Cebuano Word Focus: apan
1. Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences
- Part of speech: Conjunction (contrastive, formal)
- Meaning: “but / however / nevertheless” – links two clauses that contrast.
Example sentences
- Nindot ang tan-aw sa baybayon, apan kusog ang hangin.
“The view of the beach is beautiful, but the wind is strong.” - Gusto ko moadto, apan aduna koy laing buluhaton.
“I want to go, but I have another task.” - Dako ang diskwento, apan mahal gihapon para nako.
“The discount is big, yet it is still expensive for me.”
2. Points to Keep in Mind When Learning Conjunctions like apan
- Register: Apan sounds more formal or literary than pero; you will see it in news, speeches, or essays.
- Clause order: The first clause states something; the apan-clause adds the contrast. Reversing the order is uncommon.
- No comma in casual Cebuano: Written punctuation is optional; pause naturally when speaking.
- Single connector rule: Do not place ug, kay, or another conjunction right after apan.
- Pronunciation: Stress the first syllable lightly (ʔá-pan); keep the vowels short.
3. Common Collocations with apan
- buotan apan istrikto – “kind but strict”
- gusto apan dili mahimo – “want to but cannot”
- nindot apan mahal – “nice yet expensive”
- miadto apan wala mag-dugay – “went but did not stay long”
- kugi apan kapoy – “diligent but tired”
4. Typical Position in a Sentence
Main clause apan contrast clause.
Example: Nag-ulan, apan mi-padayon sila sa biyahe.
“It rained, but they continued the trip.”
5. Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases
- Ganahan ko, apan busy ko karon. – “I’d like to, but I’m busy now.”
- Lami ni, apan taas og presyo. – “This is tasty, but the price is high.”
- Pwede ka, apan paspasa lang. – “You may, but be quick.”
- Nindot ang salida, apan taas kaayo. – “The movie is good, but very long.”
- Gigutom ko, apan wala koy kwarta. – “I’m hungry, but I have no money.”
6. Five Simple Conversation Exchanges Using apan
- A: Moadto ka sa party ugma?
B: Gusto unta ko, apan naa koy trabaho ugma. - A: Nindot ba ang libro?
B: Nindot siya, apan lisod sabton sa bata. - A: Paliton nimo ang sapatos?
B: Apan usa pa ko mag-hunahuna, kay mahal. - A: Mokuyog ka sa hiking?
B: Apan dili ko ready karon. - A: Nag-practice ka adlaw-adlaw?
B: Oo, apan usahay malangan ko.
1 B: “I’d like to, but I have work tomorrow.”
2 B: “It’s good, but hard for a child to understand.”
3 B: “However, I will still think about it because it’s costly.”
4 B: “But I’m not ready now.”
5 B: “Yes, but sometimes I get delayed.”
7. Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions
Q1. Ganahan ka mokaon, apan busog na ka ba?
A. Busog mokaon apan ko na ganahan ka.
B. Busog na ko apan ganahan ko mokaon.
C. Ganahan ka apan busog ko na mokaon.
Q2. Moadto ka sa mall, apan walay ka sakyan?
A. Moadto ko sa mall apan walay ko sakyan.
B. Sakyan walay ko apan moadto sa mall ko.
C. Walay sakyan apan ko moadto sa mall.
Q3. Nindot ba ang panahon karon, apan init kaayo?
A. Init kaayo apan nindot karon ang panahon.
B. Nindot apan init kaayo ang panahon karon.
C. Nindot kaayo init apan ang panahon karon.
Q4. Nakapalit ka ba sa libro, apan mahal ra?
A. Nakapalit sa libro ako apan mahal ra.
B. Apan mahal ra nakapalit ako sa libro.
C. Nakapalit ko sa libro apan mahal ra gyod.
Q5. Nag-tuon ka karon, apan gikapoy ka?
A. Nag-tuon gikapoy ka apan karon.
B. Gikapoy ko apan nag-tuon ko karon.
C. Apan nag-tuon ko karon gikapoy ko.
Answer Key & Explanations
- Q1: B – Correct order: main clause “Busog na ko” then contrast with apan.
- Q2: A – Subject + verb + place, followed by apan clause about having no ride.
- Q3: B – “Nindot apan init kaayo” keeps adjective pair properly around apan.
- Q4: C – Declarative statement first, price contrast after apan.
- Q5: B – Main clause “Gikapoy ko” then contrasting action “apan nag-tuon ko karon.”
