kung

Cebuano Word Focus: kung

1 Part of Speech & Meaning

• Part of speech: Conjunction (subordinator)
• Meaning: “if / when” — introduces a condition or a time clause.

Example sentences

1. Kung moulan, magdala koʼg payong. – “If it rains, I will bring an umbrella.”
2. Makadawat ka sa regalo kung moabot ka sayo. – “You will receive the gift if you arrive early.”
3. Tawga ko kung humana na ka. – “Call me when you are done.”

2 Points to Keep in Mind when Learning Cebuano Conjunctions like kung

• kung vs. kon: Both mean “if,” but kung is the common spoken form; kon is the formal spelling found in official writing.
• Clause order is flexible: A kung-clause can come first or last; use a comma only when it comes first.
• Do not stack connectors: Avoid phrases like kung ug or kung o; one conjunction per clause.
• Pronunciation: Short /kuŋ/; keep the final velar nasal clear.
• One condition per clause: Multiple kung-clauses crowded together sound awkward—split them into separate sentences.

3 Common Collocations with kung

• kung dili… – “if not …”
• kung gusto ka – “if you want”
• kung mahimo – “if possible”
• kung ugaling – “if ever / in case”
• kung kanus-a – “when (the time that)”

4 Typical Position in a Sentence

The conjunction appears at the beginning of its own subordinate clause, either before or after the main clause:

• Kung mahal ang plete, mag-lakaw nalang ko.
• Mag-lakaw nalang ko kung mahal ang plete.

5 Five Conversational Phrases

1. Kung mahimo, palihug ko. – “If possible, please.”
2. Kung gusto ka, kuyog ta. – “If you like, let’s go together.”
3. Kung walay lain, mao ni ang plano. – “If there’s nothing else, this is the plan.”
4. Kung madugay pa ka, tekstahi ko. – “If you will be late, text me.”
5. Kung okay ra nimo, ugma nalang. – “If it is fine with you, let’s do it tomorrow.”

6 Five Simple Everyday Conversation Exchanges

1. A: Kung libre ka karong hapon, magkita ta?
   B: Magkita ta kung libre ko karong hapon.
2. A: Unsa imong buhaton kung walay kuryente?
   B: Matulog ra ko kung walay kuryente.
3. A: Mo-adto ba ka sa party kung tugotan ka ni Mama?
   B: Mo-adto ko kung tugotan ko niya.
4. A: Kung init kaayo ugma, maligo ta sa dagat?
   B: Maligo ta kung init gyod kaayo.
5. A: Kung makit-an nimo ang kuwarta, ihatag dayon nako?
   B: Ihatag dayon nako kung makit-an nako.

7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Kung dili ka mokaon karon, gutomon ba ka unya?
A. Gutomon kung karon ko dili mokaon unya.
B. Gutomon ko unya kung dili ko mokaon karon.
C. Ko unya gutomon mokaon kung dili karon.

Q2. Kung moubos ang presyo, mopalit ba ka?
A. Mopalit kung ko moubos presyo ang.
B. Kung moubos presyo mopalit ko.
C. Mopalit ko kung moubos ang presyo.

Q3. Kung libre ka ugma, pwede ba ta magkita?
A. Pwede ta magkita kung libre ka ugma.
B. Kung ugma libre pwede ta ka magkita.
C. Magkita pwede ka ta kung ugma libre.

Q4. Kung init ang panahon, maligo ba ta sa dagat?
A. Maligo ta sa dagat kung init ang panahon.
B. Init kung ta maligo panahon sa dagat ang.
C. Sa dagat maligo ta init panahon kung ang.

Q5. Kung mahuman nimo ang trabaho, mupahuway ba ka?
A. Pahuway ka kung mahuman trabaho nimo ang.
B. Kung nimo mahuman ka mupahuway trabaho ang.
C. Mupahuway ka kung mahuman nimo ang trabaho.

Answer Key

• Q1: B – correct sequence “Predicate + time phrase + kung-clause.”
• Q2: C – declarative clause first, then the kung condition.
• Q3: A – sentence keeps normal order, then kung-clause of time.
• Q4: A – verb + location phrase, followed by kung-clause.
• Q5: C – main clause first, condition after; others scramble elements.