Language/Cebuano/Vocabulary/Common-Adjectives
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Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, indicating some quality or attribute of the noun. They allow us to provide more information about the person, place, or thing we are talking about. In Cebuano, adjectives typically follow the noun they describe.
Common Adjectives
Here are some common adjectives in Cebuano:
- Dako - big
- Gamay - small
- Gwapa - beautiful
- Gwapo - handsome
- Bug-at - heavy
- Gaan - light
- Kusog - strong
- Huyang - weak
- Maayo - good
- Dautan - bad
- Init - hot
- Bugnaw - cold
- Barato - cheap
- Mahal - expensive
- Pareho - same
- Laing - different
- Makaayo - useful
- Walay pulos - useless
- Lain-lain - various
- Maanyag - pleasant
- Dili maanyag - unpleasant
- Madaugon - victorious
- Makadaug - able to win
- Takas - escapee
- Walay kaibog - unenviable
- Usa ra - only one
- Uniko - unique
- Mao nako - I think
Here are some example sentences using these adjectives:
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nindot kaayo ning lami nga pagkaon | neen-DOT kah-YAW ning LAH-mee ngah PAG-ka-own | This delicious food is very good. |
| Gwapa kaayo imong bag-ong sinina | gwa-PAH kah-YAW ee-mong bahg-ong si-NEE-nah | Your new dress is very pretty. |
| Makalingaw kaayo ang pelikula kagahapon | mah-kah-lin-GOW kah-YAW ahng peh-LEE-koo-lah kah-gah-HA-pon | The movie yesterday was very entertaining. |
Formation of Adjectives
Adjectives in Cebuano do not change form based on the gender or number of the noun they describe. They also do not have comparative or superlative forms, but rather use the words "labing" (most) and "labaw" (more) to indicate degrees of comparison.
Some adjectives can be formed by adding a prefix or suffix to a root word. For example, the prefix "ka-" is used to indicate a quality or characteristic, such as "kalipay" meaning happiness. The suffix "-an" is used to create adjectives that describe the location or source of something, such as "daghanan" meaning abundant or plentiful.
Practice Exercise
Here are some sentences for you to practice using common adjectives in Cebuano:
- Nindot kaayo ni nga lugar
- Sulit kaayo ni nga pletehan
- Bugnaw kaayo karon
- Gwapo kaayo siya
- Makaayo kaayo ang imong pagkaon
Translate the sentences to English in the table below:
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nindot kaayo ni nga lugar | neese kah-YAW nee ngah LOO-gar | This place is very nice. |
| Sulit kaayo ni nga pletehan | soo-LEET kah-YAW nee ngah pleh-TEH-han | This fare is very worth it. |
| Bugnaw kaayo karon | boo-GNOW kah-YAW ka-ron | It is very cold now. |
| Gwapo kaayo siya | gwa-PO kah-YAW see-YAH | He is very handsome. |
| Makaayo kaayo ang imong pagkaon | mah-kah-YAW kah-YAW ahng ee-mong PAG-ka-own | Your food is very good. |
Cultural Notes
Cebuanos use adjectives to express emotions, opinions, and judgments. They have a language rich in adjectives that make their conversation dramatic and vivid. Filipinos, in general, love to express themselves through flowery languages, poetic terms, and colorful metaphors. They use interjections to convey emotions, such as "hay naku" or "naku po" to express surprise or sympathy.
The use of "pwede" (can) in Cebuano shows that its speakers are generally accepting and accommodating people. Filipinos, in general, are known for being friendly and hospitable, often going out of their way to help others even if it causes them inconvenience.
Videos[edit | edit source]
Let's Learn Cebuano Visayan - Common Verbs 1 - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Quiz: Translate Adjectives to Cebuano[edit | edit source]
Test your knowledge on common adjectives in Cebuano and their usage in sentences. Good luck!
Instructions[edit | edit source]
Translate the following English adjectives into Cebuano.
- Big
- Small
- Beautiful
- Handsome
- Heavy
- Light
- Strong
- Weak
Quiz: Complete the Sentence[edit | edit source]
Instructions[edit | edit source]
Complete the sentences in Cebuano using the correct adjective from the list above.
- Ang _____ nga bato dili ko kaya (The _____ stone I can't lift)
- Siya usa ka _____ nga tawo (He is a _____ person)
Solutions[edit | edit source]
Translate Adjectives to Cebuano[edit | edit source]
- Big - Dako
- Small - Gamay
- Beautiful - Gwapa
- Handsome - Gwapo
- Heavy - Bug-at
- Light - Gaan
- Strong - Kusog
- Weak - Huyang
Complete the Sentence[edit | edit source]
- Ang bug-at nga bato dili ko kaya (The heavy stone I can't lift)
- Siya usa ka gwapo nga tawo (He is a handsome person)
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- People and Family
- Education
- Polite Expressions
- Cardinal Numbers
- How to say Good Bye?
- Common Places
- Fruits
- Feelings and Emotions
- Directions
- Animals
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