balik

Cebuano Word: balik

(As an adverb, balik means “again” or “back.” As a verb root, it means “to return,” but today we focus on the adverbial use.)

1 Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences

• Part of speech: adverb (repetition / return)
• Core meaning: again; back to a previous place or state

Example sentences

• Balik ko trabaho ugma. — I will be back at work tomorrow.
• Palihug basa balik. — Please read it again.
• Gi-repair na, pero naguba balik. — It was repaired, but it broke again.

2 Learning Points for Cebuano Adverbs (focus on balik)

1. Repetition vs. motion: As an adverb it marks “again,” but it also blends with verb forms (mobalik = “will return”).
2. Position: Usually follows the verb it modifies (“Buhata balik”), or comes after the subject at sentence end (“Balik siya karon”).
3. Compound use: You can pair with usab (formal) or pud (casual) for emphasis—“Balik usab” = “read once more again.”
4. Reduplication: Balik-balik means “repeatedly/over and over.”
5. Negation: For “not again,” simply negate the clause (“Dili na ko balik buhat ani.”).

3 Common Collocations

• balik na – back again now
• balik pa – still back again (rare)
• balik usab – again once more
• balik-balik – repeatedly
• mobalik (verb) – will return

4 Typical Sentence Position

• After the verb (neutral): “Sulayi balik.”
• Clause-final for light emphasis: “Mokaon siya balik.”

5 Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases

• “Balik na ta sa opisina.” — Let’s go back to the office.
• “I-try balik kung di molihok.” — Try again if it doesn’t work.
• “Balik lang sunod semana.” — Just come back next week.
• “Ayaw na pag-balik sa sayop.” — Don’t repeat the mistake.
• “Balik ko unya ha.” — I’ll be back later, okay?

6 Five Everyday Conversation Exchanges

1. A: Moadto ka pa sa café?
   B: Balik ko unya para sa dessert.
   A: Will you still go to the café?
   B: I’ll go back later for dessert.
2. A: Nabasa nimo ang email?
   B: Oo, pero basahon nako balik aron masabtan gyud.
   A: Did you read the email?
   B: Yes, but I will read it again to really understand.
3. A: Gi-ayos na ba ang printer?
   B: Gi-ayos, apan naguba balik pagkahuman sa usa ka adlaw.
   A: Has the printer been fixed?
   B: It was fixed, but it broke again after a day.
4. A: Kanus-a ta mag-meeting?
   B: Balik ta mag-meeting ugma buntag alas dyes.
   A: When will we meet?
   B: We’ll meet again tomorrow morning at ten.
5. A: Naa kay planong mubiyahe?
   B: Balik ko sa Cebu karong Pasko.
   A: Do you plan to travel?
   B: I’m going back to Cebu this Christmas.

7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Balik ba ka sa tindahan karon?
A. Balik ka ba sa tindahan karon.
B. Balik ko sa tindahan karon.
C. Sa tindahan balik ko karon.

Q2. Mobalik ba sila ug trabaho ugma?
A. Ugma mobalik sila trabaho ba.
B. Sila mobalik ug trabaho ugma.
C. Mobalik sila ug trabaho ugma.

Q3. Basahon balik nimo ang sulat?
A. Balik basahon nimo ang sulat.
B. Basahon balik nimo ang sulat.
C. Nimo basahon balik ang sulat.

Q4. Nigamit balik ka sa laptop?
A. Ka nigamit balik sa laptop.
B. Nigamit balik ko sa laptop.
C. Sa laptop ko balik nigamit.

Q5. Balik na ba ang kuryente?
A. Ang kuryente balik na ba.
B. Balik na ang kuryente.
C. Kuryente na balik ang.

Answer Key

• Q1 → B Declarative “Balik ko sa tindahan karon” keeps verb/adverb first, subject after; others mis-order subject or adverb.
• Q2 → C Verb mobalik, subject, object, time; answers A & B move elements out of standard order.
• Q3 → B Verb basahon, adverb balik, pronoun, object; A & C incorrectly shuffle positions.
• Q4 → B Predicate nigamit balik ko, object last; other options break clause flow.
• Q5 → B Adverb phrase balik na plus subject; A & C separate “balik” from “na” or subject.