CEBUANO LESSON 38 What Are You Doing? Everyday Cebuano for Daily Conversations

What are you doing?
In this Cebuano lesson, you’ll learn how to ask and answer one of the most common everyday questions: “What are you doing?” This phrase is simple but essential for real conversations in the Philippines.

👉 What you’ll learn in this video:

• Different ways to ask “What are you doing?” in Cebuano (Nag unsa ka? / Ga unsa ka? / Naga unsa ka?)
• Useful vocabulary for studying, exams, and daily activities
• How to form sentences and questions naturally in Cebuano
• A practical dialogue between two friends preparing for an exam

Whether you’re a beginner in Cebuano or looking to improve your daily conversation skills, this lesson will give you easy and practical phrases to use right away.

VOCABULARY

Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.

Nagtuon

Meaning

• Studied / was studying
• From root tuon = to study, with prefix nag- = past or continuous action.

Part of Speech

• Verb (past / continuous aspect)

Situations Where It’s Used

• Talking about someone studying in the past or currently.
• Common in school, self-study, or learning contexts.
• Can be used for both formal education and self-learning.

Example Sentences

1. Nagtuon siya sa library kagabii.
   → “He studied in the library last night.”
2. Nagtuon ko samtang nagdula siya og gitara.
   → “I was studying while he was playing the guitar.”
3. Karon hapon nagtuon sila para sa eksamen.
   → “This afternoon they are studying for the exam.”

Klase nga

Meaning

• Kind of / type of / class of
• From klase (class, type, category) + nga (linker word connecting to the noun it describes).

Part of Speech

• Phrase (classifier expression)

Situations Where It’s Used

• To describe or specify the kind/category of something.
• Common in everyday speech, school, or explanations.
• Similar to English “kind of …” or “type of …”.

Example Sentences

1. Unsang klase nga libro imong ganahan?
   → “What kind of book do you like?”
2. Adunay klase nga pagkaon nga makadaot sa lawas.
   → “There are types of food that can harm the body.”
3. Kini nga klase nga bulak kay mahalon.
   → “This kind of flower is expensive.”

Kuhaon

Meaning

• Will take / will get / to be taken
• From root kuha = take, get; with suffix -on = object-focus (future or command).

Part of Speech

• Verb (future / passive-focus)

Situations Where It’s Used

• When talking about taking or getting something in the future.
• Very common in daily speech (getting food, documents, money, etc.).
• Can also mean to pick up or to claim.

Example Sentences

1. Kuhaon nako ang libro ugma sa eskwelahan.
   → “I will get the book tomorrow at school.”
2. Kuhaon sa manunulat ang iyang premyo sa opisina.
   → “The writer will claim his prize at the office.”
3. Dili kuhaon ang imong gamit kung walay permiso.
   → “Your things won’t be taken without permission.”

Ginikanan

Meaning

• Parents (father and mother)

Part of Speech

• Noun (plural in meaning, though singular in form)

Situations Where It’s Used

• Referring to one’s parents or someone else’s.
• Common in daily life, school, family conversations, and formal documents.
• Can also be used in general sense: elders / ancestors.

Example Sentences

1. Ang akong ginikanan nagpuyo sa probinsya.
   → “My parents live in the province.”
2. Gipasabot sa mga ginikanan ang ilang anak nga magtuon ug tarong.
   → “The parents advised their child to study well.”
3. Dapat respetohon nato ang atong ginikanan.
   → “We should respect our parents.”

Kahanas

Meaning

• Skill / proficiency / ability
• From root hanas = skilled, experienced; with prefix ka- = noun form (the state/quality of).

Part of Speech

• Noun

Situations Where It’s Used

• Talking about someone’s ability or expertise.
• Common in work, school, or when praising someone’s talent.
• Often paired with sa + field of skill (e.g., kahanas sa pag-awit = skill in singing).

Example Sentences

1. Nakitaan ang iyang kahanas sa pagdula og gitara.
   → “His skill in playing the guitar was noticed.”
2. Ang kahanas sa maestro makatabang sa mga estudyante.
   → “The teacher’s proficiency helps the students.”
3. Gipangayo sa kompanya ang kahanas sa teknolohiya.
   → “The company requires skill in technology.”

Busa

Meaning

• Therefore / so / thus

Part of Speech

• Conjunction

Situations Where It’s Used

• When giving a conclusion, result, or consequence.
• Common in both spoken and written Cebuano, including storytelling, formal speeches, and daily conversation.
• Equivalent to English “so / therefore / hence.”

Example Sentences

1. Wala siya magtuon, busa bagsak siya sa eksamen.
   → “He didn’t study, so he failed the exam.”
2. Daghan kaayo og tawo sa dalan, busa na-late ko sa trabaho.
   → “There were many people on the road, therefore I was late for work.”
3. Uwanon ang panahon, busa dili ta manglaag karon.
   → “The weather is rainy, so we won’t go out today.”

Pagsulbad

Meaning

• Solving / the act of solving / resolution
• From root sulbad = solve, fix, resolve; with prefix pag- = noun/verb form (the act of).

Part of Speech

• Noun (the act of solving)
• Verb (infinitive / command: to solve)

Situations Where It’s Used

• Talking about solving problems, exercises, or conflicts.
• Common in school (math, assignments), work (issues, challenges), or life situations.
• Used in both formal and informal Cebuano.

Example Sentences

1. Lisod ang pagsulbad sa problema sa matematika.
   → “Solving the math problem is difficult.”
2. Nangayo siya og tabang sa pagsulbad sa iyang kalisod.
   → “He asked for help in resolving his hardship.”
3. Importante ang pagsulbad sa panagbangi sa pamilya.
   → “It is important to resolve family conflicts.”

Tudloan

Meaning

• Will be taught / to be taught
• From root tudlo = to teach, with suffix -an = object-focus (the receiver of the teaching).

Part of Speech

• Verb (future / passive-focus)

Situations Where It’s Used

• When referring to the person who will be taught.
• Common in schools, training, or any learning situation.
• Focus is on the student/learner (not the teacher).

Example Sentences

1. Ang mga bata tudloan sa maestra ug pagbasa.
   → “The children will be taught reading by the teacher.”
2. Tudloan tika og English kung ganahan ka.
   → “I will teach you English if you like.”
3. Tudloan sila unsaon paggamit sa kompyuter.
   → “They will be taught how to use the computer.”

Alang

Meaning

• For / intended for / in behalf of

Part of Speech

• Preposition

Situations Where It’s Used

• When expressing purpose or who something is intended for.
• Common in both spoken and written Cebuano (letters, announcements, dedications).
• Equivalent to English “for (the benefit of)”.

Example Sentences

1. Kini nga mensahe alang sa tanan nga estudyante.
   → “This message is for all the students.”
2. Ang donasyon alang sa mga biktima sa baha.
   → “The donation is for the flood victims.”
3. Mag-ampo ko alang sa imong kalampusan.
   → “I will pray for your success.”

Timaan

Meaning

• Sign / mark / signal / indication

Part of Speech

• Noun

Situations Where It’s Used

• Referring to physical signs (marks, symbols, signals).
• Talking about indications or omens (figurative use).
• Common in daily speech, school, and even in superstitious or religious contexts.

Example Sentences

1. Kini nga timaan nagpasabot nga delikado ang dalan.
   → “This sign means the road is dangerous.”
2. Ang iyang kalipay timaan sa iyang kalampusan.
   → “His happiness is a sign of his success.”
3. Naghatag siya ug timaan nga mosugot siya.
   → “She gave a signal that she agreed.”

Sayón

Meaning

• Easy / simple / not difficult

Part of Speech

• Adjective

Situations Where It’s Used

• When describing tasks, situations, or problems that are easy to do.
• Very common in daily speech, school, and work.
• Often paired with kaayo (very), as in sayon kaayo = “very easy.”

Example Sentences

1. Sayón ra ang eksamen ganiha.
   → “The exam earlier was easy.”
2. Dili sayon ang magtrabaho sa gawas sa nasud.
   → “It’s not easy to work abroad.”
3. Sayón ra nimo masabtan kung maminaw ka ug maayo.
   → “You can easily understand it if you listen well.”

Magsalig

Meaning

• Will rely on / will depend on / will trust in
• From root salig = trust, rely; with prefix mag- = future or habitual action.

Part of Speech

• Verb (future / habitual aspect)

Situations Where It’s Used

• When talking about depending on someone or something.
• Often used in relationships (trust), work (relying on help), or religion (trusting God).
• Can mean both to rely on and to put confidence in.

Example Sentences

1. Ayaw magsalig sa tsamba lang, paningkamot usab.
   → “Don’t just rely on luck, make an effort too.”
2. Magsalig siya sa iyang ginikanan para sa suporta.
   → “He will depend on his parents for support.”
3. Magsalig ta sa Ginoo sa tanang butang.
   → “We will trust in God in all things.”

FLASHCARDS

DIALOGUE PRACTICE

Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.

Cebuano Dialogue

Joyce: Nag unsa ka?
Leah: Nagtuon ko para sa eksam.
Joyce: Unsa nga klaseng eksam ang imong kuhaon?
Leah: Eksam sa bookkeeping. Ang akong ginikanan kay naay tindahan, busa gusto nako makakuha og kahanas sa mga numero.
Joyce: Maayo nga makakuha og kahanas sa mga numero. Maayo kaayo ko sa mga numero, busa kung adunay bisan unsa nga wala nimo masabtan, pangutan-a lang ko.
Leah: Unya, wala ko kasabot sa pangutana ani.
Joyce: Okay, maayo kana nga pangutana.
Joyce: Para nimo unsaon kana nimo pagsulbad?
Leah: Dili oi, mao na akong pangutana …
Joyce: Kung tudloan tika sa tanan sa pagsulbad, dili kana maayo alang kanimo, diba?
Leah: Unya, tagai ako og usa ka timaan.
Joyce: Wala’y mga timaan sa usa ka eksam sa bookkeeping, di ba?
Leah: Unya unsaon nako kini pagsulbad?
Joyce: Kailangan nimo nga mahibal-an kana nga ikaw ra.
Leah: Seryoso ka? Gisultihan mo ako nga mangutana kanimo bisan unsa bahin sa usa ka eksam sa bookkeeping, dili ba? Sa tinuod lang, wala ka kahibaw unsaon pagsulbad sa tubag, sa?
Joyce: Ngano gipili nimo ang pagkuha sa sayon nga pamaagi? Dili ka dapat magsalig sa ubang taw. Ang imo ra jud nga kaugalingon ang imong saligan.
Leah: Seryoso ka o nagbinoang? Gipangutana ko lang ikaw tungod kay engun ka mangutana ko kung wala ko kasabot sa pangutana sa usa ka eksam sa bookkeeping.
Joyce: Hala! Ayaw kasuko! Kalma lang. Dili ra ba maayo nga masuko.
Leah: Igo na!

English Translation

Joyce: What are you doing?
Leah: I’m studying for an exam.
Joyce: What kind of exam will you take?
Leah: It’s a bookkeeping test. My parents run a store, so I want to gain a skill in numbers.
Joyce: It’s good to gain a skill in numbers. I’m very good with numbers, so if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me.
Leah: Then, I don’t understand the question here.
Joyce: Okay, this is a good question.
Joyce: How do you think you can solve it?
Leah: No, that’s what I’m asking… (The look of confusion)
Joyce: If I teach you everything to solve, it won’t be good for you, will it?
Leah: Then, give me a hint.
Joyce: There are no hints in a bookkeeping exam, right?
Leah: Then how do I solve it?
Joyce: You have to figure it out on your own.
Leah: Are you serious? You told me to ask you anything about a bookkeeping exam, didn’t you? You don’t know how to solve the answer, do you? (a bit angry)
Joyce: Why do you choose to take the easy way out? You shouldn’t depend on other people. You only have yourself to rely on.
Leah: Are you serious or joking? I just asked you because you told me to ask any question if I don’t understand a bookkeeping exam question…….(The look of real confusion)
Joyce: Oh no! Don’t be mad! Calm down. It’s unhealthy to be angry.
Leah: That’s enough. (She rolled her eyes)(sigh)

LESSON

The question ‘What are you doing?’ has different expressions in Cebuano.
 Nag unsa ka?
 Ga unsa ka?
 Naga unsa ka?

⚫ Unsa nga klaseng + N?
Unsa nga klaseng eksam ang imong kuhaon?
What kind of exam will you take?

Unsa nga klaseng pagkaon ang imong kan-on?
What kind of food do you eat?

Unsa nga klaseng sanina ang iyang ganahan?
What kind of clothes does he/she like?

⚫ V + S +O
Natuon ko para sa eksam.
I’m studying for an exam.

Nagkaon sila og pan.
They are eating bread.

Niadto siya sa merkado.
She/He went to the market.

COMPREHENSION QUIZ

Directions: Choose the correct answer.

1. How do you say ‘kind of’ in Cebuano?
   a. tudloan sa
   b. sayon nga
   c. klasa nga
   d. magsalig
2. Which of the questions are incorrect?
   a. Ga unsa ka?
   b. Mo unsa ka?
   c. Nag unsa ka?
   d. Naga unsa ka?
3. How do you say ‘studying’ in Cebuano?
   a. busa
   b. sayon
   c. tudloan
   d. nagtuon
4. What is the translation of the word ‘hint’ in Cebuano?
   a. pagsulbad
   b. timaan
   c. kahanas
   d. kuhaon
5. How do you say ‘for’ in Cebuano?
   a. alang
   b. busa
   c. sayon
   d. kahanas

EXERCISE

Arrange the words to make sentences.

1. para / ko / natuon / eksam / sa
2. pagkaon / nga / imong / unsa / kan-on / klaseng / ang / ?
3. unsa / ka / nag / ?
4. eksam / imong / unsa / ang / nga / imong / kuhaon / klaseng / ?
5. merkado / siya / niadto / sa

REVIEW

Directions: Let’s use the pattern that you’ve learned during the lesson and make sentences.

For example:
Natuon ko para sa eksam.
I’m studying for an exam.

⚫ Unsa nga klaseng + N?

1. –
2. –
3. –

⚫ V + S +O

1. –
2. –
3. –