Language/Cebuano/Grammar/Yes/No-Questions
| ◀️ Telling Time — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Wh-Questions ▶️ |
Formation of Yes/No Questions in Cebuano using "ba"
As a Cebuano language teacher for 20 years, I believe that in learning any language, it is important to be able to ask simple questions to start a conversation. In this lesson, we will focus on forming yes/no questions in Cebuano using the word "ba" and practice answering these questions.
In Cebuano, unlike English, we do not change the word order to form a question. To make a yes/no question, we simply add the word "ba" at the end of a declarative sentence. The intonation should also rise towards the end of the sentence to indicate a question. Let's look at some examples:
- Cebuano: Ikaw si Maria. (You are Maria.)
| Pronunciation: Ee-kaw see Mah-ree-ya. | English: You are Maria. | Yes/No Question: Ikaw si Maria ba? (Are you Maria?)
- Cebuano: Nagtrabaho si Juan kagahapon. (Juan worked yesterday.)
| Pronunciation: Nag-tra-ba-ho see Hoo-an kag-a-ha-pon. | English: Juan worked yesterday. | Yes/No Question: Nagtrabaho si Juan kagahapon ba? (Did Juan work yesterday?)
- Cebuano: Nindot ang panahon karon. (The weather is nice today.)
| Pronunciation: Nindot ang pa-na-hon ka-ron. | English: The weather is nice today. | Yes/No Question: Nindot ba ang panahon karon? (Is the weather nice today?)
As you can see from the examples, forming yes/no questions in Cebuano is simple. However, it is important to use the correct intonation to indicate that you are asking a question.
It is also important to note that in Cebuano, the word "ba" is not equivalent to the English word "or". It is used only to indicate a question, and not to present options or choices.
Let's practice forming yes/no questions using "ba" with the following exercises.
Exercise 1
Form a yes/no question using "ba" for the following statements:
- 1. Nagkaon siya sa Jollibee. (He ate at Jollibee.)
| Answer: Nagkaon siya sa Jollibee ba? (Did he eat at Jollibee?)
- 2. Daku ang bahandi sa Pilipinas. (The Philippines has a lot of wealth.)
| Answer: Daku ba ang bahandi sa Pilipinas? (Does the Philippines have a lot of wealth?)
- 3. Sige'g ulan kagahapon. (It rained a lot yesterday.)
| Answer: Sige'g ulan kagahapon ba? (Did it rain a lot yesterday?)
- 4. Mopalit kami'g mga prutas sa merkado. (We will buy some fruits at the market.)
| Answer: Mopalit kami'g mga prutas sa merkado ba? (Will we buy some fruits at the market?)
Exercise 2
Answer the following questions with "oo" (yes) or "dili" (no):
- 1. Nag-inom ka ba sa fiesta kagahapon? (Did you drink at the fiesta yesterday?)
| Answer: Dili.
- 2. Nagpalit ka ba'g bag-ong sapatos niadtong adlawa? (Did you buy new shoes that day?)
| Answer: Oo.
- 3. Nagdala ka ba'g payong kagahapon tungod kay murag umuulan? (Did you bring an umbrella yesterday because it looked like it might rain?)
| Answer: Dili.
- 4. Naligo ba siya sa dagat niadtong kaadlawan? (Did he swim in the sea that day?)
| Answer: Oo.
- 5. Gipadala ba nimo ang sulat sa imong amigo? (Did you send the letter to your friend?)
| Answer: Oo.
Exercise 3
Select the appropriate yes/no question for the following situations:
- 1. You see your friend carrying a heavy box.
| a. Nagdala ka'g gamay nga bag? (Did you bring a small bag?) | b. Need ba nimo'g tabang? (Do you need help?)
- 2. You are at a restaurant and you want to know if the dish is spicy.
| a. Maayo ba'g lasa? (Does it taste good?) | b. Samot ba ka'yo ang sili ani? (Is this dish very spicy?)
- 3. You are planning a trip to Cebu and you want to know if it is safe.
| a. Naay dagkong mall diri sa Cebu? (Is there a big mall in Cebu?) | b. Seguro ba nga luwas ang Cebu? (Is it safe to travel to Cebu?)
- 4. Your friend is wearing a new dress.
| a. Paliton ba nimo ang dress sa imong amiga? (Would you buy the dress for your friend?) | b. Bag-o ba nimo na-palit ang dress? (Is that a new dress you bought?)
In this lesson, you have learned how to form yes/no questions in Cebuano using "ba" and practice answering these questions. This is an essential part of language learning, as it is a basic skill that allows you to start conversations and ask for information. In the next lesson, we will learn how to form wh-questions in Cebuano, such as who, what, where, when, why, and how. Keep up the good work!
{{#seo: |title=Cebuano Grammar: Learn how to form Yes/No Questions in Cebuano with 'ba' |keywords=Cebuano grammar, Yes/No Questions in Cebuano, How to form questions in Cebuano, Cebuano ba, Cebuano language, complete beginner Cebuano, Cebuano course |description=Learn how to form Yes/No Questions in Cebuano using "ba" and practice answering these questions. This is an essential part of language learning, as it is a basic skill that allows you to start conversations and ask for information.]]
| ◀️ Telling Time — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Wh-Questions ▶️ |