Reminder: All languages change over time. As they do, some rules become less important and others can disappear entirely. You can often find traces of old rules that are now basically extinct. This makes it tricky to define the current rules for a language.

As certain rules change or fade away, we see new exceptions to the rules. We can't always explain those exceptions, because we weren't around for the last 500 years as the language developed. The best rule is "do as the Ilonggos do." Whatever way native Hiligaynon speakers do it is correct.

Affixes

One of the most useful and fascinating features of Hiligaynon is its ability to reformulate words to mean several different things. Once you learn these word formulas, it will unlock a much deeper understanding of the language and immediately expand your vocabulary.

What is an Affix? Affixes are letters that are attached to existing words. That includes prefixes (attached to the front), suffixes (attached to the end), and infixes (stuck in the middle). Using affixes, you can change the meaning of words.

The Act of Doing Something (Verb to Noun): Pag-

Adding "pag-" to the front of a verb converts it to a noun. For example, "run" would convert to "running," and "dance" would become "dancing."

To clarify, if you say "We will be running," the word "running" is still a verb. However, in the sentence, "His running is fast," it would be a noun (aka, a "gerund").

dalagan - run ➔ "His running is fast." — "Dasig ang iya pagdalagan."
dance - saot ➔ "This dance is difficult." — Budly ini nga pagsaot
sleep - tulog ➔ "My sleep was short." — "Lip-ot and pagtulog ko."
suffer - antos ➔ suffering - pagantos
serve - alagad ➔ service - pagalagad
tuo - firmly believe ➔ pagtuo - faith

The "pag-" prefix is often dropped, and the verb can still be used as a noun. Example: "Dasig ang iya dalagan."

Abstract Nouns: Pagka-, Ka-, Ka- -on/an

An adjective can be converted to an abstract noun. For example, "happy" and "sad" would become "happiness" and "sadness." This type of noun often end with "-ness" in English, but not always.

You can do this by adding the "pagka-" prefix, or the shortened "-ka." Other words tend to use a "ka-" prefix with an "-on" (sometimes "-an") suffix. At some point in history there were probably more rigid rules, but just like many language principles, the rules have blurred through time. As such, different words use different affixes.

righteous - matarong ➔ righteousness - pagkamatarong
wicked - malaut ➔ wickedness - pagkamalaut
new - bag-o ➔ newness - pagkabag-o
godly - diosnon ➔ godliness - pagkadiosnon
dirty - higkô ➔ dirtiness - pagkahigkô, kahigkoan

good - maayo ➔ goodness - kaayo
bad - malain ➔ badness (evil) - kalain
hot - init ➔ hotness - kainit
dark - madulom ➔ darkness - kadulom

big - dakô ➔ "bigness" (size) - kadakoon
few - diutay ➔ "smallness of number" - kadiutayon
heavy - bug-at ➔ heaviness (weight) - kabug-aton
long (time) - lawig ➔ length - kalawigon
foolish - buwang ➔ foolishness - kabuangan, pagkabuwang

Many of the words that use "ka- -on/an" are related to measurements, but there are a few notable exceptions, i.e. kamatayon = death.

"Pagka-" is occasionally used on words that aren't adjectives.

know - hibalo ➔ pagkahibalo - knowing (knowledge)
ulipon - slave ➔ pagkaulipon - slavery
destroy - papas ➔ pagkapapas - destruction
captive - bihag ➔ pagkabihag - captivity

Time of Event: Pagka-, Pag

"Pagka-" can be used to mark the time an event happens. For example, "aga" (morning) can be prefixed as "pagkaaga" to become "in the morning."

"We will leave in the morning." — "Maglakat kita pagkaaga." (lakat = leave/walk, aga = morning)
"When Davey heard..." — "Pagkabati ni Davey..." (bati = hear)
"...after the fiesta..." — "...pagkatapos sang piesta..." (tapos = finish)

"Pag-" does the same thing, but is the more modern and casual.

"When she arrived..." — "Pagabot niya..." — "Sang pababot niya..." (abot = arrive)
"When we leave tomorrow..." — "Paglakat namon sa buwas..."

This prefix doesn't indicate a tense (past/present/future). Tense can be indicated with other words in the sentence (e.g. yesterday, tommorow, etc.), or assumed based on the context of the conversation.

Change of Cause: Pa-

To change who is causing something, the "pa-" prefix is added to the verb.

Regular: - "They laughed." — "Nagkadlaw sila."
Changed: - "I made them laugh." — "Nagpakadlaw ako sa ila."

Causing a Verb
halin (leave) ➔ pahalin (send away)
lapit (near) ➔ palapit (get closer)
guwâ (go outside) ➔ paguwâ (send someone outside)
dala (bring) ➔ padala (send)

Causing an Adjective
talum (sharp) ➔ patalum (sharpen)
humok (soft) ➔ pahumok (soften)

Receiving the Action
bunyag (baptize) ➔ pabunyag (get baptized)
gunting (cut with scissors) ➔ pagunting (get a haircut)
uli (return something) ➔ pauli (go home)

Directional: Pa-

"Pa-" can be used to show movement. It can turn a location or direction into a verb.

"I'm going to Bacolod." — "Magpabacolod ako."

wala (left) ➔ pawala (go left)
ibabaw (up, above) ➔ paibabaw (go up)

Locations: -An/Han

To make a word into a location, you can add "an" or "han" to the end. For example, "manok" means "chicken." A chicken coop could be called a "manokan." (You could also use that word for chicken restaurants, which are very popular in Iloilo and Bacolod.) Here are a few more examples:

simbahan - church (simba = worship)
isdahan - fish pond (isda = fish)
pungkoan - chair (pungkô = sit)
higdaan - bed (higdâ = lay)

Adjective Prefix: Ma-

"Ma-" can be used as a prefix for adjectives, though at this point it's fairly optional. Some words tend to have the prefix more, and others don't use it at all.

good - maayo (tends to always use "ma-")
bad - malain, lain
polite - mabuot, buot
big - dako
new - bag-o

Capable Of: Maka-

This prefix allows you to make a particular type of adjective. It describes a thing that is capable of doing something (i.e. a movie that can make you cry).

The "maka-" prefix is usually followed by repeating the first syllable of the root word. For example, if something can make you cry (hibî), it can be described as maka-hi-hibî.

lipay (to make happy) ➔ makalilipay (can cause happiness)
gahum (power) ➔ makagagahum (all powerful)
hadlok (scared) ➔ makahahadlok (scary)
kadlaw (laugh) ➔ makakakadlaw (amusing; "kaladlawan" is more common for "funny")

variations on the format:
halawhaw (amaze) ➔ makahalawhaw (amazing)
halit (harm, damage) ➔ makahalalit (harmful)

Interaction: -anay/hanay

When multiple people are interacting with one another, you can indicate that by adding "-anay/hanay" to the end of the word.

"They are yelling at each other." — "Nagasinggitanay sila." (yell = singgit)

If the sentence only said, "Nagsinggit sila," it would have just meant they were yelling, rather than yelling "at each other." Here are some other examples:

"They will speak to each other." — "Maghambalanay sila." (speak = hambal)
"Josh and Max were punching each other." — "Si Josh kag si Max nagsumbaganay." (punch = sumbag)
"Josh and Max traded with each other." — "Si Josh kag si Max nagbaylohanay." (trade = baylo)
"The dogs and the cats joined together to defeat the goats." — "Ang mga idô kag ang mga koring nagbuyloganay sa pagdaog sa mga kanding." (dog = idô cat = koring, join = buylog, defeat = daog, goat = kanding)

("-anay" often follows a consonant, while "-hanay" often follows a vowel.)
Sometimes you may see this suffix shortened to "ay," as in "binuligay."

Repeated Action: Pang-, Pan-, Pam-

The standard way to show that an action is being repeated is with the "pang-", "pan-", and "pam-" prefixes. The prefix you use depends on what letter the root word starts with. Usually, the first letter of the root is removed.

Pang- (the standard)
hunuhuna (think) — panghunahuna
lantaw (watch) — panglantaw
kawat (steal) — pangawat
look (kita) — pangita (used as "looking for")

Pan- (usually used with D, S, and T words)
silhig (sweep) — panilhig
tago (hide) — panago
damgo (dream) — panamgo

Pam- (usually used with B and P words)
bakal (buy) — pamakal
buyayaw (swear) — pamuyayaw

To illustrate why you might want this prefix, look at the word "silhig" (sweep). It's unlikely that a person would just do one sweeping motion and quit. Usually sweeping would require a lot of sweeps, so instead of "Magsilhig ako," you would say, "Magpanilhig ako." The word "bakal" (buy) could go either direction. If your friend is buying a pair of sandals, you could stick with the standard, "Nagabakal siya..." On the other hand, if your friend is buying multiple pairs from all over the market, you might say, "Nagapamakal siya..."

Once conjugated, these prefixes can often be shortened.

magpangkawat ➔ mangawat
magpanilhig ➔ manilhig
magpamakal ➔ mamakal

Repeated Action: L-Infix

This infix is used in certain situations to show that an action is being done multiple times. It is used by inserting an "L" after first vowel, and then repeating that vowel.

Examples:

Hampang (play) ➔ Ha+la+mpang
Kuhâ (take/get) ➔ Ku+lu+hâ
Siling (say) ➔ Si+li+ling
Kadto (go) ➔ Ka+la+dto

You'll find examples of when to use the L-Infix below.

Multiple Actors: L-Infix

When multiple actors are performing a verb, the L-Infix is used. This is not commonly used in modern speech or writing. It is more of an older "deep" Hiligaynon rule.

Standard: "She laughed." — "Nadkadlaw siya." (laugh = kadlaw)
Multiple Actors: "The people laughed." — "Nagkaladlaw ang mga tawo." (person = tawo)

Doers of the Verb: -Um- + L-Infix

To convert a verb into a person who performs that verb ("read" to "reader," "speak" to "speaker," etc.), you use two infixes. First, add "um" after the first consonant. (If the verb starts with a vowel, place "um" in front of the vowel.) Second, add the L-Infix.

puyô (reside/inhabit) ➔ pumuluyô (resident/inhabitant)
ambit (partake) ➔ umalambit (partaker)
duong (travel, migrate) ➔ dumuluong (foreigner)
simba (worship) ➔ sumilimba (worshiper)
basa (read) ➔ bumalasa (reader)
hambal (speak) ➔ humalambal (speaker)

This type of word is pretty heavy and formal, so it isn't used much in day-to-day speech. More commonly you'd hear a more simple conjugation, such as "ang nagahambal" for "speaker."

Objects of a Verb: L-Infix + -on/hon or -an/han

These affixes turn a verb into the noun that it acts on. For example, the noun "chair" is acted on by the verb "sit." By adding these affixes to "sit," you get the word "chair." Here are some more examples:

sugô (command) ➔ sulugoan (servant)
puyô (reside) ➔ puluy-an (residence/dwelling place)
tuon (learn/study) ➔ tulun-an (book)
tuman (fulfill/perform/obey) ➔ tulumanon (ordinance)
inom (drink–verb) ➔ ilimnon (drink–noun)
higdâ (lie down) ➔ hiligdaan (bed)
pungkô (sit) ➔ pulungkoan (chair)

There are several notes about this one.

• The suffix you use is the same suffix you'd use for the future, object form of a verb (on/hon, an/han).
• The L-Infix isn't always used.
• Reminder: when certain verbs are conjugated with a suffix, the last vowel is dropped. (lakat ➔ laktan)
• Reminder: you may see these words spelled differently, depending on who wrote them.

-In- Infix

The -in- infix is very versatile. It has a few common uses, and several less common ones that are not always consistent. It is used by adding "in" after the first letter of a word. (If the word starts with a vowel, the "in" just goes at the beginning of the word.)

Verb to Adjective: -In-

A verb can be converted to an adjective with the "in" infix.

sugba (roast) ➔ sinugba (roasted)
palangga (love) ➔ pinalangga (loved/beloved)
kawat (steal) ➔ kinawat (stolen)
pilî (choose) ➔ pinilî (chosen)
tagô (hide) ➔ tinagô (hidden)
sulat (write) ➔ sinulat (written)

Verb to Characteristic: Ma- -In- -On/Hon

A verb can be converted to a personal adjective, i.e. "help" to "helpful." Add the "ma-" prefix, "-in-" infix, and "-on/hon" suffix.

bulig (help) ➔ mabinuligon (helpful)
pati (believe) ➔ mapinatihon (believing)
antos (suffer) ➔ mainantoson (long-suffering)
uswag (progress) ➔ mainuswagon (progressive/prosperous)
palangga (love) ➔ mapinalanggaon (loving)
tuman (fulfill/obey) ➔ matinumanon (obedient)
tamay (despise) ➔ matinamayon (bitter/scornful)

Product of a Verb (Verb to Noun): -In-

Some verbs produce nouns. The verb "create" will produce a "creation" or "creature." The verb "cook" will produce "cooked food." This can be shown with the "-in-" infix.

sugba (roast) ➔ sinugba (roasted food)
palangga (love) ➔ pinalangga (loved one)
tuga (create) ➔ tinuga (creation/creature)
lamas (knead) ➔ linamas (dough)
luto (cook) ➔ linuto (cooked food, dish)
lukot (roll up) ➔ linukot (scroll)

For plural nouns, add "-an" to the end. (You would still use "mga" before these words.)

hambal (speak) ➔ hinambalan (words that were spoken)
sulat (write) ➔ sinulatan (writings)
kawat (steal) ➔ kinawatan (stolen goods)
himô (do/make) ➔ hinimoan (works/deeds)

Some of these, like "pinalannga," can be used as either adjectives or nouns. You can tell the difference by the context they're used in.

Time Adverbs: -In-

Using the "-in-" infix, you can change time verbs (day, month, etc.) into adverbs (daily, monthly, etc.).

adlaw (day) ➔ inadlaw (daily)
bulan (month) ➔ binulan (monthly)
tuig (year) ➔ tinuig (yearly)
oras (hour) ➔ inoras (hourly)

Note: The word "binulan" can also be used as "paycheck," because it implies a monthly wage.

Less Common Uses: -In-

There are several uses of the "in" infix that were more common in the past. Because grammar rules changed and eroded over time, these are used less frequently and are not always consistent.

Comparison Adjective (noun to adjective): -In-

There are some adjectives that show one thing is similar to another thing, i.e. "dog-like."

amay (father) ➔ inamay (fatherly)
iloy (mother) ➔ iniloy (motherly)
lalaki (boy/man) ➔ linalaki (masculine/manly)
babaye (girl/woman) ➔ binabaye (feminine/girly)
bata (child) ➔ binata (childish)
baboy (pig) ➔ binaboy (piggish)

Pluralizer: -In-

The "-in-" infix can be used on plural nouns, but they still often use the "mga" label. This is more common in older writing.

amay (father) ➔ mga inamay (fathers)
anak (child) ➔ mga inanak (children)
tipik (fragment) ➔ mga tinipik (fragments)
tawo (person) ➔ mga tinawo (people)
gatos (hundred) ➔ ginatos (hundreds)
libo (thousand) ➔ linibo (thousands)

Alternate to "Gin-": -In-

In older writing, verbs that are normally prefixed with "gin-" can sometimes use the "-in-" infix instead. At some point in history there may have been some distinction between the two, but nowadays there doesn't seem to be any difference.

"Ginkuha niya ang bola." = "Kinuha niya ang bola." (kuhâ = take, bola = ball)
"Gindala nila ang bola." = "Dinala nila ang bola." (dala = bring)
"Ginhadlokan ako." = "Hinadlokan ako." (hadlok = fear)

This is still sometimes used in modern Hiligaynon.

Used with Regular Conjugations: -In-

The "in" infix can be used alongside regular conjugations. It implies that an action is repeated, just like the L-infix does.

Singular Action: "They sang a song." — "Nagkanta sila sang kalantahon." (sing = kanta, song = kalantahon)
Repeated Action: "They were singing last night." — "Nagkinanta sila ka gab-i." (last night = ka gab-i)

In other cases, the "-in-" doesn't make any apparent difference.

"They spoke one to another."
Nagsinilingay ang isa sa isa. = Nagsilingay ang isa sa isa. (siling = talk/say; isa = one)

Making Verbs: -In-

The infix is sometimes seen when using non-verbs as verbs. Languages are one example.

"I can speak Ilonggo." — "Kabalo ko maginIlonggo."
"They can speak Karay-a." — "Kabalo sila magkinaray-a."

You may see it when adjectives are used as verbs.

"He's going to be lazy." — "Magtinamad siya." (tamad = lazy)
"The dogs are being loud." — "Nagaginahud ang mga idô" (gahud = loud, dog = idô)
"The boys were being rude." — "Nagbinastos ang mga lalaki." (bastos = rude/crude/offensive)

The odd thing is that if you don't use the "in" infix, nothing changes. The infix is now optional. (See Lesson: Be/Become)

Permanantly Infixed: -In-

There are some words that will just always have the "in" infix in them. They seem to make a derivitive of the root word.

gahud = loud; ginahud = noise
hampang = play; hinampang = game
dalan = path/road; dinalan = line
tinaga = word ("pulong" is used more commonly for "word")

Gerund: -In-

Oftentimes the "pag-" prefix would make a gerund (jumping, teaching, reading, etc), but the "in" infix is sometimes seen doing this.

sing = kanta; singing = kinanta (same as pagkanta)
scream / shout = singgit; screaming = sininggit (same as pagsinggit)

You also see this a lot with nouns using the "ay/anay/hanay" suffix.

help = bulig; helping each other = binuligay ("cooperation"; same as pagbinuligay)
argue = bais; arguing with each other = binaisay ("contention")

Because the original rules of the "in" infix seem to be losing meaning in some cases, you might even see both the "pag-" prefix and the "in" infix on the same word, doing the same job.

Misc Appearances of -In-

You may see the "in" infix pop up in various ways that don't seem to change the meaning of the word.

Noun to Adjective

Nouns can be turned to adjectives with a few suffixes. These vary depending on the word.

-non
duta (earth) ➔ dutanon (earthly)
langit (heaven) ➔ langitnon (heavenly)
Dios (God) ➔ diosnon (godly)
manggad (riches) ➔ manggaranon (rich); ("D" often changes to "R" when a suffix is added to it.)

Sometimes you may see extra letters are appended before the suffix, as in "manggaranon."

-hon
bato (rock) ➔ batohon (rocky)
bili (value, price) ➔ bilidhon (valuable)

-on
bata (child) ➔ bataon (childlike)
lamhad (youth, young person) ➔ lamharon (young)

-hanon
espiritu (spirit) ➔ espirituhanon (spiritual)
isa (one) ➔ isahanon (alone)

These can also be used to show a person's group/culture.

bukid (mountain) ➔ bukidnon (mountain people)
Jacob (Jacob) ➔ Jacobnon (Jacobite)
Ehipto (Egypt) ➔ Ehiptohanon (Egyptian)

Occupations & Roles

Various words can be turned into occupations or roles, i.e. "farm" ➔ "farmer."

Different words use different methods. The first method is a little complicated. Here is the formula: Man + first vowel of root + n + root, minus first letter. This is easily one of the most convoluted affixes. Here are some examples:

tudlo (teach) ➔ manunudlo (teacher)
tabang (older word for help) ➔ mananabang (lawyer)
tubos (redeem) ➔ manunubos (redeemer)
tanum (plant) ➔ manananum (gardener)
tahi (sew) ➔ mananahi (tailor/seamstress)
dagat (sea) ➔ mananagat (fisher)
tuga (create) ➔ manunuga (creator)
and a couple odd exceptions...
luwas (save) ➔ manluluwas (savior)
tagna (prophecy) ➔ manalagna (prophet)

Another widely used method is the prefix "manug-" (or "manog-", the spelling varies).

hilat (massage) ➔ manughilat (masseuse/masseur)
bantay (watch over) ➔ manugbantay (shephard, security guard)
laygay (advise) ➔ manuglaygay (advisor/counselor)
bakal (buy) ➔ manugbakal (buyer)
baligya (sell) ➔ manugbaligya (seller/merchant)
luto (cook) ➔ manugluto (chef)
wali (preach) ➔ manugwali (preacher)

Yet another method for the same effect is the prefix "tig-" or "tag-".

balay (home) ➔ tagbalay (home owner)
sakdag (support) ➔ tigsakdag (supporter)
dumala (manage, lead) ➔ tagdumala (manager, ruler)
iya (his/hers) ➔ tagiya (owner)
ulo (head) ➔ tigulo (heading, title)

For words that start with a vowel, there's another method that's nearly as complicated as the first: Mang + first vowel of root + ng + root.

uma (farm) ➔ mangunguma (farmer)
amba (sing) ➔ mangangamba (singer)
ayam (old word for animal/dog) ➔ mangangayam (hunter)
away (fight) ➔ mangangaway (soldier)
isda (fish) ➔ mangingisda (fisher)

Some words will use different forms, depending on the age and location of the speaker.

Along With: Isigka-, Ka-

This prefix functions much like the English "co-", as used in words like "co-worker." The more formal, traditional prefix is "isigka-", but in modern speech the shortened "ka-" is more common.

tawo (person) ➔ isigkatawo (fellow man)
tinuga (being, creature) ➔ isigkatinuga (fellow being)
mamumugon (worker, laborer) ➔ isigkamamumugon (fellow laborer)

upod (with) ➔ kaupod (companion)
obra (work) ➔ kaobra (co-worker)
estudyante (student) ➔ kaestudyante (classmate)
idad (age) ➔ kaidad (peer, same age)
dampig (side with, support) ➔ kadampig (ally)

Relationships: Mag-

You can show family relationships with the "mag" prefix.

utod = sibling; "They're siblings." — "Magutod sila."
asawa = wife; "They're married." — "Magasawa sila."
paryente = relative; "They're related." — "Magparyente sila."

Often Happening: Pala-

This prefix shows that someone frequently does something. It makes an adjective to describe someone who jokes a lot, fights often, etc. "Palalahog siya." ("He's always joking around." | lahog = joke)

kaon - eat ➔ palakaon - always eating
fight - away ➔ palaaway - belligerent
joke - lahog - ➔ palalahog - always joking
drink - inom ➔ palainom - always drinking
drunk - hubog ➔ palahubog - always drunk

Superlative: Pinaka-

A superlative is "the most" of something, i.e. tallest, fastest, loudest, etc. Adding the prefix "pinaka-" converts an adjective to a superlative.

dako (big) ➔ pinakadako (biggest, greatest)
malayô (far) ➔ pinakamalayô (farthest)
madulom (dark) ➔ pinakamadulom (darkest)

You may see what looks like the "pinaka-" prefix used in a totally different situation. That can happen when words use both the "paka-" prefix and "in-" infix, resulting in "pinaka-". ("Pinakamaayo siya" = "Ginpakamaayo siya" = "He is blessed.") This is different from the actual "pinaka-" prefix.

Aggrandize: Ka- -an

Words can be made larger or more general when wrapped with a "ka-" prefix and "-an/han" suffix.

tawo (person) ➔ katawhan (people)
bata (child) ➔ kabataan (children)
tapus (finish, verb) ➔ katapusan (end, noun)
libut (walk around) ➔ kalibutan (earth)
duta (ground) ➔ kadutaan (land)
matuod (true) ➔ kamatuoran (truth)
luwas (save) ➔ kaluwasan (salvation)

This is used on traditional Hiligaynon numbers. Duha = Two, and Kaduhaan = Twenty.

This affix can also be used the same way "pagka-" is used.

takus (worthy) ➔ katakusan (worthiness)
maayo (good) ➔ kaayohan (goodness)
bug-os (whole) ➔ kabug-osan (fullness)

Non / Un: Di-

To make something a "non-" or "un-" word, you would add the prefix "di-" which is short for "indî."

Mahimô = Possible; Di-mahimô = Impossible
Matinolo = Clean; Di-matinlo = Unclean
Mabuot = Kind/Polite; Di-mabuot = Unkind/Impolite

Wearing: Naka-

This can be used to explain what a person is wearing.

"The person who is wearing red..." — "Ang nakapula." (pula = red)
"He's wearing a necktie." — "Nakakorbata siya." (korbata = necktie)

About To: Manug-

When someone is "just about to" do something, you can prefix that verb with "manug-". You can then use it like an adjective.

"We're just about to leave." — "Manoglakat kami." (leave = lakat)
"Josh is about to go home." — "Manogpauli si Josh." (go home = pauli)

Times & Seasons

You can indicate a time period with the "tig-" prefix and the L-infix.

kaon (eat) ➔ tig-kalaon (meal time)
tanum (plant) ➔ tig-talanum (planting season)
ani (harvest) ➔ tig-alani (harvest time)
init (hot) ➔ tig-ilinit (summer)
ulan (rain) ➔ tig-ululan (rainy season)
tugnaw (cold) ➔ tig-tulugnaw (winter)
obra (work), adlaw (day) ➔ adlaw sang tig-olobra (work day)
gutom (hungry) ➔ tig-gulutom (famine)

Intended Use: Inug-, Pang-

The prefix "inug-" is used to indicate what something is used for. If flowers are meant to be planted, they can be described as "inugtanum" (tanum = plant). If they are meant to be sold, they are "inugbaligya" (baligya = sell).

as a noun...
sugba (roast) ➔ inugsugba (the thing to be roasted)
hagbas (prune) ➔ inughagbas (pruning hook)
lampos (strike, beat) ➔ inuglampos (club)
hambal (speak) ➔ inughambal (things to say)
halad (offer, sacrifice) ➔ inughalad (the thing to be offered)

as an adjective...
arado (plow), sapat (animal) ➔ sapat nga inugarado (animal for plowing)
rest (pahuway), adlaw (day) ➔ adlaw nga inugpahuway (day of rest)

While "inug-" is found in more formal settings–like writing–it's not used as often used in modern, casual speech. For less formal settings, you can use the "pang-" prefix.

as an adjective...
lalaki (male) ➔ panglalaki (meant for males)
babaye (female) ➔ pangbabaye (meant for females)
tuon (learn) ➔ pangtuon (used for learning)
manok (chicken) ➔ pangmanok (meant for chickens)
simbahan (church) ➔ pangsimbahan (for use at church)
balay (home) ➔ pangbalay (for use at home)

Initiator of Mutual Action: Pakig-

Some actions involve multiple parties. This includes verbs like speak, covenant, and fight. Prefixing the verb with "pakig-" indicates who initiated the action.

To illustrate: Jack started an argument with Alice. That means, "Jack argued with Alice," would be "Si Jack nagpakigbais kay Alice." (bais = argue, contend) Alice argued back, but wasn't the person who started it. In that case, "Alice argued with Jack," would be "Si Alice nagbais kay Jack." (no "pakig") You can also say they were both arguing without indicating who started it. "Jack and Alice argued," would be "Si Jack kag si Alice nagbaisay." (See the "-anay/hanay" suffix for more information.)

More Examples:
"I am going to see a friend." — "Nagalakat ako sa pagpakigkita sang abyan." (lakat = walk, go, leave; kita = see, abyan = friend)
"The king spoke to the people." — "Ang hari nagpakighambal sa katawhan." (hari = king, hambal = speak, katawhan = people)

Like many complex affixes and conjugations, this is quite formal, and not often found in common daily speech.

Paka-

"Paka-" is another multi-use prefix.

Becoming

"Paka-" is added to an adjective to show the act of "becoming" something, rather than just being something.

Being: "We will be brave." — "Magisog kami." (isog = brave)
Becoming: "We will gather our courage." — "Magpakaisog kami."

"They humbled themselves." — "Nagpakaubos sila." (ubos = low)
"They became corrupted." — "Nagpakadunot sila." (dunot = corrupt, rotten)

Causing a State

This is similar to the "becoming" use, but the actor is causing the state for someone else.

malig-on (sturdy, strong) ➔ pakalig-on (to strengthen)
maayo (good) ➔ pakamaayo (to make good, to bless)
malaut (evil) ➔ pakamalaut (to curse)
dakô (large) ➔ pakadakô (to enlarge, amplify)
huyâ (shy, ashamed) ➔ pakahuyâ (embarrass, humiliate)
tarong (appropriate, just) ➔ pakatarong (to justify)

Consider to be, Reckon, Think of as...

"The president condemned the crimes." — "Ginpakamalaut sang presidente ang mga krimen." (malaut = evil/bad, presidente = president, krimen = crime)
"She advised that we wait." — "Ginpakamaayo niya nga maghulat kami." (maayo = good, hulat = wait)
"I thought it was best not to go outside." — "Ginpakamaayo ko nga indî ako magguwâ" (guwâ = outside)

This can also be used when someone considers themselves to be, acts as, or pretends to be something.

"They considered themselves to be important." or "They were acting important." (behaving arrogantly) — "Nagpakaimportante sila." (importante = important)
"They acted as prophets." (referring to false prophets) — "Nagpakamanalagna sila." (manalagna = prophet)

Salâ

It is very rare to see "paka-" with a verb, but you do find it used with "salâ" (to make a mistake or sin). "Nakasalâ" is used for regular mistakes or sins that were not intentional. "Nagpakasalâ" is used for deliberate, willful sinning.

Actor as Recipient: Ka-

There's a special type of verb called an "ergative verb." (No one expects you to remember that.) These are normally used as transitive verbs, where a verb is performed on an object, i.e. "The wood is being burned." These verbs can also be used as intransitive, i.e. "The wood is burning," almost like it's performing the action itself. That sentence would be Action/Actor focus.

In these odd cases, when ergative verbs are used in Actor/Action focus, you would use the standard conjugation + "ka-".

Transitive: "They are burning the wood." — "Ginasunog nila ang kahoy." (sunog = burn; kahoy = wood/tree)
Intransitive: "The wood is burning." — "Nagakasunog ang kahoy."

Transitive: "They will finish the race." — "Taposan nila ang lumba." (tapos = finish; lumba = race)
Intransitive: "The race will finish." — "Magkatapos ang lumba."

Transitive: "He will drop money." — "Maghulog siya sang kwarta." (drop/fall = hulog, kwarta = money)
Intransitive: "The leaves will drop." — "Magkahulog ang mga dahon." (dahon = leaf)

Here are other verbs you may see this with: die, revive, collapse, melt, become lost, worry, fear, loosen, start, open, break

Expressing emotions can work similarly. They are often expressed in Object or Recipient focus, but they can also be phrased as Actor/Action focus.

Lipay = to give happiness or comfort
"I am feeling happy." — "Nalipay ako." or "Nagakalipay ako."

Subô = sad
"I am feeling sad." — "Nasuboan ako." or "Nagakasubo ako."

Kina-

This prefix is sort of a complicated relic of older Hiligaynon. You may see it used in place of the "gin-" conjugation.

kinahatag = ginhatag
kinapahibalo = ginpahibalo
kinatugyan = gintugyan

It has also been used in the same way as the "pagka-" prefix. ("Kina-" may actually come from "ka-" prefix with an "-in-" infix.)

kinagabot = pagkagabot
kinatuhay = pagkatuhay
kinagahud = pagkagahud
kinalain = pagkalain

Euphony: Hi- / Ha-

Some affixes are used for the purpose of "euphony," which basically means "it just sounds better that way."

hidaet (peace) — daet (peace)
hilayô, halayô (far) — layô
hitaas, hataas (tall) — taas (tall)
hinulsul (repent) — nulsul (repent)

There are a few specific cases when the "hi-" prefix slightly changes the meaning of a word.

ngalan (name) — hingalan (to give a name)
dalî (quick) — hinali (sudden) — "hin-" is added, and the first letter of the root drops
bata (child) — himata (relative) — "him-" is added, and the first letter of the root drops