The use of "BA" in Tagalog. Why sometimes BA is at the end of sentence and sometime is not.?

Question

I do not understand the use of "ba" when making questions in Tagalog. What confuses me is that "ba" sometimes is placed at the end of the sentence. "Kadarating mo lang ba?" then this one "Magdadagdag ba kayo ng gasolina?" Can "ba" be placed at the end of the sentece and still the sentence makes sense? example "Magdadagdag kayo ng gasolina ba?" if not WHY NOT?. as you could see I am a beginner (one month already) I am using English to understand Tagalog that is why the sentences in Tagalog does not make much sense to me yet. Thanks Maraming Salamat Give details please.

Answer 1

It's based on usage.



The more you get exposed to conversations

in Filipino or Tagalog, the faster you will remember

the sentence patterns.



Take for example: "Have you (singular) eaten?"

Correct Translation: "Kumain ka na ba?" (emphasis on the act of eating)

Awkward Translation: "Kumain na ba ikaw?"

Acceptable Variation: "Ikaw ba'y kumain na?" (emphasis on YOU)



While "Have you (plural; group) eaten?"

Correct Translation: "Kumain na ba kayo?"

Awkward Translation: "Kumain kayo na ba?"



Why doesn't "magdadagdag kayo ng gasolina ba" work?

It sounds awkward. Filipinos are more used to hearing

"magdadagdag na ba kayo ng gasolina."



"Ba" at the end assumes the thought behind

the action is complete.



For example, in "Kadarating mo lang ba?"

"Kadarating" means "has just arrived", which

is a complete idea.



"Ba" in the middle assumes the thought behind

the action is incomplete.



For example, in "Magdadagdag ba kayo... ng gasolina?"

"Magdadagdag" means "to add", which is

incomplete, because it is not clear exactly what

will be added.



I hope this helps. :-)



Hmmm... I'll turn this into a future Tagalog lesson in my Tagalog podcast.

Answer 2

"ba" is often placed at the end of a sentence when it is past tense.



It's really hard to explain because Filipino is a very complicated language.

Answer 3

Kumain ka na ba? Have you eaten? Nagtanghalian ka na ba? Have you eaten your lunch yet?