Usage Note
Sila primarily means 'they,' but it is also used to refer to a single person as a sign of high respect. This usage is common when speaking about or to elders, bosses, or people in positions of authority.
Examples
" Sila ay magkapatid. "
Natural Translation
They are siblings.
Literal Translation
They are siblings.
" Sila ay naglalaro. "
Natural Translation
They are playing.
Literal Translation
They are playing.
" Hindi sila makakapunta ngayon dahil may inaasikaso silang mahalagang gawain sa opisina. "
Natural Translation
They can't come today because they have important work to attend to at the office.
Literal Translation
Not they can-go now because have attending-to they important task at office.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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