sab

Cebuano Word: sab
(Alternate spelling of usab; the meaning and usage are the same. “Sab” is more common in everyday speech, while “usab” sounds slightly more formal.)

1 Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences

• Part of speech: adverb / enclitic particle (repetition or addition)
• Core meanings:
  1. again / once more (repetition)
  2. also / too (addition)

Example sentences

• I-try sab. — Try again.
• Pwede ko mo-apil sab. — May I join too?
• Nihunong ang ulan kagabii ug nikusog sab buntag. — The rain stopped last night and started again this morning.

2 Learning Points for Cebuano Adverbs (focus on sab)

1. Dual sense: Context reveals whether it means “again” or “also.”
2. Post-position: Place sab immediately after the word or phrase it modifies.
3. Register choice: Use sab / usab in writing; use pud / pod for casual “also.”
4. No inflection: Adverbs never add tense or plural markers; keep the form sab unchanged.
5. Redundancy alert: Do not pair sab with another “also/again” particle in the same clause (sab pud sounds repetitive).

3 Common Collocations

• balik sab – again once more
• si (name) sab – name too / also
• sab unya – again later
• sab gihapon – still again / still also
• sab diay – so … also (surprise nuance)

4 Typical Sentence Position

• Directly after the element being repeated or added:
  • “Basaha sab kini.”
  • “Si Carlo sab mopirma.”

5 Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases

• “Palihug basaha sab.” — Please read it again.
• “Mo-adto sab ko sunod.” — I will also go next time.
• “Salamat sab sa tabang.” — Thank you also for the help.
• “Kita-kits sab unya.” — See you again later.
• “Gusto sab ko mo-order ani.” — I also want to order this.

6 Five Everyday Conversation Exchanges

1. A: Mobalik ka sa café karong hapon?
   B: Oo, mobalik sab ko para sa dessert.
   A: Will you return to the café this afternoon?
   B: Yes, I’ll go again for dessert.
2. A: Pwede ba ko mangutana sab?
   B: Siyempre, pangutana lang.
   A: May I ask again?
   B: Of course, just ask.
3. A: Apil si Leo sa project?
   B: Oo, si Leo sab apil.
   A: Is Leo joining the project?
   B: Yes, Leo is joining too.
4. A: Nag-movie marathon ka kagabii?
   B: Oo, tan-aw sab ko karong gabii.
   A: Did you have a movie marathon last night?
   B: Yes, I’ll watch again tonight.
5. A: Nalingaw ka sa klase?
   B: Nalingaw ko, ug mosalmot sab ko sunod semana.
   A: Did you enjoy the class?
   B: I did, and I will participate again next week.

7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Kinsa sab ang mo-uban nimo?
A. Kinsa mo-uban sab nimo.
B. Si Mia sab ang mo-uban nako.
C. Ang mo-uban si Mia sab.

Q2. Basaha sab ba nimo ang email?
A. Basaha sab nako ang email.
B. Nako basaha sab ang email.
C. Ang email basaha sab nako.

Q3. Mo-balik sab ta karon?
A. Ta mo-balik sab karon.
B. Mo-balik ta karon sab.
C. Mo-balik sab ta karon.

Q4. Si Ana sab ba ang ni-daug?
A. Ni-daug si Ana sab.
B. Si Ana sab ang ni-daug.
C. Sab si Ana ang ni-daug.

Q5. Buy-an sab nila ang dessert?
A. Sab nila buy-an ang dessert.
B. Buy-an sab nila ang dessert.
C. Ang dessert buy-an nila sab.

Answer Key

• Q1 – B Subject Si Mia, particle sab follows, verb phrase last.
• Q2 – A Imperative basaha, then sab, object; keeps limiter next to verb.
• Q3 – C Verb mo-balik, sab, subject ta, time last; others misplace sab.
• Q4 – B Subject Si Ana, sab after subject, verb last; A moves sab after verb, C separates subject.
• Q5 – B Verb buy-an, sab right after verb, subject nila, object; alternatives split particle.