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kani-kanina

just a short while ago

adverb ka-ni-ka-NI-na DERIVED Less Common
Illustration of the root word "kanina" (a while ago (today))
Illustration from root: kanina

From root: kanina

Usage Note

Kani-kanina emphasizes that something happened very recently. It is commonly paired with lang to stress the small amount of time that has passed.

Examples

Beginner

" Kumain ako kani-kanina lang. "

Natural Translation

I ate just a short while ago.

Literal Translation

Ate I just-a-short-while-ago only.

Intermediate

" Dumating siya kani-kanina lang. "

Natural Translation

He/She arrived just a short while ago.

Literal Translation

Arrived he/she just-a-short-while-ago only.

Advanced

" Kani-kanina lang ay narito pa siya, pero biglang umalis nang hindi man lang nagpaalam sa amin. "

Natural Translation

Just a short while ago he was still here, but he suddenly left without even saying goodbye to us.

Literal Translation

Just-a-short-while-ago only (marker) here still he, but suddenly left when not even said-goodbye to us.

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Word family

kanina has 1 related form built from the same root.

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