Learn Cebuano
I am an English speaking expat currently living in Cebu actively trying to learn the local language. I have created this blog as a means of focusing my own study and to provide others interested in learning the language with a unique perspective of a foreigner slowly coming to terms with complexity of the language.
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Abrebiation of Nga

We will continue with the same vocab and phrases but changing to the more common abbreviated form of NGA.  Using this abbrebiated form has exactly the same meaning as the previous form with the separate NGA.

If the word ends with a vowel then the A is dropped from the NGA and NG is appended to the proceeding word.

If the word ends with a constantanent then you need to use the un-abrebiated form with the following excpetions:

  • For words ending with N you can append the G to the preceeding word.
  • For words ending with Y or W you append NG to the preceeding word.

Magtutudlo  ( mag-tu-tud-lo ) – teacher
Lalaki  ( la-la-ki ) – male
Babaye  ( ba-ba-ye ) - female

Magtutudlong lalake  (male teacher – ends with vowel so append NG)
Magtutudlong babaye (female teacher – ends with vowel so append NG)

Dako ( da-ko ) – big
Gamay ( ga-may ) – small
Balay ( ba-lay ) – house

Dakong balay (big house – ends with vowel so append NG)
Gamayng balay (small house – ends with Y so append NG)

Gwapa ( gwa-pa ) – beautiful for female
Gwapo ( gwa-po ) – handsome for male

Gwapang babaye (beautiful girl – ends with vowel so append NG)
Gwapong lalaki (handsome boy – ends with vowel so append NG)

Mahal ( ma-hal ) – expensive or precious (similar use to the English word dear)
Lami ( la-mi ) – delicious
Pagkaon ( pag-ka-on ) – food
Init  ( i-nit ) – hot (temperature)
Awto ( aw-to ) – car

Mahal nga awto (expensive car – ends with L so can not use abrebiated form)
Laming pagkaon (delicious food – ends with vowel so append NG)
Init nga buntag (hot morning – ends with T so can not use abrebiated form)

Buntag ( bun-tag ) – morning
Gabii ( ga-bi-i ) – night
Maayo ( ma-a-yo ) – good

Maayong gabii   (good night- ends with vowel so append NG  )
Maayong buntag  (good morning – ends with vowel so append NG)

The above comes from a review of my own hand written notes.

Related posts:

  1. Use of Ang
  2. Use of Nga

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