# Ilocano particles

Ilocano particles are an aspect of Ilocano grammar. Particles lack a meaning independent of a phrase or clause. For the most part, they impart meaning to the phrase or clause in which they occur.
Ilocano has two morphological types: enclitic and independent.

## Enclitic

Enclitic particles are very similar to the enclitic pronouns, in that they are tightly bound to the previous word with which they have a close relation. And, similar to the pronouns, their form depends on the last sound of the preceding word. These particles occur primarily with the Predicate of the sentence or clause.

### -(e)n

The punctual particle lends the meaning of completion and punctuality or amazement. The speaker asserts that the idea expressed in the predicate is completed, or to emphasize that it is currently underway. Or, it can express an intense emotion.
* Forms:
** -en - After consonants and diphthongs
** -n - After simple vowels
* With Verb Predicates
The particle lends the meaning of now, presently, with progressive formations.
In the negative, the particle has the meaning of any more.
Or, that a decision was made.
With the perfective, the idea is that the action had completed before the utterance.
When used in conjunction with the Future Particle -(n)to, the idea is that the action will have been completed some time in the future, in other words, a future perfect. Or, it used to assert future actions completed or states achieved.
* With Noun Predicates
Nouns do not show aspect, in other words, completion or non-completion. Nevertheless, noun predicates with -(e)n express some form of perfective aspect and assertion of a fact. Also, -(e)n can impart the speaker's surprise that the fact is contrary to previous assumptions.
In example 1, the speaker is amazed. The speaker could have assumed that it was going to be another type of building. In example 2, the speaker had not visited Julia for a long time.
* With Pronouns
Pronouns used with this particle stand out among a set of others.
* With Adjective Predicates
Similar to nouns, -(e)n imparts perfectiveness.
The perfective particle commonly accompanies the Nag- formation and adds further emphasis and adds wonderment.

### -(n)sa

The speculative particle lends the meaning of speculation or wonderment or uncertainty on behalf of the speaker.
* Forms:
** -nsa - After simple vowels
** -sa - After consonants and diphthongs
When used with -(e)n, the speculation is about something that may have occurred in the past, but the speaker is not sure about the validity of the statement.

### -(n)to

The future is expressed with -(n)to attached to the Neutral form of the verb.
It has two forms:
* -nto - After simple vowels
* -to - Elsewhere: consonants and diphthongs (e.g., -ay, oy, etc.)
Examples:

## Independent

Independent particles are words in their own right and do not attach to the previous word.

### apo

Respect particle. Used in addressing superiors or strangers. It can be used with titles of family members, their names or titles of authority.

### aya

Particle used in questions expressing wonder, surprise or doubt.

### bassit

An adjective in its own right, bassit means small. But, as a particle, it is used to express a very short period of time. It can also be used in commands to express what is requested of the listener is trivial and/or will not take too long.

### biit

Used to express a short period of time. Similar to bassit, it can be used in requests and softens the tone.

### di

Negative particle.
* It has no difference in meaning with saan. Like saan, personal pronouns and enclitic particles attach to it. Unlike saan, however, the ligature, a/nga, is not needed.
But, if the personal pronoun is ko, it is replaced by ak.
* Used to create the negative or opposite of adjectives or other modifying elements. Similar to the negating prefixes in English: un-, in-, il-, ir-, etc.
* Sometimes used to introduce the apodosis in contrary-to-fact sentences.

### gayam

* Used to express the speaker's discovery of new information. The information may be contradictory to what the speaker thought or believed.
* Expresses the speaker's sudden recollection of something previous forgotten.

### kadi

* Question particle. Similar to Tagalog "ba", Japanese "ka", and Chinese "ma."
* Used in questions that implore the listener.
* When used in a contrary fashion, it comes close to sarcasm.
* Softens commands as a question.
* Used to counter a negative statement.

### kano

Hearsay. Reporting particle that expresses that the information is second-hand; he said, she said, they said, it was said, reportedly, supposedly, allegedly.

### kas(la)

Particle used in expressing similarity: like, as.

### ketdi

Used to express the speaker's negative attitude toward the situation or fact being discussed. It is often used with -n attached to it or to the subject of the sentence. It is also used concede or counter what was expected.

### ketno

Condition particle, expresses the unexpected condition to happen, if.

### koma

The optative particle is used to express the following:
* Hope or necessity
* The protasis of contrary-to-fact sentences
* In commands to entreat or make a plea to the listener
* In the idiom Sapay koma ta, I hope (that).

### la/laeng

A limitative particle: only, just.

### latta

* Limitative particle. It is interchangeable with la/laeng in most cases.
* In other situations, it imparts precision (just this one and no other) or finality (this is it, I've made up my mind). The above examples can also be interpreted in the following manner.
Note how pay is used. It indicates how he continued to ignore the speaker. It does not have a one-to-one translation.

### man

* Used with imperatives. Softens the tone to a request.
* When used as a response, it expresses the speaker's frustration.
* When used with interrogative words, it forms the indefinite series of pronouns.

### met

Conversation shift particle.
* Adds what is being said to what was previously mentioned: also, too.
* Shifts the focus of the conversation from one subject or matter to another.
* In negative sentences, the addition of met compounds the speaker's pessimism towards the situation.
* Also, it can be used in contrary statements.
* Used for emphasis.

### ngamin/gamin

Asserts the speaker's attitude toward the cause of some action: because. The speaker may have a negative or contrary attitude. It is as if the speaker is saying, "If only you did what I told you...", "Regardless of what was said, I think that..."
NOTE: Gapu (ta) is the neutral word for because and the formal and literary counterpart of ngamin.

### ngarud

* Used to express a result, i.e., then, so; or an affirmation, indeed.
Notice the use of -(e)n for emphasis.
* Change of decision.
* Adverbial phrases

### ngata

Probability
* Used mostly in questions to solicit the opinion of the listener as the speaker is uncertain.
* In negative statements, likewise, expresses the uncertainty of the speaker.
* In positive statements, expresses the speaker's speculation.

### ngay

Elicitation
Used in questions when the speaker encourages the listener for a response.

### pay

* Pay can be considered the opposite to -(e)n. It has the meaning of continuation, whereas -(e)n denotes punctuality. Whereas, some particles can co-occur within the same phrase, pay and -(e)n are mutually exclusive.
Contrast with...
Other examples:
* Meaning of more, in addition to

### piman

Used to express pity.

### uray

Used when the facts are disregarded, akin to: even (if), although, nevertheless.