siguro

Cebuano Word: siguro

1 Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences

• Part of speech: adverb / discourse particle (probability, polite suggestion)
• Core meanings:
  1. probably, likely – expresses a fairly high degree of likelihood.
  2. surely / certainly – when placed after a verb, can sound reassuring.
  3. why not / go ahead – in responses, as a gentle consent (“Sure, go ahead”).

Example sentences

• Mo-ulan siguro karon hapon. — It will probably rain this afternoon.
• Makaya ra siguro nimo ni. — You can surely handle this.
• Pwede ba ko mangutana? — Siguro, unsa man? — May I ask a question? — Certainly, what is it?

2 Learning Points for Cebuano Adverbs (focus on siguro)

1. Strength of probability: higher than tingali, lower than sigurado; use when you feel 70-80 % sure.
2. Flexible placement: start of a clause for emphasis (“Siguro, moabot sila”), or after the verb (“Moabot siguro sila”).
3. Tone softener: in requests or advice, it lessens directness—“Sulayi siguro ni.”
4. Avoid redundancy: do not pair with other probability markers (siguro tingali) unless you intend extra hedging.
5. Spelling note: always “siguro” (not seguro, which is Spanish).

3 Common Collocations

• siguro pa – probably still
• siguro lang – just maybe / I guess
• siguro maayo – likely good
• siguro basta – probably, as long as …
• dili siguro – probably not

4 Typical Sentence Position

• Initial (emphatic): “Siguro, mahuman ta ugma.”
• Medial (neutral): “Mahuman siguro ta ugma.”

5 Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases

• “Mo-adto siguro ko unya.” — I will probably go later.
• “Dili siguro lisod.” — It is probably not difficult.
• “Siguro okay ra ni.” — This is surely fine.
• “Ikaw siguro ang sunod.” — You are likely next.
• “Siguro kinahanglan ta mag-plano.” — We probably need to plan.

6 Five Everyday Conversation Exchanges

1. A: Makadayon ta sa trip?
   B: Makadayon siguro kung mo-ayo ang panahon.
   A: Can we push through with the trip?
   B: Probably, if the weather improves.
2. A: Abtan ba ta sa deadline?
   B: Abtan siguro basta mag-overtime ta karon.
   A: Will we meet the deadline?
   B: Likely, provided we work overtime today.
3. A: Pila kaha ang budget ani?
   B: Mga lima ka libo siguro.
   A: How much budget might this need?
   B: About five thousand, probably.
4. A: Mo-dawat ba sila og card payment?
   B: Mo-dawat siguro; daghan man silang kustomer.
   A: Do they accept card payments?
   B: They probably do; they have many customers.
5. A: Libre ba ka ugma?
   B: Libre siguro sa buntag, apan busy sa hapon.
   A: Are you free tomorrow?
   B: Probably free in the morning, but busy in the afternoon.

7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Moabot siguro si Carlo pagkagabii?
A. Moabot si Carlo siguro pagkagabii.
B. Siguro moabot si Carlo pagkagabii.
C. Moabot siguro si Carlo pagkagabii.

Q2. Dili siguro taas ang bayad?
A. Dili taas ang bayad siguro.
B. Siguro dili taas ang bayad.
C. Dili siguro taas ang bayad.

Q3. Makapalit siguro ta og ticket karon?
A. Makapalit ta siguro og ticket karon.
B. Siguro makapalit ta og ticket karon.
C. Ta makapalit og ticket siguro karon.

Q4. Siguro maayo ang serbisyo didto?
A. Siguro maayo ang serbisyo didto.
B. Maayo siguro ang serbisyo didto.
C. Didto siguro maayo ang serbisyo.

Q5. Pagamit siguro ko sa imong laptop?
A. Siguro pagamit ko sa imong laptop.
B. Pagamit siguro ko sa imong laptop.
C. Ko pagamit sa imong laptop siguro.

Answer Key

• Q1 → C Verb moabot then siguro, subject, time — correct speculative order.
• Q2 → C Negative dili + siguro + adjective; others separate particle from negation.
• Q3 → A Verb first, subject, siguro, object, time; B places siguro initial (still okay in speech but question asks mid-clause).
• Q4 → B Predicate adjective maayo followed by siguro, subject last; A duplicates particle position, C shifts focus.
• Q5 → B Polite request verb pagamit followed by siguro, subject next; alternatives misplace siguro.