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may

to have; possession

verb MAY Native origin Common

Also means

May can also function as an existential particle meaning 'there is' or 'there are', equivalent to 'mayroon' in full form.

Usage Note

May is one of the most fundamental words in Tagalog, functioning as an existential or possessive quasi-verb. It is the short contracted form of 'mayroon' and is used before nouns. It cannot be negated; 'wala' is its negative counterpart.

Examples

Beginner

" May bago akong sapatos. "

Natural Translation

I have new shoes.

Literal Translation

Have new I shoes.

Intermediate

" May magandang balita siya para sa ating lahat ngayon. "

Natural Translation

He/She has good news for all of us today.

Literal Translation

Has good [ng] news he/she for to-the our all today.

Advanced

" Kahit may sakit siya, pumasok pa rin siya sa trabaho dahil maraming kailangang tapusin bago matapos ang linggo. "

Natural Translation

Even though he was sick, he still went to work because there was a lot to finish before the week ended.

Literal Translation

Even-though has sickness he, entered still he to work because many need-to finish before end the week.

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