lang

Cebuano Word: lang

1 Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences

• Part of speech: Adverb / enclitic particle (limitation or modesty)
• Core meaning: “only,” “just,” “merely,” “for the time being.” It down-scales quantity, scope, or importance.

Example sentences

• Duha lang ka tao ang miabot. — Only two people arrived.
• Sa balay lang ko karon. — I am just at home now.
• Pahulay lang usa. — Just take a rest for now.

2 Learning Points for Cebuano Adverbs (focus on lang)

• Lang always follows the word or phrase it limits; never place it in front.
• It can soften a request or statement: “Pahulam lang ko gamay.” (Just lend me a little.)
• When paired with negatives (wala lang / dili lang), it implies “nothing else” or “don’t bother further.”
• Do not combine it with ra in the same slot; choose one limiter to avoid redundancy.
• Spoken Cebuano sometimes reduces it to ’lang after vowels; write the full form in formal contexts.

3 Common Collocations

• karon lang – only now
• ikaw lang – only you / just you
• gusto lang – just want
• tan-aw lang – just looking
• diri lang – only here

4 Typical Sentence Position

• Immediately after the restricted element:
  • “Si Mia lang ang mipirma.”
  • “Mubayad ko ug singko pesos lang.”

5 Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases

• “Usa lang ka minuto.” — Just one minute.
• “Tan-aw lang ko, salamat.” — I’m just looking, thank you.
• “Dili lang sa karon.” — Not for now.
• “Diria lang ko kutob.” — I’ll stop right here.
• “Tubag lang sa messenger.” — Just reply on Messenger.

6 Five Everyday Conversation Exchanges

1. A: Tag-pila man ang kape?
   B: Singkwenta lang ang usa.
   A: How much is the coffee?
   B: Just fifty each.
2. A: Kinsa’y mo-uban nimo?
   B: Si Jo lang kay busy ang uban.
   A: Who will go with you?
   B: Only Jo because the others are busy.
3. A: Mokuyog ka sa beach ugma?
   B: Tan-aw lang ko kung makalugar.
   A: Will you join the beach trip tomorrow?
   B: I’ll just see if I can make time.
4. A: Dako ba ni nga problema?
   B: Gamay lang, masulbad ra dayon.
   A: Is this a big problem?
   B: Just a small one; it will be solved soon.
5. A: Naa kay gi-order?
   B: Water lang usa ko, salamat.
   A: Did you order anything?
   B: Just water for now, thanks.

7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Ikaw lang ba ang moadto?
A. Lang ikaw ang moadto.
B. Ikaw lang ang moadto.
C. Ang moadto ikaw lang.

Q2. Gam-ay lang ba ang bayad?
A. Ang bayad gam-ay lang.
B. Gam-ay ang bayad lang.
C. Gam-ay lang ang bayad.

Q3. Diria lang ka nagpuyo?
A. Diria lang ko nagpuyo.
B. Nagpuyo diria lang ko.
C. Ko diria lang nagpuyo.

Q4. Usa lang ka oras ang meeting?
A. Usa ang meeting lang ka oras.
B. Usa lang ka oras ang meeting.
C. Ka oras lang usa ang meeting.

Q5. Ngano wala lang ka nitubag?
A. Nitubag wala lang ko.
B. Wala nitubag lang ko.
C. Wala lang ko nitubag.

Answer Key and Explanations

• Q1 – B Correct Cebuano order “subject + lang + predicate.”
• Q2 – C Adjective gam-ay followed by lang, then subject.
• Q3 – A Location diria plus lang, then subject and verb.
• Q4 – B Numeral phrase usa lang ka oras comes before subject.
• Q5 – C Negative wala first, then lang, then subject + verb; others misplace lang or break word order.