The Tagalog word nina is placed before names in certain contexts. The singular counterpart is ni.
bahay nina Mark at Lisa
house of Mark and Lisa
house of Mark and Lisa
ang guro nina Tom at Jim
the teacher of Tom and Jim
In Tagalog grammar, nina is called a “plural actor / possessive personal article.”
Kinain nina Pepe at Maria ang tinapay.
Pepe and Maria ate the bread.
Pepe and Maria ate the bread.
Tiningnan nina Lisa at Jim ang bahay.
Jim and Lisa looked at the house.
Sinuot nina Dora at Ana ang binigay mo.
Dora and Ana wore what you gave.
You don’t need to enumerate all the names because nina implies that more than one person is involved.
Dinumihan nina Selya ang damit.
Celia (and the others) soiled the dress.
Celia (and the others) soiled the dress.
Compare this to the Tagalog words si and sina, which are also used in front of names.
KAHULUGAN SA TAGALOG
Tumutukoy sa pangmaramihan ng ni.
