Cebuano Word: bata (English: child)
1. Part of Speech
- Noun
2. Singular & Plural
3. Typical Position in a Sentence
Because bata is a common noun, it normally follows the topic-marker ang (or ang mga for the plural) when it is the grammatical subject, and it follows the focus verb or preposition when it functions as an object or complement.
4. Common Collocations
- mga bata – children
- bata pa – still a child / young
- maayong bata – a good child
- bata nga lalaki – boy
- bata nga babaye – girl
- bata ug huna-huna – childish in thinking
5. Detailed Usage Notes
- Denotation: refers to a young human being, from infancy until the teenage years.
- Vocative use: adults may address youngsters directly with Bata! in friendly speech.
- Metaphorical use: when paired with mental-state nouns (bata ug huna-huna), it means “child-like” or “immature.”
- Age reference: adding pa (still) emphasises ongoing youth (bata pa ka = “You are still young”).
6. Mistakes to Watch For
| Issue | Why It Happens | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Omitting the article ang | English speakers often drop Cebuano topic markers. | Insert ang before a definite subject (Ang bata). |
| Confusing bata (child) with Spanish-loan bata (laboratory gown) in some Philippine languages | The homograph misleads beginners. | Check context; Cebuano keeps the “child” meaning almost exclusively. |
| Treating bata as countable without mga | Cebuano plural marking is not –s but mga. | Use mga bata for “children.” |
7. Conversational Phrases
- Asa ang bata? ► Where is the child?
(Interrogative adverb – definite article – noun) - Bata pa siya. ► He/She is still a child.
(Noun – aspect marker – pronoun) - Tabangi ang bata, palihug. ► Help the child, please.
(Verb-imperative – article – noun – politeness particle) - Maabtikon nga bata kini. ► This is a diligent child.
(Adjective – linker – noun – demonstrative) - Nag-hilak ang bata. ► The child is crying.
(Aspect marker-verb – article – noun)
8. Conversation Exchanges
Conversation 1
A: Asa nagdula ang bata? ► Where is the child playing?
B: Nagdula siya sa plasa. ► He is playing at the plaza.Conversation 2
A: Unsa’y ganahan sa bata? ► What does the child like?
B: Ganahan siya og tsokolate. ► He likes chocolate.Conversation 3
A: Kinsa ang magbantay sa bata karon? ► Who will watch the child now?
B: Ako ang magbantay sa bata. ► I will watch the child.Conversation 4
A: Ngano naghilak ang bata? ► Why is the child crying?
B: Gigutom ang bata. ► The child is hungry.Conversation 5
A: Kanus-a matulog ang bata? ► When will the child sleep?
B: Matulog siya pagkahuman sa dulà. ► He will sleep after the game.
Questions
1. Asa nagdula ang bata karon?
(Where is the child playing now?)
- A. Nagdula karon ang bata sa garden.
- B. Sa garden nagdula ang bata karon.
- C. Ang bata sa garden karon nagdula.
2. Unsa’y gipangayo sa bata?
(What did the child ask for?)
3. Kinsa ang mag-alaga sa bata unya?
(Who will take care of the child later?)
- A. Si Maria ang mag-alaga sa bata unya.
- B. Mag-alaga unya si Maria sa bata ang.
- C. Ang si Maria unya mag-alaga sa bata.
4. Kanus-a mamatikod nimo nga nipahuway ang bata?
(When did you notice that the child rested?)
- A. Mamatikod nimo kanus-a nga nipahuway ang bata.
- B. Kanus-a nimo mamatikod nga nipahuway ang bata.
- C. Nipahuway kanus-a ang bata nimo mamatikod.
5. Ngano nga nag-katawa ang bata?
(Why is the child laughing?)
- A. Tungod sa dulà nag-katawa ang bata.
- B. Ang bata tungod sa dulà nag-katawa.
- C. Nag-katawa tungod sa dulà ang bata.
Correct Answers and Explanations
1. ✅ Correct Answer: B. Sa garden nagdula ang bata karon.
Explanation: The prepositional phrase “sa garden” (in the garden) comes first, followed by the verb and subject. This order is natural in Cebuano.
2. ✅ Correct Answer: B. Ang lapis gipangayo sa bata.
Explanation: The noun “ang lapis” (the pencil) is in focus at the beginning, followed by the verb phrase. This is the standard object-focus sentence pattern.
3. ✅ Correct Answer: A. Si Maria ang mag-alaga sa bata unya.
Explanation: The personal name “Si Maria” correctly appears with the personal marker “Si,” and “ang” marks her as the one in focus who will do the action.
4. ✅ Correct Answer: B. Kanus-a nimo mamatikod nga nipahuway ang bata.
Explanation: The question word “Kanus-a” (When) is at the front. The verb “mamatikod” (to notice) and pronoun “nimo” (by you) follow in the natural order.
5. ✅ Correct Answer: A. Tungod sa dulà nag-katawa ang bata.
Explanation: The phrase “Tungod sa dulà” (because of the game) comes first to show the cause, and the verb-subject combination follows correctly.
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