sugo

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1 Part of speech, core meaning, and example sentences

RoleCebuano sugoCore English sense
Verb (root)sugo — “to order, command, send someone on an errand”
Common nounsugo — “order, command, errand; instruction”

Predicate word order (verb) – Conjugated sugo precedes the clitic actor-pronoun:

Mo-sugo ko nimo ug palit tinapay.
I’ll send you to buy bread.

Cebuano sentenceEnglish translation
Mo-sugo ko sa akong igsoong lalaki ug gatas.I will tell my brother to buy milk.
Nag-sugo ang boss sa team nga humanon dayon ang report.The boss is ordering the team to finish the report at once.
Gi-sugo sa inahan ang bata pa-adto sa tindahan.The child was sent by the mother to the store.

2 Verb derivations of sugo

FormVoice & aspectTypical translationSample sentence
mag-sugoActor-focus, habitual / future“will usually order”Mag-sugo siya ug assistant kung busy kaayo.
mo-sugoActor-focus, non-past / imperative“will order; order!”Mo-sugo ta karon, ha.
nag-sugoActor-focus, progressive“is / was ordering”Nag-sugo ko pag-text nimo.
ni-sugo / mi-sugoActor-focus, completed past“ordered / sent”Ni-sugo sila ug driver kagahapon.
gi-sugoPatient-focus, completed past“was ordered / was sent by…”Gi-sugo sa maestro ang estudyante sa printer.
sugo-on (-on)Patient-focus, future / imp.“to be ordered / send it”Sugo-on nato ang courier sa dokumento.
sugo-an / sugo-i (-an / -i)Beneficiary / locative“to order someone / send to”Sugo-i ko palihog sa guard nga ablihan ang gate.

3 Typical sentence slots

4 Common collocations

  • sugo sa inahan — mother’s order
  • mag-sugo og pang-errand — send on an errand
  • walay sugo — no instructions
  • gi-sugo sa opisyal — commanded by the official
  • sugo-on nga buluhaton — task to be assigned

5 Detailed usage notes

  1. Primary sense – Telling or dispatching a person to do something: Mo-sugo ko nimo pa-adto sa merkado.
  2. Noun use – sugo as “command/errand”: human na nimo ang sugo? — “Have you finished the task?”
  3. Religious context – In church speech, Sugo sa Dios = “God’s command/message.”
  4. Politeness – Add palihog for softer tone: Mo-sugo ko nimo, palihog…
  5. Difference from mandar – sugo is neutral; mandar (to boss around) can sound negative/bossy.
  6. Aspect markers – Use na- forms if the command has already been carried out: Na-sugo na ko siya.

6 Common mistakes & how to avoid them

MistakeProblemCorrect form
Mo-sugo ako sa driver.Clitic pronoun misplaced.Mo-sugo ko sa driver.
Gi-sugo ko ang bata.gi- requires actor in genitive (ni / sa).Gi-sugo ni ko ang bata.
Sugo-on ta siya!Beneficiary imperative needs sugo-i.Sugo-i siya!
Missing actorNag-sugo sa tindahanNag-sugo ang manager sa tindahan.

7 Conversational phrases

  1. “Sugo-i ko ug tubig, beh.” — “Please get me some water.”
  2. “Unsa’y imong sugo?” — “What would you like me to do?”
  3. “Wa koy sugo karon.” — “I have no errands/tasks right now.”
  4. “Gi-sugo ko ni Mama pa-palit ug suka.” — “Mom sent me to buy vinegar.”
  5. “Ayaw ko sugo-a, busy ko.” — “Don’t order me around, I’m busy.”

8 Short everyday conversations

  1. A: Mo-sugo ka ba naku ug sud-an? — Will you send me to buy viand?
    B: Oo, palihog kog adobo. — Yes, please get adobo.
  2. A: Nag-sugo pa ang boss? — Is the boss still giving orders?
    B: Wala na, humana na iyang sugo. — No more, he’s done instructing.
  3. A: Sugo-i ko palihog sa driver ug standby sa gate. — Please tell the driver to wait at the gate.
    B: Sige, sugo-on nako karon. — Sure, I’ll instruct him now.
  4. A: Ni-sugo si Ma’am nga i-print ang forms? — Did Ma’am order that the forms be printed?
    B: Oo, gi-sugo niya ganina buntag. — Yes, she did this morning.
  5. A: Unsa pa’y sunod natong buhaton? — What should we do next?
    B: Wala nay sugo, pahulay sa ta. — No more tasks, let’s take a break.
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