Amo: Is
"Amo" can function like the word "is." It isn't used for descriptions with adjectives, e.g. "The ball is red." It's used when a noun = another noun, e.g. "Sticky rice is my favorite." This also includes verbs that are being used as nouns, e.g. "The first step is to open the can."
"Rebecca is the leader." — "Si Rebecca amo ang pangulo." (pangulo = leader)
"Progress is our goal." — "Paguswag amo ang aton tuyo." (uswag = progress, tuyo = goal/intent)
"The best path is the righteous path." — "Ang pinakamaayo nga dalan amo ang matarong nga dalan." (pinakamaayo = best, dalan = path, matarong = righteous)
This example has adjectives, but it isn't a description. It is noun (the best path) = noun (the righteous path).
"My first step will be to take the keys." — "Ang akon una nga tikang amo ang kuhaon ang mga yabi." (una = first, tikang = step, kuha = take, yabi = key)
This sentence is referring to future tense, so "is" in this case is "will be." There's no change to "amo ang." The future tense is implied by the future conjugation placed on "kuha."
"The final thing he drank was milk." — "Ang katapusan nga gininom niya amo ang gatas." (katapusan = last/final, ginimon = drink (past tense), gatas = milk)
This is past tense, but "amo ang" functions as "was," because "inom" was conjugated in the past tense.
"Amo" is not pronounced with a glottal stop. "Amô," with a glottal stop, means "monkey."
The word "amo" can be dropped in quick, casual sentences.
"They are the ones that were yelling." ➔
"Sila ang nagsinggit." = "Sila amo ang nagsinggit." (singgit = yell)
Amo: This is, That is...
"This is the most delicious snack." — "Amo ini ang pinakanamit nga pamahaw." (pinakanamit = most delicious, pamahaw = snack/breakfast)
"That is the purpose of cheese." — "Amo inâ ang katuyoan sang keso." (katuyoan = purpose, keso = cheese)
"This is one reason why I brought a handkerchief." — "Amo ini ang isa ka rason kon ngaa nagdala ako sang panyo." (rason = reason, dala = bring, panyo = handkerchief)
Amo: Same, Similar
The word "same" can be made with the phrase "amo man."
"I passed through the same path." — "Ginagian ko ang amo man nga dalan." (agi = pass through, dalan = path)
"They will make the same promise." — "Maghimo sila sang amo man nga pangako." (himo = make/do, pangako = promise)
"Same as always." — "Amo man gihapon." (gihapon = always)
In English, there are a few variants of "same" and "similar to" that can be translated with "amo."
"...and so will you." — "...kag amo man kamo."
"Karabaw (swamp buffalo) are big, but so are the mosquitoes." — "Dako ang mga karabaw, pero amo man ang mga lamok." (dako = big, lamok = mosquito)
"This has happened at such an important time." — "Ini natabo sa amo sini importante nga tion." (natabo/nahitabo = happened, importante = important, tion = time)
"It is rare to see this kind of love." — "Talagsa lang nga nakita ang amo ini nga palanggâ." (talagsa = rare/occasional, lang = only, kita = see, palanggâ = love)
Notice that "amo sini" is used for things that are non-focus, and "amo ini" is used for the focus.