleaned up the mess)

– ang bigat ng kahon (The box is heavy.)

– ang lalaki ng mga mansanas (The apples are so big.)

3. NG and NG MGA also express different kinds of specifications, similar to the English wordof.

– takip ng bote (lit. cap of the bottle)

– pares ng sapatos (pair of shoes)

– balahibo ng pusa (fur of a cat)

– grupo ng mga estudyante (group of students)

– hunin ng mga ibon (chirping of birds)

4. NG can also indicate the direction or destination of an action, especially with movement verbs in actor-focus.

– umuwi ng bahay (went home ⇒ to the house )

– pumunta ng palengke (went to the market)

– bumaba ng hagdan (went down the stairs)

– sumakay ng jeep (rode a jeepney)

Using NG Markers with Verbs

In object-focus sentences, the structure works very much like the English passive voice, because the object becomes the focus and the actor is backgrounded with NG/NG MGA/NI/NINA.

– Ininom ng bata ang gatas. (The child drank the milk.)

– Ang gatas ay ininom ng bata. (Lit. The milk was drank by the child.)

Verb: ininom (drank → IN-verb, object-focus)

ANG Phrase (topic): ang gatas (the milk = object-focus)

NG Phrase (non-topic doer): ng bata (by the child = object focus)

– Binili ni Anne ang libro. (Anne bought the book.)

– Ang libro ay binili ni Anne. (Lit. The book was bought by Anne.)

Verb: binili (bought → IN-verb, object-focus)

ANG Phrase (topic): ang libro (the book = object-focus)

NI Phrase (doer, personal name): ni Anne (by Anne)

– Tinulungan nina Alex at Larah ang pulubi. (Alex and Larah helped the beggar.)

– Ang pulubi ay tinulungan nina Alex at Larah. (Lit. The beggar was helped by Alex and Larah.)