Cebuano Teacher

How To Ask for the Price in Cebuano

2012-01-21T02:42:00.000-08:00

One of our basic activities is shopping for our basic needs like food, clothing and what-have-you, there are three major places to go when you do your shopping or buying: a) the sari-sari store, the tiny neighborhood store where you can get stuff for small quantities or amounts, b) the mirkado, or wet market where food items like fish, meat, veggies and fruits can be bought and c) the massive malls, where you can buy almost everything. There are advantages and disadvantages when you buy in each one. In the Philippines, you will find sari-sari stores in almost all corners.The neighborhood sari-sari is convenient when you need something very urgently. Here are some expressions which will help you when you buy or do some shopping:

General expressions:

How much is this? that? that one over there?

Tagpila man 'ni? 'na? 'to?

Here you are/ Here's my payment.

Bayad.

Please give me one (piece).

Palihug hatagi ko ug usa (ka buok).

How expensive! Discount please.

Mahala uy! Hangyo, palihug.

In malls: (salesclerks in malls are comfortable entertaining customers in English, but it will not hurt if you try the following)

Do you accept credit cards/dollars?

Modawat ba kamo ug credit card/dolyar?

Can I try this/it on?

Puydi ko 'ni isukod?

Is there a large size of this?

Na-a bay large ini?

Is there another color?

Na-a bay lain kolor?

These are just a few expressions that I think will be useful. Write me if you want to know more or better yet, Attend my classes!!!

You can suggest other practical lessons. Magkita ta sunod. Ayu-ayo.

How to say Merry Christmas and other Holiday Greetings in Cebuano

2011-12-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

The Philippines is known to celebrate Christmas season the longest in the entire world. As early as the month of September, malls begin to play Christmas music and start displaying colorful Christmas decorations. The climax of the season will be Christmas Eve when families and friends gather together to share the Christmas feast, exchange gifts and together give thanks for the blessings they enjoyed the entire year. And then preparation for New Year's Day begins. If you happen to be invited to a Filipino Christmas Party in Cebu be ready to say the following greetings:

Merry Christmas
Malipayong Pasko

Happy New Year
Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig

A Prosperous New Year to all!
Mabungahong bag-ong tuig sa tanan.

Try to do a little research as to what to expect in a Christmas Party and if you can join in the activities, it would be cool. Prepare a piece you can sing in a videoke and take part in the games. Give token cash to kids, and enjoy the meal before you. (worry of indigestion the following day!)

Malipayong Pasko ug mabungahong bag-ong tuig akong mga higala!!! Salamat sa tanan. Magkita ta sa 2012. Ayu-ayo!

How to talk about your job in Cebuano

2011-12-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

Congratulations! you have now learned the basics, now let's start with talking further about yourself. For starters, let's learn about the different terms for occupations in Cebuano.

Writer
Tigsulat, Manunuwat

Teacher

Maistra/Maistro ; Propisora/propisor

Actor/Actress

Aktor/Aktris

Architect

Arckitekto/Arkitekta

Archaeologist

Arkeyolohiko/arkiyolohika

Baker

Panadiro/Panadira

Barber

Barbiro/Tigtupi

Butcher

Matadiro

Carpenter

Panday

Clerk

klerk/eskribyente

Dentist

Dentista

Doctor/Physician

Doktor/Magtatambal

Driver

Drayber/tigmaniho/tsuper

Electrician

Iliktrisyan

Engineer

Inhinyiro

Firefighter

Bombiro/bombira

Journalist

Peryodista

Lawyer

Abogado/Abogado

Mechanic

Mekaniko

Minister

Pastor

Pilot

Piloto

Psychologist

Sikolohiko/sikolohika

Secretary

Sikritarya

Dialogue:

A: What's your job?

Unsay imong trabaho?

B: I'm a teacher.

Usa ako ka maistra.

A. Where do you teach/work?

Asa ka nagtudlo/nagtrabaho?

B: I teach/work at San Roque Elementary School.

Nagtudlo/nagtrabaho ko sa San Roque Elementary School.

A. Thank you.

Salamat.

B. You're welcome.

Way Sapayan.

You may notice that there are underlined words in some lines, this means that you can substitute these words with what is relevant in your situation.

Write me if you have any question.

Magbalitaay na lang ta, ayu-ayo.

How to ask for clarification in Cebuano

2011-12-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

When you are trying to learn Cebuano, everything around you sounds strange
and different from what you are learning. It's because native speakers speak automatically and in a natural speed. However, when you actually listen closely, you'd realize that you know and are familiar with what people are saying. Here are some expressions that you can use when you want to ask for clarification.

Please repeat.
Usba palihug.

Slowly please.
Hinay-hinay palihug.

Can you please write it?
Puydi nimu isuwat?

When you are trying to learn a new language, it is best that you carry a small notebook where you can take down new words that you encounter while walking or overhear. One technique is to eavesdrop. While waiting for the jeep or sitting in a cafe, you overhear people talking and some words may be familiar to you while the rest of the statement may not. But from the sentence fragments that you can take down, you may be able to guess or supply the other missing words. So I hope you will try this technique and give me some feedback. Magbalita-ay ta. (let's update each other) Sige, ayu-ayo!

How to Introduce Yourself in Cebuano

2011-11-21T07:02:00.000-08:00

One way to endear one's self to the locals is to establish rapport with them. To start this process, it is good to give some information about yourself, just a tad. You will be able to slowly worm yourself into the community and win the trust of the locals. So let's start this short lesson.

I am Andy.
Ako si Andy.

I am from New York.
Taga-New York ko. (Taga + place tells someone's place of origin)

I am still single.
Ulitawo/Daga pa ko. (mental applause / people will start finding you a partner :-)/Ulitawo is a single male while Daga is a single female.) Filipinos have a tendency to matchmake, so if you don't want to be teased or paired with someone of the opposite sex, you can omit this information.

I am 30 years old.
Traynta anyos ko.
(In expressing one's age, use the Spanish numbers, because the Cebuano equivalent is quite wordy)

I am an engineer.

Usa ako ka engineer.

I still suggest that you be careful in giving away too many information about yourself, especially the sensitive ones, this basic autobiographical information is good enough. Just stating one's name is enough also. Thus you can say:

Maayong buntag, (Good morning)

Ako si Andy. (I am Andy.)

Practice these simple statements and you're set.

Cebuano Grammar Update - Expressing Ownership

2011-11-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

Hi loyal readers, I have created a new Cebuano Grammar lesson. Please see the list and click Cebuano Grammar Lesson 6.

Cebuano Grammar Update - Demonstrative Pronouns

2011-10-23T07:13:00.001-07:00

Hi folks, I have added a new grammar lesson. Check it out on Grammar Lesson 5 - Demonstrative Pronouns on the right column of this page. If you want to submit your answers for verification, send it to: mmaata@hotmail.com and I will be most happy to tell you how you fared in the exercise. Sigi! Ayu-ayo.

10 Romantic Cebuano Expressions

2011-10-05T04:09:00.000-07:00

If you are coming to visit someone you are romantically involved with in Cebu, you have to be ready and equipped with some romantic expressions to win your lady's hand and heart (body and soul). You have to show your romantic side, exaggerate it if you must because Filipino ladies want to be wooed and pampered. Here are some romantic expressions that will be handy to you. You just need to learn to use them in the appropriate situation.

1. I miss you.

Gimingaw ko nimo.

2. I love you.

Gihigugma ko ikaw.

3. I am in love with you.

Nahigugma ko nimo.

4. I want to marry you.

Gusto ko mangasawa nimo.

5. You are the one I have been looking for.

Ikaw ang dugay ko na nga gipangita.

6. My heart is yours.

Imo ang akong kasingkasing.

7. I like you.

Ganahan ko nimo.(generic)/Nakagusto ko nimo.(romantic)

8. I will love you till the day I die.

Higugmaon ko ikaw hangtud sa adlaw sa akong kamatayon.

9. Please accept my love and end my suffering.

Palihug dawata ang akong gugma ug hununga na ang akong pag-antos.

10. I was born for you and you were born for me.

Ako gipakatawo alang kanimo ug ikaw gipakatawo alang kanako.

Of course you probably have romantic expressions that are not listed here and if you have any question about the expressions or if you need more romantic expressions, simply enrol in my online lessons for a minimum of 10 hours and you will learn more. Hangtud sa sunud nga leksiyon. Ayu-ayo!!!

Cebuano Expressions for your Safety and Security

2011-06-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Before I continue, let me just apologize for my failure to bring you your regular Cebuano lesson the past few months. I have been involved with a myriad of things that a multi-tasker like me could not resist doing, a habit that I should start curbing.

Anyway, one of the things that foreigners should have when travelling is the knack for smelling signs of trouble. Here are some expressions or words that a foreigner can use when danger is imminent. The other alternative is to run or avoid being in a sticky situation.

1. Go away, please - Pahawa palihug (to sound more assertive, just remove palihug)
2. I'm going to call the police - Tawagon nako ang pulis. (Make sure you have the number of the local police)
3. I will report you to the Barangay - I-report ta ka sa Barangay (The Barangay is the smallest local government unit that is composed of about 100 families and disputes in villages are settled by the Barangay officials.)
4. Help - Tabang
5. Help me - Tabangi ko
6. Fire - Sunog (This is more effective in calling the attention of other people to your direction or to create a diversion)
7. What do you want? - Unsay imong tuyo/ Unsay imong kinahanglan?
8. Where is the police station? - Asa man ang istasyon sa pulis?

Here are some practical tips to help you avoid getting in danger and these may apply not only in the Philippine situation but in other countries as well.

1. Avoid walking in dark alleys and streets.
2. Avoid disputes with drunks as they tend to be sensitive and are easily offended by a mere curios look.
3. Don't flaunt your sophisticated gadgets. Your sophisticated gadgets will reduce your credibility when you say you have no money or glamorous job.
4. Make sure your residence is securely locked before leaving and before sleeping at night.
5. Be aware of criminal modus operandi in the place you are planning to visit. Watch this video for further knowledge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrHQ8QPVuh

6. Be alert of your surroundings and most of all, try to befriend and win the trust of the locals by learning their culture and communicating well with them. Having more friends means having more allies and assistance.

Good luck and enjoy your stay in the Philippines....

Expressing One's Ability/knowhow To Perform An Action

2011-03-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

Foreigners are often asked by the locals if they can speak the local language. The question goes like this:

Q: Kahibawo ka ba magBinisaya? ("Kahibawo" comes from "makahibalo" and shortened to 'kahibalo' it is used to ask if someone has the knowledge or knowhow to perform an action or knowledge about something. It goes with the verb in the infinitive form which is mag+basic verb or mag+noun. For now, the lesson is limited to some verbs that are common and used more frequently.

Another way to ask this of a foreigner is:

Q: Makasulti ka ba ug Binisaya? (This means "Can you speak Visayan?")

Continue reading the dialogue:

Q: Kahibawo ka ba magBinisaya?
Do you know how to speak Visayan?

Answer 1: O, kahibawo ko magBinisaya.

Yes, I know how to speak Visayan.

Answer 2: Dili. Dili ko kahibawo magBinisaya.

No, I don't know how to speak Visayan.

Answer 3: O, kahibawo ko gamay.

Yes, I know a little.

Study the following sentences:

Makasayaw ko ug Tango.
I can dance the Tango.
dance: sayaw

Kahibawo ko mosayaw ug Tango.
I have knowledge to dance the Tango.

Kamao ko mosayaw ug Tango.

I know how to dance the Tango.

To express our ability to perform something, the basic thing to remember is the simplest structure which is: simply use the prefix maka + basic verb.   For example:

can dance - makasayaw
can cook - makaluto
can sing   - makakanta
can speak Visayan - makasulti ug Binisaya

Now, let's go further by creating sentences from the above mentioned verbs:

1. Makasayaw ko ug Tango. (I can dance the Tango.)
2. Makaluto ko ug adobo. (I can cook adobo.)
3. Makakanta ko ug Japanese nga kanta. ( I can sing Japanese songs.)
4. Makasulti ko ug Binisaya. (I can speak Visayan.)

Another way to express one's ability to perform an action is to use the word "kamao". "Kamao" means possessing the ability to perform something. So, let's apply this to the previous sentences.

1. Kamao ko mosayaw ug Tango. (I possess knowledge to dance the Tango.)
2. Kamao ko magluto ug adobo. (I possess knowledge to cook adobo.)
3. Kamao ko mokanta ug Japanese nga kanta. (I possess knowledge to sing Japanese songs.)
4. Kamao ko mosulti ug Binisaya. (I possess knowledge to speak Visayan.)

You might wonder what is the difference between the two sets of sentences structurally, so let's analyze the second set. As you notice, they all start with the word "kamao" followed by the subject "ko" and the verb in the infinitive form (to+ verb). In Visayan, the infinitive form will depend on the focus of the verb (This will be discussed thoroughly in my one-on-one lessons). You may change "ko" with any subject you wish to use.

You can use any of the following subjects to replace "ko."

1. Siya (he/she)
2. Akong nanay (my mother)
3. Imong igsuon laki (your brother)
4. ang mga estudyanti (the students)

And the last way is the use of the word "kahibawo". "Kahibawo" means knowledge. So, you are literally saying: I possess knowledge to do something. Let's apply this in the sentences that we have been studying thus far:

1. Kahibawo ko mosayaw ug Tango. (I possess knowledge to dance the Tango/I know how to dance the Tango.)
2. Kahibawo ko magluto ug adobo. (I possess knowledge to cook adobo./I know how to cook adobo.)
3. Kahibawo ko mokanta ug Japanese nga kanta. (I possess knowledge to sing Japanese songs.)
4. Kahibawo ko mosulti ug Binisaya. ( I possess knowledge to speak Visayan.)

So, do you think you can now say: Kahibawo ko mosulti ug Binisaya/Kamao ko magBinisaya/makasulti ko ug Binisaya to the locals? I hope so. I close this topic with a challenge. Try saying the following in Visayan, the first one who gets the 5 items correctly gets a free lesson in Visayan:

1. Can you dance the cha-cha?
2. Can you cook sinigang?
3. Can you play the guitar?
4. Do you know how to play football?
5. Can you sing the "Star-spangled banner?"

Good luck!

illustration from wn.com

Follow me at Twitter @cebuanoteacher

2011-01-16T05:19:00.000-08:00

Hi, loyal readers of Cebuanoteacher, I have good news for you all! You can now follow me at Twitter where you can ask me anything you want to know about the Cebuano language. I have created this account so that you will have instant answers to your queries, so see you all there!

Negating Ideas in Cebuano: How to use "wala"

2010-08-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

Another way of expressing negation in Cebuano is by using "wala." Study the following:

Walay kwarta (no money)
Walay uyab (no girlfriend/boyfriend)
Walay trabaho (no job)
Walay tawo (no one/no person)
Walay oras (no time)

What word is used to negate the existence of something?
What links between the negative word and the object or noun?
Can you make similar expressions?

Now, let's add an actor or subject to the expressions.

Wala koy kwarta. (I have no money.)
Wala siyay uyab. (He/she has no sweetheart.)

Now, study the differences between the first set of sentences and this second set. Where is the placement of the linker 'y'? Can you now create a general pattern as to the placement of the linker "y"

Walay trabaho si Tony. (Tony has no job.)
Walay tawo sa kwarto. (There is no one in the room.)
Walay oras ang manager karon. (The manager has no time now.)

In this set of sentences, where is the location of the subject in the first sentence? How about in the last sentence?

Can you make your own sentences now?

How about giving the following sentences in Cebuano. Send your answers to mmaata@hotmail.com

1. I have no job.
2. There is no one in the house.
3. I have no time now.
4. Mike has no money.
5. The manager has no sweetheart.

If you get the 5 sentences correctly, you get one hour free lesson. Add my Skype: cebuano_teacher.

Sige. Magkita na lang ta sa Skype.

How to Negate Ideas in Cebuano

2010-08-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

In the previous entries, we have created simple descriptive sentences. Here are some of them:

Daku ang balay.
(The house is big.)

Lawum ang dagat.
(The sea is deep.)

Gamay ang tindahan.
(The store or the shop is small.)

Nindut ang buwak.
(The flower is pretty.)

Buotan ang tawo.
(The man is kind.)

Now, give the negations of the sentences above in English.

The house isn't big.
The sea isn't deep.
The store (or the shop) isn't big.
The flower isn't pretty.
The man isn't kind.

How do we say these negative English sentences in Cebuano? Study the following:

Dili daku ang balay.
Dili lawum ang dagat.
Dili daku ang tindahan.
Dili nindut ang buwak.
Dili buotan ang tawo.

What is added at the beginning of the sentences above? How different is it from a positive descriptive sentence?

Right. We simply add the negative word "Dili"

Now, you can try making your own negative descriptive sentences.

If you have any question, simply leave a message at the chat box and I will try to answer it.

See you next ish!

Different Reasons People Tell Me Why They Want to Study Cebuano

2010-08-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

Whenever someone writes me about my online course in Cebuano, I always think about his reasons or objectives for studying it. And when I ask this, I always receive responses ranging from serious to funny to downright impossible. Some of them say that they want to learn Cebuano because it is their fiancee's language and they want to be able to talk with their fiancee because they could see that she is struggling in communicating in English. This kind of reason not only tells me that the person is very sensitive towards his fiancee but also there is genuine intention to be acculturated, which, I believe, is really important in order to make the relationship strong and solid. Another reason is work-related. I also believe this is a very legitimate reason to study Cebuano. If you are dealing with people who speak Cebuano more so if you plan to stay long in a place that speaks Cebuano, especially in Cebu, where people are proud of their language, then you should voluntarily learn it. Don't wait for someone to tell you to learn it. Learn it in any way you can. The people will wonder why you never learned the language if you have stayed in a place for a long period of time, like two or three years. The locals would be wondering how come you have stayed for quite some time already, yet you never try to communicate in the local language. A foreigner should realize that whether it is a personal reason or a work-related reason, it is always easier to win the trust and friendship of the community if you talk to them using the local language. Learning the local language separates you from an ordinary tourist who does not stay long enough to learn the culture and communicate using the local language. An ordinary tourist becomes an easy prey to the locals who rip off tourists, simply for economic reasons and an ordinary tourist would not realize this. Whereas, someone who stays long enough and talks to the locals in their native language, would know why the locals behave this way towards foreigners. Now, that is another issue to discuss. One of the funny and impossible reasons that I received from someone was, because he suspected that his wife was doing something funny behind his back and he wants to be able to read and decipher text messages between his wife and his wife's relatives. I told him outrightly, I am not a detective so I can not help him and hire a detective if he wants to know his wife's activities. Another reason, which I tell my students (this came from me) is always the shock value of it. The locals will be shocked at first, to know that a foreigner understands and speaks their language (even if it is broken at the beginning) and then later on, will be impressed. They would immediately be drawn towards that foreigner, having earned their trust and friendship. You would know if a local likes you because they would like to spend time with you, if they don't, then something is not right with the way you behave towards them or they are suspicious of you (now, this is extreme, but it does happen).

Cebuano Essentials: Asking Permission using Puydi

2010-07-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Puydi is the word for can or may in Cebuano and they go with the infinitive form of the verbs in all focuses. We shall discuss focuses of verbs in the succeeding lessons. In the past lessons we have used the following verbs with gusto and kinahanglan:

moadto

mokaon

molakaw

moinum

mopalit

Let's ask permission to go to the CR. This phrase is the first sentence using 'puydi' that teachers teach because it is very useful inside the classroom and also because it is frequently used, the structure will easily be memorized by the learners. Let's try it:

Puydi ba ko moadto sa CR?

Where is the location of puydi? The sentence begins with the word 'puydi'
What comes after the word 'puydi? The yes/no indicator 'ba' (Remember, when you see 'ba' in the question, that question requires an answer of O (yes) or Dili (no)
What comes after the question marker 'ba'? It's the subject in the sentence which happens to be from the subject marker set. ( ako, ikaw, siya, kita, kami, kamo, sila) Of course, you can also use other subjects such as:

si Toshi
ang bata
silang Toshi ug Hiroki
ang mga istudyanti

Now, try making sentences using sentences from the following:

1. puydi - mopalit - bata - kendi
2. puydi - ko - moadto - akong kwarto
3. puydi - si Homma - molakaw - quadrangle
4. puydi - kami - moinum - beer - unyang gabi-i

If you can create the correct sentences, just email me and I can check it for you.

Daghang Salamat!

Cebuano Essentials: Expressing Basic Needs Part III

2010-06-28T03:40:00.000-07:00

From our previous lessons, you now know how to express what you want and what you need. In this lesson, you will know how to express what you like and what you like to do.

The word for like in Cebuano is ganahan. As we all know, ganahan is used to generally tell things that we prefer or like such as:

I like fruits.

In Cebuano you say: Ganahan ko ug prutas.

Let us study the structure of this sentence:

In which part of the sentence can you find ganahan?
What comes after it? The word "ko." Do you know what is the function of ko in this sentence? It is the subject and actor in the sentence.

Study these other sentences:

Ganahan si Tony ug basketball.      Tony likes basketball.
Ganahan ang bata ug kendi.           The child likes candy.
Ganahan sila ug gulay.                    They like vegetables.

As you know, the words after "ug" are the direct objects. In English, they are the object of the verbs. They answer the question: "what"

Can you identify the objects in the sentences above?   The objects are: basketball, candy, and vegetables.

Can you change the following in Cebuano?

1. She likes pastries.

2. Joe likes computer games.

3. You like peanuts.

4. He likes beer.

5. I like sports.

If you think your answers are correct, you can send me the answers so that I can check them. Our next lesson will be about expressing things that we like to do, need to do and want to do.

Magkita na lang ta! Ayu-ayo!

Cebuano Essentials: Expressing Basic Needs 2

2010-05-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

This lesson will be about expressing what one needs: Kinahanglan is the word for need in Cebuano. How is it used?

With a noun:

I need some water.

(nag)kinahanglan ko ug dyutayng tubig.

"Dyutay" means a little. If you notice the nag is placed in parentheses, it's because native speakers have the tendency to omit this affix.

The subject in the sentence is Ko. You can substitute it with any subject such as the following pronouns:

ka (you)

siya (he or she)

sila (they)

kami (we, excluding listener)

kamo (you, plural)

kita (we, including listener)

or other possible subjects such as:

si Ben
silang Ben ug Jun
ang bata
ang mga estudyante

Now, substitute water with any object such as:

pagkaon (food)
uyab (girlfriend or boyfriend)

You may create your own sentences from this basic structure.

Cebuano Essentials: Expressing Basic Needs

2010-04-05T01:39:00.000-07:00

This lesson will tackle about expressing basic needs: Study the following:

I want

Gusto ko

You want

Gusto ka

He/she wants

Gusto siya

Let's add an object:

Gusto ko ug mangga.

Gusto ka ug saging.

Gusto siya ug halu-halo.

Now, express the following in Cebuano:

I want a cell phone.
You want a computer.
He wants a laptop.
She wants a watch. (rilo)

If you want to submit your work, just send it to me at: mvmaata@teacher.com

Cebuano Grammar Feature: Possessive Pronouns

2010-02-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Study the following examples:

my name
akong ngalan

your job
imong trabaho

his name
iyang ngalan

our house (inclusive of listener)
atong balay

our house
among balay (exclusive of listener)

your family (pl.)
inyong pamilya

their hobbies
ilang kalingawan

What are the basic possessive pronoun? What is added to them in order to show ownership of something? What is the position of this set of possessive pronouns?

Going back to the question words (which is a few entries back) Try making this question:

What is your name?

What = unsa
your name = imong ngalan

Let's connect them: Unsay imong ngalan?

(Native speakers say: Kinsay imong ngalan? but for the purpose of learning to create questions, let's use Unsay imong ngalan, which is not only logical but perfectly acceptable)

Now, there is another feature that you will learn, this is the y linker and it is another grammar feature in Visayan.

Now, practice turning these questions into Visayan:

What's his name?

What's your job?

What are their names?

What are their jobs?

You have already learned how to pluralize nouns as well as learned that "be verb" is absent in Visayan.

This will be tackled further if you enrol in my online classes. See you around for the next lessons.

Cebuano Grammar Feature: Subject Pronouns

2010-02-11T02:16:00.000-08:00

The following are the subject pronouns for Cebuano:

I
Ako, ko

You
Ikaw, ka

He/She
Siya

We (the speaker and the listener)
Kita

We (only the speakers)
Kami

They
Sila

Read the following and examine why they are called subject pronouns:

I am a teacher.
Maistra ako.

You are a student.
Istudyanti ka.

She is kind.
Buotan siya.

We are teachers.
Mga maistra kami.

We are students.
Mga istudyante kita.

They are kind.
Mga buotan sila.

What do you notice in the sentences? Is there an equivalent to the be verbs of English?

How are the Visayan subject pronouns used?

Now, change the following in Visayan sentences.

I am female. (bayi)

You are kind.

She is a teacher.

We are students. (speaker and listener)

We are students. (only speakers)

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Cebuano Grammar: Simple descriptive sentence

2010-01-05T00:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

After learning to make phrases, it's time for us to start creating simple descriptive sentences. If you have been reading the former entries or lessons, you will be able to do the simple structures and you will be ready for our future lessons.

Let's take the former phrases that you have created:

balay nga daku

dagat nga lawum

gamay nga tindahan

nindut nga buwak

buotan nga tawo

(you can now check if what you did is right.)

Compare the phrases with the following:

Daku ang balay.

Lawum ang dagat.

Gamay ang tindahan.

Nindut ang buwak.

Buotan ang tawo.

What differences do you notice? Which group would be the sentences? What comes before the words balay, dagat, tindahan, buwak and tawo? This is called a subject marker. The subject marker ang is used before what words? They come before non-personal words.

Try creating your own sentences.

To pluralize the nouns, you can simply put mga before the noun. For example:

mga balay
mga dagat
mga tindahan
mga buwak
mga tawo

Cebuano Grammar Feature: The Linker "nga"

2009-11-26T00:46:00.001-08:00

Linkers are major features of Visayan language. They connect a part of speech to the word that modifies it. Let me illustrate it further. Now, Try to master the following nouns:

house
balay

sea
dagat

store
tindahan

flower
buwak

person/man
tawo

If you have mastered that, study the following adjectives:

big
daku

deep
lawum

small
gamay

beautiful (objects)
nindut

kind
buotan

Let's study this phrase:

lami nga pagkaon

There are basically two words that comprise this:

"lami," which means delicious or great and "pagkaon," which means food.

When they are combined, they form lami nga pagkaon, notice that it is linked by "nga."

lami modifies pagkaon, meaning, it is not just any ordinary tasting food, it is a delicious food.

now, try combining the nouns with the modifiers. Now, try to invert the position of the nouns and the modifiers. Whether it is the noun that comes first or the modifier, the result will give the same meaning.

Cebuano Grammar Feature: The Linker "ka"

2009-11-03T07:56:00.001-08:00

After learning Visayan numbers which is normally used in counting 1 until 10 items, let us do some applications. Let us study the linker "ka". In Visayan there are four linkers and they are used in creating descriptive phrases.

Analyze the following:

three cats
tulo ka iring

one day
usa ka adlaw

two dogs
duha ka iro

four months
upat ka bulan

five hours
lima ka oras

What comes after the Visayan number in these phrases?

Ka.

That's right. The linker ka comes after a quantity.

Try doing the following in Visayan:

six days
seven years
eight dogs
nine gray strands of hair
ten hours

Send me your answers and I will tell you if you got them right.

The fourth one will be the topic of our next lesson.

Cebuano Essential Vocabulary: Spanish Numbers

2009-10-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

You are probably wondering why this entry deals with Spanish numbers, well, some of you may not know that the Philippines was under Spanish rule for almost 400 years and a substantial percentage of the Visayan vocabulary consists of Spanish terms, the most common of all and widely used and applied is the Spanish numbers. Spanish numbers are to be used in the following occasions:

1) Time telling
2) Giving dates
3) Counting money and
4) counting items over 10 (the Visayan number is used when counting from 1-10)

Here is the list of Spanish numbers (in Visayan pronunciation)

one
uno

two
dus

three
tris

four
kwatru

five
singku

six
says

seven
siti

eight
utsu

nine
nuybi

ten
jis

eleven
unsi

twelve
dusi

thirteen
trisi

fourteen
katursi

fifteen
kinsi

sixteen
disi-says

seventeen
disi-siti

eighteen
disi-utsu

nineteen
disi-nuybi

twenty
baynti

thirty
traynta

forty
kwarinta

fifty
singkwinta

sixty
saysinta

seventy
sitinta

eighty
otsinta

ninety
nubinta

one hundred
sinto

thousand
mil

million
milyun

We shall talk about how Spanish numbers are applied in our next lessons.

Counting in Cebuano: one to ten: 1 to 10

2009-10-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

When counting in Visayan, the most important thing to remember is 1 to 10, beyond 1 to 10, Spanish numbers are used.

So try to master the following:

One
Usa

Two
duha

Three
tulo

Four
upat

Five
lima

Six
Unum

Seven
Pito

Eight
walo

Nine
Siyam

Ten
Napulo

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