CEBUANO LESSON #49 Learn Cebuano: How to Use Proper Nouns with the Prefix “Ka”

2022/4/19

Learn Cebuano easily with this grammar lesson!
In this video, you will discover how to use the Cebuano prefix “ka–” with proper nouns and abstract nouns.
We will also look at examples of how “ka” shows ownership, relationships, companionship, and even abstract qualities.

You will learn:
✔️ How to use ka– with proper nouns → ka-Amanda, ka-Emmy, ka-Mama, ka-Papa
✔️ How ka– changes adjectives into abstract nouns → kaputi (whiteness), kagahi (hardness)
✔️ How ka– is used for relationships → kauban (companion), kaila (acquaintance), kadugo (relative)
✔️ Everyday examples and conversation practice

This lesson is perfect for:
✔️ Beginners learning Cebuano / Bisaya grammar
✔️ Students who want to understand proper and abstract nouns in Cebuano
✔️ Anyone who wants to use Cebuano naturally in daily life

By the end of this video, you’ll be able to say sentences like:
✨ Kani ka-Amanda – This is for Amanda
✨ Kaputi na nimo Leah oi – You’re so white, Leah
✨ Murag kadugo mo niya – I think you’re related to her

VOCABULARY

Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.

Tawagan

Meaning

  • Tawagan = “to call (someone) by phone” / “to call upon.”

Part of Speech

  • Verb (future or passive form, from root tawag = call).

Usage / Context

  • Commonly used to refer to making a phone call, or in some contexts, calling someone to come over.
  • Often appears as: tawagan nako siya = “I will call him/her.”

Example Sentences

  1. Tawagan tika unya sa hapon.
    → I’ll call you later this afternoon.
  2. Kinsa imong tawagan karon?
    → Who will you call now?
  3. Tawagan siya sa maestro ugma.
    → He/She will be called by the teacher tomorrow.

Bakante

Meaning

  • Bakante = “vacant” / “empty” / “available.”

Part of Speech

  • Adjective (borrowed from Spanish vacante).

Usage / Context

  • Used to describe a room, seat, time, or position that is free or unoccupied.
  • Very common in daily life when talking about schedules, jobs, or spaces.

Example Sentences

  1. Bakante pa ang lingkuranan.
    → The seat is still vacant.
  2. Naay bakante nga kwarto sa hotel.
    → There is a vacant room in the hotel.
  3. Bakante ko ugma sa buntag.
    → I’m free tomorrow morning.

Ihatag

Meaning

  • Ihatag = “to give” / “to hand over.”

Part of Speech

  • Verb (imperative or passive form, from root hatag = give).

Usage / Context

  • Commonly used when asking someone to give or pass something to another person.
  • Often heard at home, in class, or in daily activities like sharing or distributing.
  • As an imperative, it’s polite to add palihog (“please”): Ihatag palihog = “Please give (it).”

Example Sentences

  1. Ihatag nako ang libro sa maestra.
    → I will give the book to the teacher.
  2. Ihatag palihog ang kutsara.
    → Please hand me the spoon.
  3. Ihatag kini sa imong igsoon.
    → Give this to your sibling.

Biyahe

Meaning

  • Biyahe = “trip” / “journey” / “travel.”
  • Can also mean “ride” or “fare/travel time” depending on context.

Part of Speech

  • Noun (from Spanish viaje = journey, trip).

Usage / Context

  • Used to refer to traveling from one place to another, either long-distance (bus, plane, boat) or short (jeepney/tricycle rides).
  • Common in daily Cebuano conversation, especially about commuting, transportation, or trips.

Example Sentences

  1. Layo ang biyahe padulong sa Bogo.
    → The trip to Bogo is long.
  2. Unsa ka dugay ang biyahe gikan diri hangtod Cebu City?
    → How long is the travel from here to Cebu City?
  3. Daghan biyahe ang bus kada adlaw.
    → The bus has many trips every day.

Kapoy

Meaning

  • Kapoy = “tired” / “exhausted” / “weary.”

Part of Speech

  • Adjective (sometimes used as a verb-like expression: nakapoy = got tired).

Usage / Context

  • Used to describe a state of physical or mental tiredness after work, school, travel, or activity.
  • Very common in daily Cebuano conversations.

Example Sentences

  1. Kapoy kaayo ko human sa trabaho.
    → I am very tired after work.
  2. Ngano man kapoy ka?
    → Why are you tired?
  3. Kapoy ang lakaw gikan sa baryo hangtod sa siyudad.
    → Walking from the village to the city is tiring.

Sekreto

Meaning

  • Sekreto = “secret.”

Part of Speech

  • Noun (borrowed from Spanish secreto).

Usage / Context

  • Refers to something hidden, confidential, or not meant to be known by everyone.
  • Common in everyday Cebuano, whether about personal matters, surprises, or private information.

Example Sentences

  1. Adunay sekreto ang duha ka amiga.
    → The two friends have a secret.
  2. Ayaw isulti, kay sekreto ra ni.
    → Don’t tell, because this is just a secret.
  3. Unsa ang imong sekreto sa kalampusan?
    → What is your secret to success?

Mamalihog

Meaning

  • Mamalihog = “to politely ask” / “to request a favor.”

Part of Speech

  • Verb (polite/requestive form).

Usage / Context

  • Commonly used when making a polite request in Cebuano.
  • Often paired with another verb: mamalihog ko og (verb) = “May I please (verb).”
  • Similar to saying “Please” in English, but more formal and polite.

Example Sentences

  1. Mamalihog ko og ihatag ang libro.
    → May I kindly ask you to give me the book.
  2. Mamalihog lang ko nga ablihi ang bintana.
    → Please open the window.
  3. Mamalihog ko og tabang karon.
    → I would like to ask for your help now.

Apilyedo

Meaning

  • Apilyedo = “surname” / “family name.”

Part of Speech

  • Noun (borrowed from Spanish apellido = surname).

Usage / Context

  • Refers to a person’s last name or family name.
  • Common in formal settings such as school, work, government offices, and legal documents.

Example Sentences

  1. Unsa imong apilyedo?
    → What is your surname?
  2. Pareho mig apilyedo sa akong maestro.
    → My teacher and I have the same last name.
  3. Ibutang ang imong apilyedo sa papel.
    → Write your surname on the paper.

Flashcards

DIALOGUE PRACTICE

Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.
Situation: Leah has a short vacation from abroad and invited Jen to her house.

はい、セブアノ語と英語を分けて整理しました。

Cebuano

Calling Jen…
Leah: Tawagan kaha nako si Jen ron sa basin bakante ra siya.
Jen: Hala nanawag si Leah.
Leah: Hello!
Jen: Hello, Leah!
Leah: Jen. Makaanhi ra ka sa balay karong hapon? Naa ta ko’y ihatag ninyo.
Jen: O makaanha ra ko.

In the afternoon…

Jen: Ayo! Ayo! Leah!
Leah: Oi Jen! Dali dayon. Kumusta naman ka oi?
Jen: Okay ra.
Jen: Kumusta man imong biyahe?
Leah: Kapoy gamay pero okay raman.
Jen: Kaputi na nimo Leah oi. Murag nakauyon jud ka didto.
Leah: Lagi, nindot man gud ilang panahon didto.
Leah: Lain pa ato, naa diay koy ihatag ninyo. Gamay ra gud.
Jen: Okay ra oi. Salamat kaayo.
Leah: Kani para imo ni. Kani ka-Amanda. Kani ka-Emmy. Unya, kani para ni ka-mama ug ka-papa nimo.
Jen: Salamat kaayo Leah. Unsa diay ni? Kagahi gud ani hahaha
Leah: hahaha sekreto
Leah: Unya Jen, pwede ko mamalihog nimo?
Jen: O, unsa man?
Leah: Palihog kog hatag ani sa akong kauban sa trabahuan. Moanhi ra siya diri.
Jen: Sige.
Leah: Molakaw man gud mi unya. Walay tawo mahabilin sa balay. Salamat daan.
Jen: Okay ra. Way blema. Salamat sad ani ha.
Leah: Murag kadugo mo niya Jen. Pareha man mo og apilyedo.
Jen: Sa? Basin. Pangutan-on unya to nako basin kaila siya ni mama ug ni papa.
Jen: Salamat kaayo ani Leah ha.

English

Calling Jen…
Leah: How about I’ll call Jen right now maybe she’s vacant.
Jen: Oh Leah is calling.
Leah: Hello!
Jen: Hello, Leah!
Leah: Jen, can you come to the house this afternoon? I have something to give you.
Jen: Yes, I can go there.

In the afternoon…

Jen: Hello! / Anybody home? Leah!
Leah: Come in. How are you?
Jen: I’m fine.
Jen: How about you? How’s your trip?
Leah: I’m a bit tired but it’s fine.
Jen: You’re so white Leah. I think you like there.
Leah: Yeah, the weather over there is nice.
Leah: Anyway, I have something to give you. It’s just a small thing.
Jen: It’s okay. Thank you so much.
Leah: This is for you. This is for Amanda. This is for Emmy. And then, this is for your mother and father.
Jen: Thank you so much Leah. What’s this? It’s so hard. hahaha
Leah: hahaha It’s a secret.
Leah: Then Jen, can I ask you a favor?
Jen: Sure, what is it?
Leah: Please give this to my workmate. She will come here.
Jen: Okay.
Leah: We will go somewhere later. No one will be left at home. Thank you in advance.
Jen: It’s okay. No problem. Thank you for this too.
Leah: I think you’re related. You have the same last name.
Jen: Really? Maybe. I’ll ask her later probably she knows my mother and father.
Jen: Thank you so much for this, Leah.

LESSON

KA
⚫ Is used as a prefix to a proper noun, to refer to a particular place owned by somebody.
We use hyphen (-) when combining this prefix to a proper noun, and the distinguished use of initial capital letter. It is to emphasize the proper noun and to easily identify who owns what.

Examples:
ka + (-) + Amanda = ka-Amanda (Amanda’s ..)
ka + (-) + Emmy = ka-Emmy (Emmy’s ..)
ka + (-) + Mama = ka-Mama (Mom’s..)
ka + (-) + Papa = ka-Papa (Dad’s …)

Kani ka-Amanda.
This is for Amanda.

Kani ka-Emmy.
This is for Emmy.

Kani ka-Mama ug ka-Papa nimo.
This is for your mother and father.

⚫ If the prefix “ka” is joined to root adjective, it transforms the adjective word into abstract noun or something that would name the description mentioned by the base word.
(state of being)

For example:
ka + puti = kaputi (whiteness)
ka + gahi = kagahi ( hardness)

Kaputi na nimo Leah oi.
You’re so white Leah.

Kagahi gud ani
This is hard.

⚫ The prefix “ka” also denotes partnership or companionship.
For examples:
ka + uban = kauban ( a companion)
ka + ila = kaila (acquaintance)

Palihog ko og hatag ani sa akong kauban sa trabahuan.
Please give this to my workmate.
Pangutan-on unya to nako basin kaila siya ni mama ug
papa.
I’ll ask her later probably she knows my mother and father.

⚫ This prefix also denotes sameness of degree.
For example:
ka + dugo = kadugo (same blood related/relative)
Murag kadugo ramo niya Joyce.
I think you’re related.

COMPREHENSION QUIZ

Directions: Choose the correct answer.

  1. What prefix denotes partnership?
    a. ga
    b. magka
    c. ka
    d. pag
  2. Do you use hypen (-) when combining prefix ”ka” to a
    proper noun?
    a. Yes
    b. No
  3. What’s the translation of ”This is for Emmy.”?
    a. Kani kaEmmy
    b. Kani ka-Jenny
    c. Kani kaJenny
    d. Kani ka-Emmy.
  4. The prefix ”ka” denotes sameness of degree.
    a. True
    b. False
  5. How do we say ”kauban” in English?
    a. a companion
    b. an enemy
    c. a friend
    d. a workmate

EXERCISE

Directions: Arrange the words to make sentences.

  1. Leah / na / oi / kaputi / nimo
  2. Joyce / kadugo / niya / murag / ramo
  3. ug / nimo / ka-Mama / ka-Papa / kani
  4. akong / og / trabahuan / palihog / ko / sa / ani / hatag / kauban / sa
  5. siya / unya / mama / pangutan-on / to / papa / ug / basin / ni / kaila / nako

REVIEW

Directions: Let’s use the prefix ”gipa” that you’ve learned during the lesson and make some sentences.

For example:
Kani ka-Amanda.
This is for Amanda.

  1. –
  2. –
  3. –

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