sayon

1 Part of speech, core meaning, usage, and example sentences

Part of speech: adjective (also adverb)
Core meaning: “easy,” “simple,” “effortless,” “convenient.”

Example sentences

• Sayon ra ang pagsulbad sa problema kung magtinabangay ta. – Solving the problem is easy if we help each other.
• Sayon kaayo ang recipe; lima ra ka sagol. – The recipe is very simple; only five ingredients.
• Dili sayon mangita og trabaho karong panahona. – It isn’t easy to look for a job these days.
• Mas sayon kung gamiton nimo ang shortcut key. – It’s easier if you use the shortcut key.

2 Linkers and derivational forms

• Linkers
  • -ng before a consonant → sayo-ng test – easy test.
  • nga before a vowel / clarity → sayon nga paagi – easy way.
• Comparative / superlative
  • mas sayon – easier.
  • pinakasayon – easiest.
• Reduplication & intensity
  • sayon-sayon – rather easy.
  • sayon kaayo / sayon gyud – very easy.
• Exclamation & abstract noun
  • Kasayon oy! – How easy!
  • kasayon – ease, simplicity.
  • pagkasayon – the quality of being easy.
• Verb-like forms
  • musayon / nisayon / nagsayon – to become easier.
  • pasayona! / pasayonon – to make something easier.

3 Where to place it in a sentence

1. Predicate adjective: Ang exam sayon. – The exam is easy.
2. Modifier with linker: sayon nga exam.
3. After emphasis: Mao ni ang sayon nga solusyon. – This is the easy solution.

4 Common collocations

• sayon nga paagi – easy method
• sayon nga trabaho – easy job
• sayon nga access – easy access
• sayon nga instructions – simple instructions
• sayon-sayon nga pangutana – rather easy question

5 Detailed usage notes

“Sayon” expresses low difficulty, whether physical effort (sayon nga load), mental effort (sayon nga konsepto), or logistical convenience (sayon nga lokasyon).
When it precedes a noun, attach -ng / nga; omit the linker when it follows as predicate.
Comparatives use mas, superlatives pinaka-, and reduplication (sayon-sayon) tones down the claim.
Verb forms (nisayon) describe something becoming easier over time.

6 Frequent mistakes

• Dropping the linker: ✗ sayon paagi → ✓ sayon nga paagi.
• Saying sayon mas instead of mas sayon.
• Separating pinaka: ✗ pinaka sayon → ✓ pinakasayon.
• Using sayon when “fast” (paspas) is intended.
• Missing hyphen in reduplication: ✗ sayonsayon → ✓ sayon-sayon.

7 Five everyday conversational phrases

1. Kasayon sa pagpili ani nga option; klaro kaayo. – Choosing this option is so easy; very clear.
2. Mas sayon kong makig-chat kaysa makig-tawag. – It’s easier for me to chat than to call.
3. Pinakasayon gyud ning app sa tanan nga akong natilawan. – This app is honestly the easiest I’ve tried.
4. Sayon-sayon ra nako ni, humanon ko sa usa ka oras. – This is quite easy for me; I’ll finish it in an hour.
5. Pasayona ang layout aron sayon sabton sa bag-ong users. – Simplify the layout so new users can understand easily.

8 Five short dialogues

1. Q: Sayon ba ang imong bag-ong trabaho? – Is your new job easy?
   A: Oo, sayon kaayo kay routine ra ang tasks. – Yes, very easy because the tasks are just routine.
2. Q: Ngano mas sayon man ang online payment? – Why is online payment easier?
   A: Mas sayon kay wala nay pila. – Easier because there’s no line.
3. Q: Asa ang pinakasayon nga agian padulong mall? – Which route to the mall is the easiest?
   A: Ang coastal road pinakasayon, walay traffic. – The coastal road is easiest; no traffic.
4. Q: Sayon-sayon ba ang quiz? – Was the quiz rather easy?
   A: Oo, 7/10 nakakuha ko bisan walay review. – Yes, I got 7/10 even without reviewing.
5. Q: Unsaon nato pagpasayon sa meeting schedule? – How do we make the meeting schedule easier?
   A: Gamit ta’g shared calendar para sayon ra makita. – Let’s use a shared calendar so it’s easy to view.

9 Multiple-choice dialogue questions

Q1. Sayon ba ang imong assignment?
A. Sayon kaayo ang akong assignment.
B. Assignment sayon kaayo ang akong.
C. Sayon assignment kaayo ang akong.

Q2. Asa ang mas sayon, ang Excel o ang Google Sheets?
A. Mas sayon kaysa Excel ang Google Sheets.
B. Excel kaysa Google Sheets ang mas sayon.
C. Mas sayon ang Excel kaysa Google Sheets.

Q3. Pinakasayon ba kini nga topic sa kurso?
A. Kini pinakasayon topic sa kurso.
B. Topic kini pinakasayon sa kurso.
C. Pinakasayon kini nga topic sa kurso.

Q4. Ngano sayon ra imong desisyon?
A. Sayon ra akong desisyon kay klaro ang data.
B. Desisyon sayon ra akong kay klaro data ang.
C. Klaro ang data desisyon sayon ra ako kay.

Q5. Kinsa’y naay sayon-sayon nga proposal alang sa budget?
A. Si Bea naay sayon-sayon nga proposal.
B. Naay si Bea sayon-sayon proposal.
C. Proposal sayon-sayon naay si Bea.

Answer key and explanations

• Q1 – A Phrase sayon kaayo before subject is correct; B & C place noun and adjective in faulty order.
• Q2 – A Comparative: “Mas sayon kaysa X ang Y.” The other two invert comparison pieces incorrectly.
• Q3 – C Pinakasayon stands right before kini and uses nga to link to topic. A & B jumble demonstrative or noun.
• Q4 – A Predicate then reason clause gives clear meaning; B & C scramble subject-predicate sequence.
• Q5 – A Pattern “naay + subject + description.” B & C disrupt that order or omit the linker.