kaysa
káysa with stress marks
than
Usage Note
Kaysa is the standard Tagalog conjunction for making comparisons ('than'). It introduces the second element in a comparative construction: 'mas maganda kaysa...' (more beautiful than...). It is used in both formal and informal registers and is essential for expressing preferences and comparisons.
Examples
" Mas mabait siya kaysa sa akin. "
Natural Translation
She is kinder than me.
Literal Translation
More kind she than to me.
" Gusto ko ang mansanas kaysa saging. "
Natural Translation
I like apples more than bananas.
Literal Translation
Like I the apple than banana.
" Mas pipiliin kong maglakad papunta sa trabaho kaysa magtiis sa trapik tuwing umaga. "
Natural Translation
I would rather walk to work than endure the traffic every morning.
Literal Translation
More choose I to-walk going to work than to-endure to traffic every morning.
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