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Correct Usage of the Pronoun "Lu"

Probably, only a few can recognize the word "lu" when it is all by itself. To recognize it, we probably have to use it in sentences. So, that's exactly what I shall do:

The plural "Lu" (They):
1. Ati na lu ri Paing. - Paing (and others) are here now.
2. Ala lu pa ri Aida at Helen. - Aida and Helen are not yet here.
3. Anta lu reng mariposa? - Where are (they) the butterflies?

I can't think of another use of "lu" aside from these in which the presence or absence of someone or something is expressed. So, one just has to remember that there should always be "ati", "ala" or "anta" when using ""lu". Its use is very limited.
For everything else, we use the pronoun "la", and not "lu".

Examples:
1. Minta la Angeles deng anac. - The children (they) went to Angeles.
2. Mamangan la ri Paing. - Paing and others (they) are eating.
3. Dacal la reng mariposa qng ardin. - The butterflies in the garden (they) are many.

You can not say, "Ati na la ri Paing."
You can not say, "Ala la pa ri Aida at Helen" without a change in meaning.
You can not say, "Anta la reng mariposa" without a change in meaning.

Similarly, you can not say:
"Minta lu Angeles deng anac." or
"Mamangan lu ri Paing." or
"Dacal lu reng mariposa."

Any question so far?
If everything is clear, then you will find the following extra lesson easy:

The singular "Yu" (He/She/It):
1. Ati yu Los Banos y Edwin. - Edwin (He) is in Los Banos.
2. Ala yu pa?   - Is he (or she) not here yet?
3. Anta yu careni y Edwin? - Which of these is (he) Edwin?

Like its plural form "lu", "yu" is used only with with "ati", "ala" and "anta",
and hence, has very limited use.
You can not say, "Ati ya Los Banos y Edwin".
You can not say, "Ala ya pa?" without changing its intended meaning.
You can not say, "Anta ya careni y Edwin?"

For everything else, we use the more common term which is "ya".
As in:
1. Maganaca ya y Edwin. - Edwin (He) is kind.
2. Magbalic ya y Aida. - Aida (She) is coming back.
3. Nu ya carin y Helen? - Where is (she) Helen?

Any question?
Hope you've learned the correct usage of the pronouns "lu" and "la",
as well as of "yu" and "ya". It's easy and the learner just has to practice
using them.

In a previous lesson, we studied the limited use of the pronouns "lu" and "yu". We learned that they can be used only with the words, "ala", "ati" and "anta", as in :
Ala lu. Ati lu. Anta lu?
Ala yu. Ati yu. Anta yu?

Now let's review the difference between "lu and "la" in usage, as well as the
difference between the use of the singular forms, "yu" and "ya". Remember that "lu and "la" just mean the same thing, "they". It's just that they are used differently. The same way with "yu" and "ya" which both stand for the English "he", "she" or "it", but are used differently.

We have to be careful in their usage, since using one instead of the other, although grammatically correct, could make a difference in sense or meaning. Consider the ff.:

The plural ones:

Ala lu. - They are not here. or, They are not around.
Ala la. - They don't have any. or, They have none.

Anta lu? - Where are they?
Anta la? - Here, give them to me.

The singular ones:

Ala yu. - He / She is not here.
Ala ya. - He / She does not have any.

Anta yu? Where is it? Where is he / she?
Anta ya. (or just Ante) Give it to me.

So, do you notice the difference?

Here are some longer sentences to show their differences:

Ala lu neng abak deng alipatpat.
Ala la sulu reng kwartu.
Ala lang tali reng sapatus.

Anta lu reng damulag?
Anta la reng byabas a tatalnan mu.

Ala yu pa ing mestra mi.
Ala ya pang laman ing atyan ku.
Ala yang kanan ing pusa.

*****************************************************
In a recent lesson, we learned to distinguish "yu" and "ya", which in English, both mean "he / she / it". We learned when to use "yu" and when to use "ya". Likewise,
we learned how and when to use each of their plural forms, the synonyms, "lu" and "la". See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AkademyangKapampangan/message/3616

In connection to the pronoun "yu", my attention was called on regarding the other two "yus" which are also pronouns but with different meanings.

Here are samples to differentiate the three "yus":

1. Ala yu pa? (Isn't he/she/it here yet?)
2. Ing bale yu, nu ya anti dagul? (Your house, how big is it?)
3. Ikit yu ne ing bale me? (Have you seen our house?)

In the first example, yu means "he / she/ it".
The word is
a personal pronoun,
in the third person,
singular in number,
in the nominative case.

In the second example, yu means "your".
The word is a personal pronoun,
in the second person,
plural in number,
in the possessive case.

In the third example, yu means "you".
The word is a personal pronoun,
in in the second person,
plural in number,
in the nominative case.

So, the three of them, although with the same spelling and pronunciation,
are entirely different in meaning.

To the student trying to learn the language, pronouns are the most difficult.
It is in this area where he should concentrate.
Atyu keng nung makananu nong gagamitan anya pin agad yang mabibistung
e tune Kapampangan uling maging balid ya pamag-salita.

*****************************************

We use "yu" (second person, plural in number) when talking formally with an older person, or just anybody one wants to address with politeness. Ordinarily, we just use "mu" (singular "your") when talking to just one person, and we use "yu" (plural "your") when talking to more than one. However, we deviate from the normal way of speaking, in this case the use of "mu", and use "yu" instead when talking formally with an elderly or a person we are not familiar with, as a sign of courtesy.

Examples:
Mimingat ka pota mabasa ya ing baru mu.
Be careful, your clothes might get wet.

Mimingat ko pu pota mabasa ya ing baru yu.
Be careful, sir, your clothes might get wet.

Do you notice how we change "mu" into "yu" even when only one person (singular)
is addressed? Do you also notice that the rest of the sentence conforms with the
respect or politeness one wants to show? For instance, in the second sentence, do you see how the singular pronoun "ka" was changed to its plural form, "ko"? Do you also notice the word "pu" with it to add more politeness to the sentence? So, as you see, it is not just "yu" that is used to suggest respect. Its other inflected forms, such as "ikayu", "kayu" ("you" in the nominative case), and "kekayu" (yours; of you).

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Page Updated Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:53pm EST