1. Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences
- Part of speech: numeral (cardinal)
- Meaning: “dos mil” = two thousand (2 000)
| Cebuano | English |
|---|---|
| Naay dos mil ka tawo sa stadion. | There are two thousand people in the stadium. |
| Nag-order sila ug dos mil ka itlog. | They ordered two thousand eggs. |
| Ang kantidad kay dos mil pesos. | The amount is two thousand pesos. |
2. Number Origin
- Spanish-based compound (dos = 2 + mil = 1 000).
- Formal native Bisaya counterpart: duha ka libo.
3. Cebuano- vs Spanish-Based Numbers
| Native series (duha ka libo ug lima ka gatos = 2 500) | Spanish series (dos mil, dos mil kinyentos) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where used | Ritual speech, folk songs, some rural talk | Prices, dates, pagination, everyday chat |
| Word order | “<digit> ka libo ug …” | “dos mil <hundreds/tens>” |
| Mixing | Avoid mixing inside one figure | Remains consistent |
4. Detailed Usage Notes
- Pronunciation: /dos ˈmil/ (two quick syllables).
- Classifier ka: dos mil ka libro = 2 000 books.
- Plural-invariant: unlike mil → miles in Spanish, Cebuano dos mil never changes.
- Playful clock joke: alas otso ug dos mil (8 : 2 000 – an obvious joke).
- Stands alone as a short reply: “Dos mil.”
5. Five Common Pitfalls
| # | Pitfall | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Using digits alone in formal Cebuano (2 000 ka minuto) | Spell out dos mil |
| 2 | Mixing systems (duha ka libo kinyentos) | Choose dos mil kinyentos or duha ka libo ug kinyentos |
| 3 | Stressing the wrong syllable (dos miĺ) | Say DÓS mil |
| 4 | Dropping ka with nouns (dos mil bata) | dos mil ka bata |
| 5 | Forgetting the unit in money (dos mil) | dos mil pesos |
6. Common Collocations
- dos mil pesos – ₱2 000
- dos mil ka minuto – 2 000 minutes
- dos mil ka adlaw – 2 000 days
- dos mil anyos – 2 000 years (hyperbole)
- dos mil ka piraso – 2 000 pieces
7. Common Mistakes & Things to Watch Out For
- Misspelling (dox mil, dos meel).
- Adding mga (mga dos mil ka …).
- Using commas instead of spaces/dots in large figures (write 2 000 or dos mil, not 2,000 in Cebuano text).
- Forgetting ug when switching to native wording.
- Saying mil dos for 2 000 (reversed).
8. Five Frequent Conversational Phrases
- Dos mil tanan. – The total is 2 000.
- Na-late ko ug dos mil ka minuto. – I was 2 000 minutes late.
- Dos mil ra gyod! – Make it just 2 000!
- Dos mil ang budget. – The budget is 2 000.
- Quota kay dos mil ka buok. – The quota is 2 000 pieces.
9. Five Mini-Dialogues
| # | Cebuano Dialogue | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A: Pila ang pamasahe? B: Dos mil pesos ra. | How much is the fare? – Only ₱2 000. |
| 2 | A: Tag-pila ning mansanas? B: Dos mil pesos ang kilo. | How much are these apples? – ₱2 000 per kilo. |
| 3 | A: Unsa kadugay ang klase? B: Mga dos mil ka minuto. | How long is the class? – About 2 000 minutes. |
| 4 | A: Pila kabuok bisita? B: Naay dos mil ka bisita. | How many guests? – There are 2 000. |
| 5 | A: Unsang oras nagsugod ang salida? B: Alas siyete ug dos mil (joke). | What time did the show start? – 7 : 2 000 (just kidding). |
10. Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions
Q1. Pila ang imong allowance?
A. Pesos allowance dos mil akong.
B. Dos mil pesos akong allowance.
C. Allowance akong dos mil pesos.
Q2. Pila ka adlaw ang training?
A. Dos mil adlaw ka.
B. Ka adlaw dos mil.
C. Dos mil ka adlaw.
Q3. Unsa kadugay ang biyahe?
A. Dos mil ka minuto ang biyahe.
B. Ka minuto dos mil ang biyahe.
C. Ang biyahe dos mil ka minuto ang.
Q4. Pila kabuok estudyante sa klase?
A. Dos mil ka estudyante naa.
B. Estudyante dos mil ka naa.
C. Naa dos mil ka estudyante ka.
Q5. Unsang oras ka miabot?
A. Miabot ko dos mil alas dos ug.
B. Ko miabot dos mil ug alas dos.
C. Alas dos ug dos mil ko miabot.
Answer Key
| Q | Correct Choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Correct order: numeral → pesos → “akong allowance.” |
| 2 | C | Counting pattern: numeral + ka + noun. |
| 3 | A | Sequence: numeral + ka + minutes + topic noun. |
| 4 | A | Numeral phrase precedes existential naa. |
| 5 | C | Cebuano time format “Alas [hour] ug [minutes].” |
