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!

Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns 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). Here's a 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

Here's an example dialogue, so you can see the personal pronouns in action:

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

As you can see, "ako" is used to refer to "I" while "ikaw" is used for "you."

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. 😎

Sources

• Cebuano Grammar
• Pronoun
• Interrogative Pronoun