Cebuano Word: layo
1. Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences
Part of speech: Adverb of distance (also used adjectivally, “far, distant”).
Core meaning: Indicates that someone or something is at a considerable distance (“far,” “a long way off”).
Everyday example sentences
- Layo pa kaayo ang terminal. — The terminal is still very far.
- Nilangoy siya layo gikan sa baybayon. — He swam far from the shore.
- Ayaw na, layo ra man to. — Never mind; that place is really far.
2. Points to Keep in Mind when Learning Adverbs like layo
- Deictic contrast: layo (“far”) is the natural opposite of duol (“near”); mastering both helps you describe spatial relations clearly.
- Intensity markers: Add kaayo (very), jud/gid (indeed), or kaayo kaayo (extremely) for emphasis: layo kaayo.
- Combination with pa (“still”): layo pa expresses remaining distance: “still far.”
- Flexible role: Though primarily adverbial, layo can serve as a predicate adjective without the copula ma-: Layo ang syudad.
- Common prefixes: kalayo (noun, “distance”), palayo (verb, “to move away”) are derived forms worth noting.
3. Common Collocations
- layo pa — still far
- layo kaayo — very far
- layo sa + place/object — far from …
- layo ra — really far / just far
- molakaw ug layo — walk a long way
4. Typical Sentence Position
- Predicative / clause-initial: Layo pa ang dalan.
- Post-verbal (neutral adverbial): Nag-drive sila layo kagabii.
Both positions are acceptable; initial placement adds focus to the idea of distance.
5. Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases
- Layo pa ka? — Are you still far?
- Ayaw adto, layo ra kaayo. — Don’t go; it is much too far.
- Layo pa ta sa atong tuyo. — We are still far from our goal.
- Dili ko gusto ug layo nga biyahe. — I do not like long trips.
- Layo kaayo ni sa tinuod. — That is far from the truth (figurative).
6. Five Everyday Conversation Exchanges
- A: Asa ka karon?
B: Layo pa ko sa inyong balay. Where are you now? – I’m still far from your house. - A: Ganahan ka mo-adto sa bukid?
B: Medyo layo man, pero okay ra nako. Do you want to go to the mountain? – It’s rather far, but it’s fine with me. - A: Unsaon nato pag-uli?
B: Mag-taxi ta kay layo ra ang lakaw. How should we go home? – Let’s take a taxi because walking is too far. - A: Naa pa ba silay tindahan diri?
B: Aduna, pero layo pa gamay sa kanto. Is there still a shop here? – Yes, but it’s a bit farther at the corner. - A: Dugay pa ka maka-abot?
B: Oo, layo pa gyud ang akong gi-biyahe. Will you take long to arrive? – Yes, my trip is still far indeed.
7. Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions
Questions and Answer Choices
Q1. Asa man nato ibutang ang bodega?
A. Ibutang nato layo sa balay.
B. Layo sa balay ibutang nato.
C. Sa balay ibutang layo nato.
Q2. Kinsay mag-deliver sa kahoy?
A. Si Pedro layo mag-deliver niini.
B. Layo mag-deliver niini si Pedro.
C. Mag-deliver si Pedro niini layo.
Q3. Kanus-a ta molarga?
A. Molarga ta layo ugma sa buntag.
B. Ta layo molarga ugma sa buntag.
C. Ugma sa buntag molarga ta layo.
Q4. Diin man gikan ang prutas?
A. Gikan kini layo sa bukid.
B. Kini layo gikan sa bukid.
C. Sa bukid gikan layo kini.
Q5. Unsaon nato pag-dali?
A. Likay ta sa layo nga ruta.
B. Sa layo nga ruta likay ta.
C. Layo nga ruta sa likay ta.
Answer Key and Explanations
- Q1 – A. Standard order: Verb + Subject + Adverbial (Ibutang nato layo …).
- Q2 – A. Subject marker Si precedes the name, followed by verb and adverb of distance.
- Q3 – A. Adverbial layo directly follows the verb phrase; temporal phrase comes after.
- Q4 – A. Correct pattern keeps gikan before source and places layo right after.
- Q5 – A. Imperative structure places verb (likay) immediately before subject.
