Know

There are three different words for "know."

I Know

This type of "know" is to know a skill or to know some piece of information.

"Kabalo ko" is the most common way to say "I know." The root word for "know" is hibalo. Because "know" is a word that implies ability, the Ability conjugations are used with it. The full way to say the phrase "I know" is "Nakahibalo ako." This is shortened in a few ways. The "naka" conjugation is shortened to "ka," "hibalo" is shortened to "balo," and "ako" can be shortened to "ko." That's how you get "Kabalo ko..."

To share something you know, you could say, "Kabalo ko nga [the thing you know]." If you wanted to share a skill you know ("I know how to..."), you would say, "Kabalo ko mag [the skill you know]."

If you use Object focus, you would drop the "o" off the end of "balo." Instead of "Nabaloan," it would be "Nabalan." For example, "Nabalan ko ang mga likom."

"I know that mangos are sweet." — "Kabalo ko nga matam-is ang mga paho." (sweet = tam-is, mango = paho)
"I know his name." — "Nabalan ko ang ngalan niya." (name = ngalan)
"I know how to swim." — "Kabalo ko maglangoy." (swim = langoy)
"I know how to speak Ilonggo." — "Kabalo ko magilonggo."

I Know a Person

The word for knowing a person is kilala. It's usually used in object focus in order to focus on the person you know. For example, "I know Edward." = "Nakilala ko Si Edward." Notice that we still use the Ability form of the conjugation, because knowing something is an ability.

Kilala can also be used as the word "meet," when used with the Actor/Action focus. "I met Sally." = "Nakakilala ko kay Sally."

I Know Directions

This word is often written as tultul, though it may sound more like "toltol." Spelling on many words can vary, and sometimes vowels that sound like "o" are spelled with "u".

Because this word pertains to locations, you can use the Location focus.

"I know how to get to the cafe." — "Natultulan ko ang cafe."
"I know where the house is." — "Natultulan ko ang balay." (house = balay)

Quiz   ▶