gamit

1 Part of speech, core meaning, sentence position, and example sentences

Part of speech
- Verb (root): gamit – “to use, employ, make use of”
- Common noun: gamit – “thing, tool, equipment, item”
Sentence position
In a normal Cebuano clause the conjugated verb starts the predicate and any short actor pronoun follows it: Mo-gamit ko ug computer karon.
I will use a computer now.
Example sentences (bullet list, with English translations and full parts-of-speech breakdown)
- Mo-gamit ko ug payong kon moulan. – I will use an umbrella if it rains.
  - Mo-gamit – Verb, actor focus, future aspect
  - ko – Personal pronoun, first-person singular clitic (actor)
  - ug – Object-marker particle
  - payong – Common noun (patient, indefinite)
  - kon – Subordinating conjunction “if”
  - moulan – Verb, actor focus, non-past aspect “it rains”
- Nag-gamit sila sa bag-ong software sa opisina. – They are using the new software in the office.
  - Nag-gamit – Verb, actor focus, progressive aspect
  - sila – Personal pronoun, third-person plural (actor)
  - sa – Object-/locative-marker particle (definite)
  - bag-ong software – Common noun phrase (patient, definite)
  - sa – Locative-marker particle
  - opisina – Common noun (location)
- Gi-gamit ni Ana ang lamesa isip desk. – The table was used by Ana as a desk.
  - Gi-gamit – Verb, patient focus, past aspect
  - ni – Genitive marker for personal names
  - Ana – Proper noun (actor)
  - ang – Subject-marker particle
  - lamesa – Common noun (patient)
  - isip – Preposition “as”
  - desk – Common noun (complement)

2 Principal verb derivations

Form	Focus & aspect	Standard translation	Sample sentence
mag-gamit	Actor focus, habitual / future	“be (habitually) using”	Mag-gamit sila ug mask kon duna pay alikabok. – They usually wear masks if there is still dust.
mo-gamit	Actor focus, non-past / imperative	“will use; use!”	Mo-gamit ta sa pundo nga pondo ugma. – Let’s use the reserved funds tomorrow.
nag-gamit	Actor focus, progressive / recent past	“is / was using”	Nag-gamit siya sa laptop karon. – She is currently using the laptop.
mi-gamit / ni-gamit	Actor focus, completed past	“used”	Ni-gamit ko sa card gahapon. – I used the card yesterday.
gi-gamit	Patient focus, completed past	“was used (by …)”	Gi-gamit sa tigulang ang sungkod. – The cane was used by the elder.
gamiton (-on)	Patient focus, future / imperative	“to be used / use it”	Gamiton nato kini nga pamaagi. – We will use this method.
gamitan (-an)	Locative / addressee focus	“to use on / with; application site”	Gamitan nimo og mantika ang kawali. – Apply oil to the pan.

3 Common phrases

gamit ug cellphone – use a cellphone
gamit sa internet – internet usage
mag-gamit og maskara – wear a mask
gi-gamit sa eskuylahan – used in the school
gamiton ang oportunidad – seize (use) the opportunity

4 Detailed usage notes

Verb vs. noun – Context decides whether gamit means “use” (verb) or “thing/equipment” (noun): daghang gamit – “many things / tools.”
Actor-focus prevalence – Daily speech favours mo-gamit, nag-gamit, etc.; patient-focus gi-gamit is common in passive contexts (“was used”).
Object markers – Use ug for non-specific items (gamit ug kutsilyo – use a knife), sa/kini/niining for specific ones (gamit sa kini nga kutsilyo – use this knife).
Locative / instrument focus – gamitan surfaces when emphasising the target or medium: gamitan og glue – apply glue to.
Reduplication – gamit-gamit may suggest trying out or casually using something.

5 Common mistakes and things to watch out for

Mistake	Issue	Correct form
Mo-gamit ako ug printer.	Actor clitic is misplaced.	Mo-gamit ko ug printer.
Gi-gamit ko ang laptop.	With gi-, the actor must be genitive (ni / sa).	Gi-gamit ni ko ang laptop.
Gamiton ta siya!	Imperative takes wrong suffix when the focus is addressee / locative.	Gamit-i siya!

6 Short everyday conversations

A: Unsay imong gamiton pag-luto? – What will you use for cooking?
B: Mo-gamit ko ug olive oil. – I’ll use olive oil.
A: Nag-gamit ba sila sa projector? – Are they using the projector?
B: Oo, para sa presentasyon. – Yes, for the presentation.
A: Gamit-i ko palihog ani nga app. – Please show me how to use this app.
B: Sige, tudloan tika karon. – Sure, I’ll teach you now.
A: Nganong wala ka ni-gamit sa coupon? – Why didn’t you use the coupon?
B: Nakalimot ko pagdala. – I forgot to bring it.
A: Mag-gamit ta og earphones sa librarya? – Shall we use earphones in the library?
B: Oo, aron dili ta makasamok sa uban. – Yes, so we don’t disturb others.

« Back to Glossary Index