Language/Cebuano/Grammar/Pronouns

Cebuano Grammar - Pronouns

Hi Cebuano learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about the different types of pronouns in Cebuano. Pronouns are used in place of a noun to avoid repetition or to refer to a noun that has already been mentioned. This lesson is designed for intermediate level learners who want to improve their Cebuano Grammar.

• Don't forget to practice with native speakers! Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Cebuano Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns in Cebuano, like in many languages, play a crucial role in everyday communication. They are used to refer to the person speaking (first person), the person being spoken to (second person), or the person being talked about (third person). Unlike English, Cebuano pronouns do not distinguish gender in the third person, making them more general in usage. Additionally, Cebuano has inclusive and exclusive forms for the first person plural, distinguishing between including or excluding the listener in "we." Here's a comprehensive table of personal pronouns in Cebuano:

Cebuano	Pronunciation	English
ako	/ä-kô/	I / me
ikaw	/ē-kow/	you
siya	/sē-yä/	he / she / it
kami	/kä-mē/	we / us (inclusive)
kita	/kē-tä/	we / us (exclusive)
kamo	/kä-mō/	you (plural)
sila	/sē-lä/	they / them

These pronouns are vital for forming sentences and expressing ideas and actions about oneself, others, and objects. They are often used in conjunction with verbs and possessive pronouns to convey different meanings.

To illustrate these pronouns in context, here's an example dialogue:

• Person 1: Asa ka paingon? (Where are you going?)
• Person 2: Muadto ko sa simbahan. (I'm going to the church.)

In this dialogue, "ka" refers to "you" in the question "Asa ka paingon?" and "ko" is used as "I" in the response "Muadto ko sa simbahan." These pronouns help clarify who is performing the action or who is the subject of the sentence. Understanding and correctly using these pronouns is fundamental for effective communication in Cebuano.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are used to show possession or ownership of something. Here's a table of possessive pronouns:

Cebuano	Pronunciation	English
akong	/ä-kông/	my / mine
imong	/ē-mōng/	your / yours (singular)
iyang	/ē-yäng/	his / hers / its
among	/ä-mōng/	our / ours (inclusive)
atong	/ä-tōng/	our / ours (exclusive)
inyong	/ē-nyōng/	your / yours (plural)
ilang	/ē-läng/	their / theirs

Here's an example dialogue:

• Person 1: Asa imong cellphone? (Where is your cellphone?)
• Person 2: Naa sa akong bag. (It's in my bag.)

In this dialogue, "imong" is used to refer to "your" while "akong" is used for "my."

Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used when the object of a sentence is also the subject. In Cebuano, reflexive pronouns always end in "-sa." Here's a table of reflexive pronouns:

Cebuano	Pronunciation	English
ako mismo	/ä-kô mi-s-mô/	myself
ikaw mismo	/ē-kaw mi-s-mô/	yourself
siya mismo	/sē-yä mi-s-mô/	himself / herself / itself
kitang tanan	/kē-täng tä-nän/	ourselves (inclusive)
atong tanan	/ä-tōng tä-nän/	ourselves (exclusive)
kamo mismo	/kä-mô mi-s-mô/	yourselves (plural)
sila mismo	/sē-lä mi-s-mô/	themselves

Here's an example sentence using reflexive pronouns:

• Person 1: Nalimtan ni Juan ang iyang puto. (Juan forgot his rice cake.)
• Person 2: Hiligugmaon man gud niya ang iyang kaugalingon. (He loves himself too much.)

In this example, "nanglimtan ni Juan ang iyang puto" means "Juan forgot his rice cake" while "hiligugmaon man gud niya ang iyang kaugalingon" translates to "He loves himself too much."

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific people, places, or things. In Cebuano, there are three demonstrative pronouns: "kini," "kana," and "kadto." Here's what they mean:

• "Kini" - used to point out something near the speaker.
• "Kana" - used to point out something near the listener.
• "Kadto" - used to point out something far from both the speaker and the listener.

Here's an example dialogue:

• Person 1: Unsa ni kini? (What is this?)
• Person 2: Kana mao ang pinsan ni Juan. (That is Juan's cousin.)

In this example, "kini" is used to refer to something near the speaker, while "kana" is used for something near the listener. "Mao" means "that" and is often used to reinforce demonstrative pronouns.

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. In Cebuano, there are three interrogative pronouns: "unsa," "kinsa," and "asa." Here's what they mean:

• "Unsa" - used to ask about things or concepts.
• "Kinsa" - used to ask about people.
• "Asa" - used to ask about places or locations.

Here's an example dialogue:

• Person 1: Unsa man ang imong pangalan? (What is your name?)
• Person 2: Si Maria. Ikaw, kinsa man ka? (My name is Maria. How about you, who are you?)

In this example, "unsa" is used to mean "what" while "kinsa" is used to mean "who." "Asa" is used to refer to "where" as in "asa ka padulong?" meaning "where are you going?"

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to non-specific people, places, or things. In Cebuano, there are several indefinite pronouns, including "bisag unsa," which means "whatever." Here's an example sentence:

• Bisag unsa pa siya kasaba sa ako, wa gyod ko kauli. (No matter what he said to me, I didn't go back.)

In this sentence, "bisag unsa" is used to mean "whatever."

Conclusion

Pronouns are essential parts of any language, and Cebuano is no exception. By learning how to use personal, possessive, reflexive, demonstrative, interrogative, and indefinite pronouns, you will be able to express yourself more clearly and avoid repetition. 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. 😎

Cebuano Pronouns Quiz

Test your understanding of Cebuano pronouns with this interactive quiz. Choose the correct pronoun to complete each sentence.

1. _____ (I) want to learn Cebuano.

  a) Ako
  b) Ikaw
  c) Kami

1. Can _____ (you, singular) help me?

  a) Kami
  b) Ikaw
  c) Sila

1. _____ (They) are my friends.

  a) Sila
  b) Kita
  c) Kami

1. Give it to _____ (us, exclusive).

  a) Kami
  b) Kita
  c) Sila

1. _____ (He/She) is my teacher.

  a) Siya
  b) Ikaw
  c) Ako

Answers to the Quiz

1. a) Ako 2. b) Ikaw 3. a) Sila 4. b) Kita 5. a) Siya

Sources

• Cebuano grammar - Wikipedia
• A Study on the Behavior of Cebuano Pronouns in Discourse

• Pronoun
• Interrogative Pronoun

Having concluded this lesson, consider checking out these related pages: Say Hello and Greetings in Cebuano, How to Use Have & How to Use Be.

Other Lessons

• Questions
• Conditional Mood
• How to Use Have
• Give your Opinion
• How to Use Be
• Negation
• Plurals
• Future Tense
• Adjectives