Proem

Those who are educated in the English language are taught how to properly use some English words. For example, during an evening affair you are told that the greeting for those who arrive will be "Good evening." If you would want to leave the affair the greeting will be "Good night." By the proper use of the words you can determine the intention of the speaker.

In Sugboanon Bisaya, the meaning is to be found in the intention of the speaker. The words used by the speaker will tell you the intended meaning. However, even though the speaker and the hearer can determine the intended meaning, they do not actually know the proper rules. This is because nobody has studied Sugboanon Bisaya in school.

Here some words that has definite meanings but usually not properly used.

Asking the Name

The Binisayâ has two ways of asking for the name of a person. "Kinsay imong ngalan? = Who is your name?" and "Unsay imong ngalan? = What is your name?"

The English language uses only "What is your name?" Some would say that "Kinsay imong ngalan?" is wrong.

Here is the rule. If you intend that the hearer will be the only one to answer, use "Kinsay imong ngalan? = Who is your name?" If you intend that anybody could answer, use "Unsay imong ngalan? = What is your name?"

Balik and Ulî

Balik (return; come back) and ulî (return; go home) are usually used properly but nobody can say what is the rule of usage.

Balik is used with a connotation of a temporary or hurried situation. Ulî is used for a long lasting situation or if temporary, it means that there is something important to be done where you are going to that must be first attended. This is the reason why you can say, "Moulî usà ko. Mobalik ra lagi ko. = I will have to go home. I will surely comeback."

Tagnà and Tag-an

Nowadays nobody could distinguish the use of tagnà and tag-an. The speaker and the hearer always associate these words with "guess."

Actually there is a difference. Tagnà means to prophesy or predict. That is why a prophet is manalágnà in Sugboanon Bisaya. Tág-an means to guess, as guess the answer of a riddle.

Hatagan and Tagáan

These two Sugboanon words means give or given. The proper use depends upon the intention of the speaker. If the speaker wants to emphasize the act of giving, the word hátag or hatagan is used. If the speaker wants to emphasize on the item or object that is given, the word tágà or tagáan is used. In "Gitagáan ko og kwarta ni Tatay. = Daddy gave me some money," the emphasis is in the money given and it is proper if you will ask some share. In "Gihatagan ko og kwarta ni Tatay = Daddy gave me some money," the emphasis is in the act of giving and it is not proper to ask for a share because it is up to Daddy if he will also give you some money.

Túkod and Tukó

If you ride a motorcycle and stop, you then plant your feet on the ground and you can only say túkod and never a tukó. If you want to prop a leaning banana plant you will place a pole and you will tukó the banana. If you dance with a woman and she will brace her elbow against your breast, it is either a túkod or a tukó. So what is the difference or rule?

If you want to emphasize the downward or inward direction of the force, the word to be used is túkod. If you want to emphasize to upward or outward direction of the force, the word to be used is tukó.

Ulós and Hulam

These words means borrow in English. If you want to borrow a bolo, you can either use ulós or hulám. If you want to borrow money from the bank you can only use hulám but never the word ulós.

If you borrow something and you use ulós, it means that the same object you took must be the one to be returned whether it is in good or bad condition.

If you use hulàm, it means that if you could not return the same object, you are obligated to return a similar object or replace it with an item of the same or greater value.

Therefore be careful what word was used. In ulós, you are not obligated to replace the borrowed object if it is broken. You are only obligated to repair it and return the same object.

Waít and Ngabil

These words refer to the lips of the mouth. Can you identify where the wait is and where is the ngabil? The wait is the inner part of the lips while ngabil is the outer part of the lips. You can say "Akong hágkan ang imong ngábil = I will kiss your lips;" but you can never kiss the wait.