1 Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences
- Part of speech: time marker / prepositional particle
- Meaning: alas – “at … o’clock”; placed directly before a Spanish-based numeral to state the clock time.
Example sentences
- Mag-meeting ta alas dos. – Let us meet at two o’clock.
- Nisugod ang klase alas otso sa buntag. – The class started at eight o’clock in the morning.
- Moabot ko alas siyete sa gabii. – I will arrive at seven o’clock in the evening.
2 Points to Keep in Mind (Days- / Time-Related Vocabulary)
- Alas + Spanish numeral shows the exact hour: alas dos, alas tres.
- For 1 o’clock, use the shortened form “ala una,” not alas una.
- Do not pair alas with native Cebuano numbers (alas duha is ungrammatical).
- Add parts of the day or dates for clarity: alas kwatro sa hapon; sa Lunes, alas nuwebe.
- Keep the time phrase close to the verb so listeners immediately grasp when the action happens.
3 Common Collocations
- alas dos / alas tres / alas kwatro – 2 p.m. / 3 p.m. / 4 p.m.
- ala una – 1 o’clock
- alas nwebe sa buntag – 9 a.m.
- alas onse sa gabii – 11 p.m.
- alas kwatro imedya – 4:30
4 Typical Position in a Sentence
- After the verb phrase: Mo-lakat ko alas singko.
- Fronted for emphasis: Alas dos ko niya gitawagan.
- Inside a time clause: Human alas siyete, nag-panihapon mi.
5 Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases
- Libre ka ba alas tres? – Are you free at three o’clock?
- Ayaw kalimti ang tawag alas nuwebe sa buntag. – Don’t forget the 9 a.m. call.
- Magkita ta ala una sa kantina. – Let’s meet at one o’clock in the canteen.
- Kan-an mi ug panud-an alas dose imedya. – We will eat lunch at twelve-thirty.
- Dili ko mouli og ulahi; alas onse sa gabii ra kutob ko. – I don’t go home very late; eleven p.m. is my limit.
6 Five Simple Conversation Exchanges
- A: Kanus-a ta molarga?
B: Alas kwatro ta molarga aron dili init.
A: When shall we leave?
B: Let’s leave at four o’clock so it’s not hot. - A: Unsa orasa ni-abot si Ana?
B: Ni-abot siya alas siyete sa buntag.
A: What time did Ana arrive?
B: She arrived at seven in the morning. - A: Libre ka ba alas dos karon?
B: Oo, pwede ko ana nga oras.
A: Are you free at two o’clock today?
B: Yes, that time works for me. - A: Ma-extend ta sa meeting?
B: Dili, hangtod ra alas singko ang kwarto.
A: Can we extend the meeting?
B: No, the room is only until five o’clock. - A: Makapasa ka sa report ala una?
B: Oo, human na gyud ko ana nga orasa.
A: Can you submit the report at one o’clock?
B: Yes, I’ll be finished by that time.
7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions
Q1. Unsa imong buhaton alas otso?
A. Alas otso buhaton nako ang lista.
B. Buhaton nako ang lista alas otso.
C. Nako alas otso buhaton ang lista.
Q2. Moadto ba ka alas tres sa opisina?
A. Sa opisina moadto ka alas tres?
B. Moadto ka alas tres sa opisina.
C. Alas tres sa opisina ka moadto?
Q3. Magsugod ba ang klase alas nuwebe?
A. Magsugod alas nuwebe ang klase.
B. Ang klase magsugod alas nuwebe.
C. Alas nuwebe magsugod ang klase.
Q4. Libre ba siya ala una?
A. Libre ba ala una siya?
B. Siya libre ba ala una?
C. Libre siya ala una.
Q5. Mahuman ba nimo ang trabaho alas singko?
A. Mahuman nimo alas singko ang trabaho.
B. Alas singko mahuman nimo ang trabaho.
C. Ang trabaho mahuman nimo alas singko.
Answer Key
- Q1 – Correct: B
Natural declarative order: verb + actor + object followed by the time phrase alas otso. - Q2 – Correct: B
Predicate “Moadto ka” immediately followed by time phrase and destination; the others split elements awkwardly. - Q3 – Correct: A
Verb “Magsugod” then time phrase then subject keeps clear flow. - Q4 – Correct: C
Predicate “Libre siya” first, time phrase ala una last; other choices invert and confuse subject/time. - Q5 – Correct: C
Subject “ang trabaho” + verb phrase then time phrase gives a smooth, affirmative statement; the others misplace subject or time.
