usab

Cebuano Word: usab

1 Part of Speech, Meaning, and Example Sentences

• Part of speech: Adverb (repetition / addition)
• Core meanings:
  1. again; once more (repetition)
  2. also; too; likewise (addition)

Example sentences

• I-try usab. — Try again.
• Pwede ko moapil usab. — May I join too?
• Nag-ulan pag-mata nako, ug nag-ulan usab pagkagabii. — It was raining when I woke up, and it rained again at night.

2 Learning Points for Cebuano Adverbs (focus on usab)

1. Dual sense. Context tells whether usab means “again” (repetition) or “also” (addition).
2. Position rules. It usually comes after the word or phrase it modifies: “Si Ana usab” (Ana too) or “Basaha usab” (Read again).
3. Formal vs colloquial. Spoken Cebuano often uses “sad” or “pod” for “also/too”; usab is more formal or literary.
4. No inflection. Adverbs never take tense or plural markers; do not add -on or -an.
5. Avoid redundancy. Do not pair usab with another Cebuano “again/also” word in the same clause (e.g., “usab pod” sounds repetitive).

3 Common Collocations

• balik usab – again once more
• si (name) usab – name too / also
• usab unya – again later
• usab sa – also in / also at
• usab gihapon – still again / still also

4 Typical Sentence Position

• After the verb or noun it modifies (neutral): “Mubisita ko usab.”
• Immediately after the subject for ‘also’ (emphatic): “Si Mark usab moapil.”

5 Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases

• “Palihug basaha usab.” — Please read it again.
• “Mo-adto ka usab?” — Are you going again?
• “Salamat usab sa imong tabang.” — Thank you also for your help.
• “Kita-kits usab unya.” — See you again later.
• “Gusto usab 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 ko usab para sa dessert.
   A: Will you go back to the café this afternoon?
   B: Yes, I’ll go again for dessert.
2. A: Pwede ba ko makapangutana usab?
   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 usab apil.
   A: Is Leo joining the project?
   B: Yes, Leo is joining too.
4. A: Nag-movie marathon ka kagabii?
   B: Oo, tan-aw ko usab 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 ko usab sunod semana.
   A: Did you enjoy the class?
   B: I did, and I’ll participate again next week.

7 Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Kinsa imong kuyog usab?
A. Kuyog usab nako si Miko.
B. Si Miko usab kuyog nako.
C. Usab kuyog nako si Miko.

Q2. Mubalik ba ka sa tindahan usab?
A. Mubalik ko sa tindahan usab.
B. Usab mubalik ko sa tindahan.
C. Sa tindahan mubalik ko usab.

Q3. Nikat-on na ka, mag-practice usab?
A. Mag-practice ko usab karong hapon.
B. Usab karong hapon mag-practice ko.
C. Mag-practice usab karong hapon ko.

Q4. Si Ana mo-dula usab sa dula?
A. Si Ana usab mo-dula sa dula.
B. Mo-dula usab si Ana sa dula.
C. Usab si Ana mo-dula sa dula.

Q5. Human nimo ang report, i-check usab?
A. I-check usab nako human sa report.
B. Human sa report i-check nako usab.
C. I-check nako usab human sa report.

Answer Key (with brief explanations)

• Q1 → B – Correct order “Subject + usab + verb phrase”; emphasizes that Miko, too will join.
• Q2 → C – Verb phrase precedes usab when a place phrase comes first: “At the store I will return again.”
• Q3 → A – Standard pattern “verb + usab + time” keeps adverb next to action.
• Q4 → B – Verb comes first, then usab, then the subject; maintains Cebuano verb-initial syntax.
• Q5 → C – Declarative “I will check again after the report”; usab placed right after the verb it modifies.