kon

Cebuano Word Focus: “kon”

1 Part of Speech & Meaning

• Part of speech: Conjunction (subordinating)
• Core meaning: “if / when” — introduces a condition or a time clause.

Example sentences

1. Kon mouwan ug kusog, dili ta molarga. – “If it rains hard, we will not leave.”
2. Dawat ka sa trabaho kon molampos ka sa interview. – “You will get the job if you pass the interview.”
3. Kon humana na ka, tawga ko. – “When you are finished, call me.”

2 Points to Remember When Learning Conjunctions like kon

• “kon” vs. “kung”: both mean “if,” but kon is preferred in standard spelling; kung is the everyday variant.
• Clause order is flexible: the kon-clause may come first or after the main clause, but keep the comma only when the kon-clause comes first.
• No double connectors: never write kon ug or kon o together.
• One logical condition per clause: do not pile several kon clauses in a single sentence.
• Pronunciation: short /kon/; avoid turning the “o” into “u.”

3 Common Collocations with kon

• kon dili… – “if not …”
• kon mahimo – “if possible”
• kon gusto ka – “if you like / if you want”
• kon ugaling – “if ever / in case”
• kon kanus-a – “when (the time that)”

4 Typical Position in a Sentence

The kon-clause is a subordinate clause:

• It usually precedes the main clause: Kon malamig, magsuot ko’g jacket.
• It can also follow: Magsuot ko’g jacket kon malamig.
  Either way, kon sits at the very start of its own clause, never alone.

5 Five Everyday Phrases with kon

1. Kon mahimo, palihug ko. – “If possible, please.”
2. Kon gusto ka, apil ko nimo. – “If you want, I’ll join you.”
3. Kon wala ka’y pangutana, sugdi na. – “If you have no questions, start now.”
4. Kon madugay ka pa, texti ko. – “If you will be late, text me.”
5. Kon okay ra nimo, ugma ta. – “If it is fine with you, let’s do it tomorrow.”

6 Five Simple Conversation Exchanges Using kon

1. A: Kon libre ka karon hapon, magkita ta?
   B: Oo, magkita ta kon libre ko karon hapon.
2. A: Unsa imong buhaton kon walay kuryente?
   B: Matulog ra ko kon walay kuryente.
3. A: Moadto ba ka sa party kon tugotan ka ni Mama?
   B: Moadto ko kon tugotan ko niya.
4. A: Kon init kaayo ugma, maligo ta sa dagat?
   B: Maligo ta kon init gyod kaayo.
5. A: Kon makit-an nimo ang libro, ihatag dayon nako?
   B: Oo, ihatag dayon nako kon makit-an nako.

7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Kon dili ka mokaon karon, gutomon ba ka unya?
A. Gutomon kon unya ko dili karon mokaon.
B. Gutomon ko unya kon dili ko mokaon karon.
C. Ko unya gutomon mokaon kon dili karon.

Q2. Kon moubos ang presyo, mopalit ba ka?
A. Kon moubos presyo mopalit ko.
B. Mopalit kon ko presyo moubos.
C. Mopalit ko kon moubos ang presyo.

Q3. Kon libre ka ugma, pwede ba ta magkita?
A. Pwede ta magkita kon libre ka ugma.
B. Kon ugma ta pwede libre ka magkita.
C. Magkita pwede ka ta kon ugma libre.

Q4. Kon init ang panahon, maligo ba ta sa dagat?
A. Kon dagat ta maligo init panahon ang.
B. Maligo ta sa dagat kon init ang panahon.
C. Init kon ta maligo panahon ang sa dagat.

Q5. Kon mahuman nimo ang trabaho, mupahuway ba ka?
A. Pahuway ka kon mahuman trabaho nimo ang.
B. Kon nimo mupahuway ka mahuman trabaho ang.
C. Mupahuway ka kon mahuman nimo ang trabaho.

Answer Key & Explanations

• Q1: B – correct order is “Predicate + time phrase + kon-clause.”
• Q2: C – main statement first, then the kon condition.
• Q3: A – keeps “Pwede ta … kon libre ka ugma” sequence.
• Q4: B – verb + location phrase followed by kon-clause; others scramble elements.
• Q5: C – declarative clause proper, then condition; wrong answers jumble word positions.