Language/Cebuano/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be

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Cebuano Grammar - How to Use "Be"

Hi Cebuano learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to use "be" in Cebuano grammar. "Be" is one of the most common verbs in the English language and is used to indicate a state of being or existence. In Cebuano, "be" also exists, but it is not used in the same way as in English. We will explore the different uses of "be" in Cebuano and provide examples to illustrate each usage. Let's get started!


Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Negation & Adjectives.

Basic "be" in Cebuano[edit | edit source]

In Cebuano, the basic "be" verb is "adto". It is used to indicate location, and is usually translated as "there" in English. Here are some examples:

Cebuano Pronunciation English
Adto siya sa simbahan. ad.toh see.yah sah seem.ba.han He is there in the church.
Adto ta sa Bantayan karong Sabado. ad.toh tah sah Bahn.tah.yan kah.rong sah.ba.do We will be there in Bantayan this Saturday.

Notice that "adto" is used to indicate location, but not existence or identity. For example, the sentence "I am here" is expressed in Cebuano as "Nia ko", not "Adto ko".

"Be" as Copula in Cebuano[edit | edit source]

In English, "be" is also used as a copula, which is a verb used to link the subject of a sentence to a complement, such as an adjective, noun, or pronoun. In Cebuano, the copula is "mao", which is usually translated as "is" in English. Here are some examples:

Cebuano Pronunciation English
Siya mao ang usa ka kompositor. see.yah mao ahng oo.sah kah kom.posi.tor He is a composer.
Ikaw mao ang labing gwapa sa tanan. ee.kaw mao ahng lah.bing gwa.pa sah tah.nan You are the most beautiful of all.

Notice that "mao" is used to link the subject to a complement, such as a noun or an adjective. It is not used to indicate location or existence.

"Be" in Present Continuous Tense[edit | edit source]

In English, the present continuous tense is formed by using the verb "be" in its present tense form, followed by the main verb in its "-ing" form. In Cebuano, the present continuous tense is formed by using the verb "naga", which is usually translated as "is/are" in English, followed by the verb in its basic form. Here are some examples:

Cebuano Pronunciation English
Nagaampo ko karon. nah.gah.ahm.poh koh kah.ron I am praying now.
Nagaeskwela siya sa kolehiyo. nah.gah.esk.we.lah see.yah sah koh.ley.hyo He is studying in college.

Notice that "naga" is used to indicate an ongoing action in the present. It is not translated as "be" but it functions similarly in English.

"Be" in Past Continuous Tense[edit | edit source]

Similar to the present continuous tense, the past continuous tense in English is formed by using the verb "be" in its past tense form, followed by the main verb in its "-ing" form. In Cebuano, the past continuous tense is formed by using the verb "nag", which is usually translated as "was/were" in English, followed by the verb in its basic form. Here are some examples:

Cebuano Pronunciation English
Nagtrabaho siya sa opisina kagahapon. nag.tra.ba.hoh see.yah sah oh.pisi.nah kah.gah.hap.on He was working in the office yesterday.
Nagluto si nanay sa atong gabii. nag.loo.toh see nah.nay sah ah.tohng ga.bii Mom was cooking for us last night.

Notice that "nag" is used to indicate an ongoing action in the past. It is not translated as "be" but it functions similarly in English.

Dialogue[edit | edit source]

Person 1: Kumusta na? (How are you?) Person 2: Maayo ra ako. Ikaw? (I'm good. How about you?) Person 1: Ok ra pod. Nagaeskwela pa ka? (I'm ok too. Are you still studying?) Person 2: Oo, nag-eskwela pa ko sa kolehiyo. (Yes, I'm still studying in college.)

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we have learned how to use "be" in Cebuano grammar. We have seen that "adto" is used to indicate location, "mao" is used as a copula, and "naga" is used to indicate an ongoing action in the present or past. Remember, one of the best ways to improve your Cebuano grammar is to practice! To practice with other Cebuano learners, you can join Polyglot Club. Find native speakers and ask them any questions! Don't forget to check out the Cebuano Grammar page for more information about Cebuano grammar. Salamat sa pagtuon! (Thank you for learning!)


➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎


Impressive work on finishing this lesson! Explore these additional pages to enhance your understanding: Questions & Pronouns.

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