Is it "accepted" in Filipino/ Tagalog grammar to use "siya" when referring to things?

Question

I often hear people use "siya" when referring to things

like, "Effective siya." (referring to a product). I thought "siya" means he/she or him/her as taught in my elementary class.

Answer 1

It is tolerated but it is not accepted in correct Tagalog grammar.  "Ito" could be more grammatically correct in referring to things.

Answer 2

Sure

Answer 3

although i barely passed tagalog classes i think it should be"yun."

Answer 4

gotta love those pinoy cuties.

Answer 5

"siya" refers to a person.

"ito", "iyon", iyan" refer to things.

Answer 6

no. i would recommend to use eto (this) 0r iyan ( that).

Answer 7

There are objects in society with which some people could get so attached with that they tend to portray them with the properties unique only to human beings.

I have also observed this grammatical error, on people close to me, and how this fondness extends to the most bizarre objects leaves me at my wit's end. "Hanapin mo siya!"   (Look for him/her)  Would get me looking all over and nearly called the police for what turned out to be the broomstick!

Answer 8

it has always been used that way but it is grammatically wrong. "siya" is used to refer to people only, not even animals. for things, like in cooking, they usually say "ayan,luto na siya," is not proper.

it is more appropriate to say "ito,iyan" or better yest, use the name of the product.

Answer 9

I'm a Filipino and this bugs me too.

I find that I hear "siya" used to refer to inanimate objects mostly with people from Southern Luzon (Batangas area). That's where they speak true-blue Tagalog, so maybe it's correct after all?

I never use it myself, though! I use "ito" and its variants.

Answer 10

I think "ito" is the correct one.

Answer 11

it can be used in things or people.

Answer 12

I think it's accepted. But it's better if you will say "ito" instead of "siya" when referring to things. =)

Answer 13

no, its very offensive

Answer 14

to be honest, in the philippines talking in obviously wrong grammar becomes acceptable depending on the speaker.  if celebs or the sosyal peeps start saying stuff like "effective siya" then it becomes a fad, altho its wrong.

Answer 15

now, it's acceptable

Answer 16

You're correct, it's bad grammar.  But in a playful or poetic context, it can be acceptable.  By using "siya" towards a product, you're essentially also giving it life and sometimes a touch of humor.

Hope this helps!

Answer 17

i think they're supposed to be only used when referring to like people or animals.