mata

Cebuano Word: mata
(Typical English translation: “eye”)

1. Part of Speech, Meaning, Usage, and Example Sentences

• Part of Speech: noun
• Core Meaning: the organ of sight; the eye
• General Usage: mata is used to refer to a single eye; when referring to both eyes, Cebuano usually keeps the same form but may add the article mga (“plural marker”) in formal contexts.
• Everyday Example Sentences
  • Klaro kaayo ang iyang mata. ― “Her eye is very clear.”
  • Gisakit ang akong mata tungod sa aso. ― “My eye hurts because of the smoke.”
  • Ang mata sa bagyo kusog kaayo. ― “The eye of the typhoon is very strong.”
  • Tan-awa sa mata kon tinuod ba. ― “Look with your eye to see if it is real.”
  • Palihog sirad-i ang imong mata samtang nag-spray ko. ― “Please close your eye while I spray.”

2. Singular & Plural Forms

• Singular: mata
• Plural: mga mata (literally “eyes”)

3. Typical Position in a Sentence

• Usually appears as a noun inside a noun phrase functioning as subject, object, or complement.
  • Subject: Ang mata mudawat sa kahayag. ― “The eye receives light.”
  • Object: Ibutang ang patak sa imong mata. ― “Put the drop in your eye.”
  • Complement: Kini mao ang mata sa bagyo. ― “This is the eye of the storm.”

4. Common Collocations

• mga mata – eyes
• pula nga mata – red eye
• dako nga mata – big eye / large eyes
• mata sa bagyo – eye of the typhoon / storm
• mata-mata – to stare intensely

5. Detailed Usage Notes

1. mata does not change form between singular and dual usage; Cebuano often relies on context.
2. When emphasizing more than one eye in careful speech or writing, prefix with mga.
3. Idiomatic extensions (e.g., mata sa bagyo) keep the literal sense of “eye” but refer to a storm’s calm center.
4. Avoid confusing the noun mata with the verb root mata (“to wake up”) in colloquial speech; verb forms take affixes (e.g., namata, pagmata).
5. In polite address (talking about someone’s eye problem), add respect particles such as palihog or daw.

6. Common Mistakes to Watch For

• Mixing verb and noun senses: saying “Nag-mata ko ang akong mata” (“I am waking my eye”) – the first mata should be namata (verb).
• Forgetting the plural marker when descriptive clarity is needed.
• Misplacing possessive pronouns: “ang mata ko” is acceptable but standard order is “ang akong mata.”
• Dropping the article in formal writing: start noun phrases with ang or sa as required.
• Borrowing direct English idioms (“eye-opening”) without adaptation; instead, use makapahigmata (“makes one wake up”).

7. Conversational Phrases

1. Masakit akong mata. ― “My eye hurts.”
2. Pula imong mata? ― “Is your eye red?”
3. Tan-awa ko sa mata, palihog. ― “Look me in the eye, please.”
4. Ayaw pag-hikap sa imong mata. ― “Do not touch your eye.”
5. Nag-luha ang akong mata. ― “My eye is watering.”

8. Everyday Conversation Exchanges

1. A: Naa kay problema sa imong mata?
   B: Oo, nag-pula gyud ako karon.
   (A: “Do you have a problem with your eye?” B: “Yes, mine is really red today.”)
2. A: Asa ang patak para sa mata?
   B: Tu-a sa aparador sa kusina.
   (A: “Where is the medicine drop for the eye?” B: “It’s in the kitchen cabinet.”)
3. A: Makakita ka ba og klaro sa usa ka mata lang?
   B: Oo, pero lisod kung duha ka minuto na.
   (A: “Can you see clearly with only one eye?” B: “Yes, but it is hard after two minutes.”)
4. A: Ngano sirado imong mga mata sa litrato?
   B: Kisilaw ko sa suga.
   (A: “Why are your eyes closed in the picture?” B: “The light dazzled me.”)
5. A: Pwede ba ko mag-contact lens bisan nag-luha akong mata?
   B: Mas maayo nga dili sa karon.
   (A: “Can I wear contact lenses even though my eye is watering?” B: “Better not for now.”)