Nouns (Pangngalan) are usually preceded by case markers which are: absolutive (nominative), ergative (genitive), and oblique.
The absolutive types mark the actor of an intransitive verb and the object of a transitive verb.
The ergative types mark the object (usually indefinite) of an intransitive verb and the actor of a transitive verb. They also mark possession.
The oblique types are similar to prepositions in English. They mark things such as location and direction. Also, noun markers are divided into two classes: one for names of people (personal) and the second for everything else (common).
The Common singular marker for absolutive is "ang", for ergative is "ng" (pronounced as nang), and for oblique is "sa".
Halimbawa:
- Dumating na ang bisita. The visitor has arrived.
- Tinatawag ako ng bisita. The visitor is calling me.
- Pupunta sa bahay ang bisita. The visitor is coming to the house.
The Common plural marker for absolutive is "ang mga" (pronounced ma-nga), for ergative is "ng mga", and for oblique is "sa mga".
Halimbawa:
- Dumating na ang mga bisita. The visitors have arrived.
- Tinatawag ako ng mga bisita. The visitors are calling me.
- Pupunta sa mga bahay ang bisita. The visitor is coming to the houses.
The Personal singular marker for absolutive is " si", for ergative is "ni" and for oblique is "kay".
Halimbawa:
- Kinausap ni Peter si Mary. Peter talked to Mary.
- Pumunta sina Bob at Carol sa bahay ni Alice. Bob and Carol went to Alice's house.
- Na kay Nanay ang pera. Mother has the money.
The Personal plural marker for absolute is "sina", for ergative "nina" and for oblique is "kina".
Halimbawa:
- Sina Toto at Lina ang gumawa nito. It was Toto and Lina who did this.
- Kinuha nina Maria at Jose ang kotse. Maria and Jose took the car.
- Kina Nanay at Tatay ka pumunta. Go to Mom and Dad.