Back
Beginner

Existential

may, mayroon, wala

may / mayroon = 'there is / have'

Expressing existence and possession.

📊 Existence & possession
Word Use Example
may there is / have (+ noun) may pera ako
mayroon there is / have (+ linker) mayroon akong pera
wala there is none / don't have wala akong pera
💬 Examples
May libro ako.
I have a book.
📝 may + noun directly
Mayroon akong libro.
I have a book.
📝 mayroon + linker (-ng on ako)
wala = 'there is none / don't have'

The negative existential.

💬 Examples
Wala akong pera.
I don't have money.
📝 wala = none / don't have
Walang tao.
There's no one.
📝 walang = wala + linker
Existential is not the locative 'nasa'

'have/exists' vs 'is located at'.

💬 Examples
May tao sa bahay.
There is someone in the house.
📝 may = existence
Nasa bahay ang tao.
The person is in the house.
📝 nasa = location of a known thing