daw

Cebuano Word: daw

1 Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences

• Part of speech: adverb / discourse particle (evidential / comparison)
• Core meanings:
  1. apparently; it is said; reportedly – introduces hearsay or uncertainty.
  2. as if; like – shows similarity, often with adjectives or verbs.

Example sentences

• Mu-ulan daw karon hapon. — They say it will rain this afternoon.
• Nadawat na daw nimo ang sulat. — Apparently you already received the letter.
• Init kaayo, daw ting-init na. — It is very hot, as if it were summer already.

2 Learning Points for Cebuano Adverbs (focus on daw)

1. Evidential marker — tells the listener that information is second-hand or uncertain.
2. Flexible position — often follows the verb or the clause it qualifies (“Miabot daw siya”).
3. Comparison sense — before adjectives/adverbs to mean “as if”: “Murag daw wala’y tao.”
4. Tone softener — reduces assertiveness, useful in polite speech when unverified.
5. No inflection — keep it as daw; do not modify or combine with tense markers.

3 Common Collocations

• ingon daw – it is said that
• murag daw – seems like / as if
• mata pa daw – reportedly still awake
• gusto daw – (he/she) supposedly wants
• lami daw – said to be delicious

4 Typical Sentence Position

• After the predicate for hearsay: “Ni-adto daw sila sa Bohol.”
• After murag or before an adjective for “as if”: “Murag daw kapoy kaayo.”

5 Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases

• “Busy daw siya karon.” — They say he is busy now.
• “Larga daw ta ugma.” — Apparently we will leave tomorrow.
• “Wa pa daw sila mahuman.” — They are reportedly not done yet.
• “Murag daw mahal ni.” — This seems expensive, doesn’t it?
• “Daw tinood ni?” — Is this really true?

6 Five Everyday Conversation Exchanges

1. A: Gi-approve na daw ang permit?
   B: Oo, gi-emailan daw sila kagabii.
   A: Was the permit already approved, they say?
   B: Yes, they were reportedly emailed last night.
2. A: Taas daw ang presyo karon?
   B: Taas daw gyud, mi-saka og 10 pesos.
   A: Is the price high now, they say?
   B: Apparently yes, it went up by 10 pesos.
3. A: Murag daw wala’y klase ugma?
   B: Oo, ingon daw sa principal.
   A: It seems there are no classes tomorrow?
   B: Yes, so the principal reportedly said.
4. A: Lami daw ang bag-ong café?
   B: Sus, lami daw kaayo ilang kape!
   A: Is the new café tasty?
   B: Oh, they say their coffee is really good!
5. A: Mo-uban daw ka namo?
   B: Depende daw sa iyang schedule.
   A: Will she join us, they say?
   B: Apparently it depends on her schedule.

7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Miabot daw ba ang package?
A. Miabot ang package daw.
B. Miabot daw ang package.
C. Daw miabot ang package.

Q2. Gusto daw ka mokaon pizza?
A. Gusto daw ko mokaon pizza.
B. Pizza mokaon daw ko gusto.
C. Daw gusto ko mokaon pizza.

Q3. Murag daw init kaayo karon?
A. Murag init daw kaayo karon.
B. Murag daw init kaayo karon.
C. Init kaayo karon murag daw.

Q4. Nidaug daw si Ana sa contest?
A. Si Ana daw nidaug sa contest.
B. Nidaug si Ana daw sa contest.
C. Nidaug daw si Ana sa contest.

Q5. Mo-larga daw ta karon hapon?
A. Mo-larga daw ta karon hapon.
B. Karon hapon mo-larga ta daw.
C. Daw mo-larga ta karon hapon.

Answer Key

• Q1 – B Predicate miabot, particle daw, subject; others place daw incorrectly.
• Q2 – A Verb phrase first, daw follows verb, subject next; alternatives scramble order.
• Q3 – B Structure “murag + daw + adjective”; others misplace daw.
• Q4 – C Verb first, daw after verb, subject, object; A & B separate particle from verb.
• Q5 – A Verb mo-larga, daw immediately after, subject, time; B & C move daw away.