'Tayo na' or 'Tara na': Does the difference really matter?
Throughout DreamWorks Animation's Filipino-centric film Forgotten Island, main characters and best friends Raissa and Jo repeat the phrase, "Tayo na," signifying they're about to go do something together.
The phrase has been used by Liza Soberano (who plays Raissa) and H.E.R. (who plays Jo) as well as fellow Pinoys BINI, Jo Koy, Lea Salonga, and Manny Jacinto, among others, in promoting the movie.
Apparently, it didn't sit well with some Tagalog-speaking Filipinos on social media, who said the correct phrase should have been the more casual, "Tara na." Others, meanwhile, argued that the distinction wasn't worth making a fuss over.
How big is the difference between the two expressions that it has warranted a social media debate?
What's the difference?
According to Benjamin Mendillo, commissioner of Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, "tayo na" is the more formal way of saying "tara na," a point repeatedly made in online discussions.
"Both expressions convey the same idea of inviting someone to go or do something together. The difference doesn't matter so much because it lies mainly in their level of formality and usage, rather than their meaning," he told PhilSTAR L!fe.
"Tayo na" implies a collective institutional action, he explained.
"Karaniwan itong ginagamit sa mga institusyonal, opisyal, at pampanitikang konteksto," Mendillo said, adding that the phrase denotes not just the actions of two people but those of a whole community.
"Sumasalamin ito sa pambansang pagkakaisa, pamumuno, at adhikaing magkasamang bumangon ang isang pamayanan tungo sa iisang layunin at mithiin," he continued.
According to Mendillo, "tara na" also denotes a more personal invitation between friends.
"Ito ay magaan, may palagayang loob, at karaniwang ginagamit sa pagitan ng mga magkakapantay," Mendillo said. "Ito ay kalimitang ginagamit sa 'di pormal na pag-uusap at nagpapahiwatig ng pag-anyayang kaswal, bayanihan, at/o malalim na ugnayang kagyat na paanyaya."
KWF chairperson Atty. Marites Barrios-Taran told L!fe that "tayo na" is more inclusive than "tara na."
"'Tayo na' is more Filipino-centric. Inclusive po ang 'tayo' dahil ipinapalagay na kasama ang lahat kahit ang wala pa o hindi sangkot sa talakayan," she said, adding that "tara" is "generic, group-based, at hindi panlahat."
Which phrase to use?
Anthropologist Raizel Albano said choosing when to use "tayo na" and "tara na" depends on the situation.
"Tara na" denotes a sense of urgency, according to Albano. The phrase is also "usually used in informal situations with the same and younger age groups."
Meanwhile, "tayo na" is appropriate for when "you're suggesting that you go together now, but not necessarily right now," she told L!fe.
It can also be used when you're speaking to an older age group. That would be like saying, "Tayo na po siguro," added Albano. Likewise, the phrase would be appropriate in conversations with people supposedly higher in rank, such as a boss, group leader, member of the clergy, teacher, or guest speaker.
There could also be a romantic twist to the phrase, she added. If someone asks their companion, "Tayo na?" colloquially, Filipinos would take that to mean, "Are we officially a couple?"
