Pseudo Verbs

Pseudo verbs are a special type of verb that can be used without conjugations.

Pwede

"May I ask a question?" — "Pwede ko mamankot?" (pamankot = ask; mamankot is short for magpamankot)

"Can we ride your karabaw?" (i.e. "Is it allowed?") — "Pwede kami magsakay sa imo karabaw?" (sakay = ride, karabaw = swamp buffalo)

"Can they bring the vegetables?" — "Pwede nila dalhon ang utan?" (dala = bring, utan = vegetables)

"Can you guys help us?" — "Pwede bala kamo magbulig sa amon?" (bulig = help)

"I can read a book while I wait." — "Pwede ako magbasa samtang nagahulat ko." (basa = read, libro = book, hulat = wait)

"They can't enter this house." — "Indi sila pwede magsulod sining balay." (sulod = enter, balay = house)

"We cannot allow that." — "Indi kita pwede magsugot sinâ." (sugot = allow)

"Pwede" or "Pwede man," can be used as a response to say, "Yes, you can/may," or "Yes, that's allowed."

Dapat

"You should go home." — "Dapat kamo magpaulî." (paulî = go home)

"All people must go home." — "Ang tanan nga mga tawo dapat magpaulî."

"This is what I must do." — "Ini ang dapat ko nga himoon." (himô = do/make)

"We should run away." — "Dapat kita magpalagyo." (palagyo = flee)

"We should bring the record." — "Dapat namon dalhon ang kasaysayan." (kasaysayan = record/explanation)

"We shouldn't have any hatred." — "Dapat walâ kita sang pagdumot." (pagdumot = hatred/grudge)

Kinahanglan

"We need to prepare." — "Kinahanglan kita (nga) maghanda." (handa = prepare)

"This letter needs to be sent." — "Ining sulat kinahanglan nga ipadala." (sulat = write/letter, padala = send)

"Service to one another needs to continue." — "Ang pagalagad sa isa kag isa kinahanglan nga magpadayon." (alagad = serve, isa kag isa = one another, padayon = continue)

"This is what people need." — "Ini ang kinahanglan sang mga tawo." (tawo = people)

"Kinahanglan" can be congugated as well, but it's often not.

"They need our help." — "Nagakinahanglan sila sang aton bulig." (bulig = help)

"It is necessary that we become faithful." — "Ginakinahanglan nga mangin matutum kita." (matutom = faithful/diligent)

"This book is necessary so you can understand..." — "Kinahanglanon ini nga libro para makahangop kamo..." (libro = book, hangop/intiende = understand)

Gusto / Luyag

"Gusto" and "luyag" sentences are often focused on the thing that is wanted/desired, making the sentence Object focus.

"I want to eat some barbecue." — "Gusto ko (nga) magkaon sang inasal." (kaon = eat, inasal = barbecue)

"What would you like?" — "Ano ang gusto mo?"

"I don't want my secret to be known." — "Indî ko gusto nga mabalan ang akon likom." (hibalo/balo = know, likom = secret)

"Maria wants you to give the bread to the dog." — "Gusto ni Maria nga ihatag mo ang tinapay sa idô" (hatag = give, tinapay = bread, idô = dog)

"We want to feel needed." — "Luyag naton (nga) mabatyagan nga kinahanglanon kita." (batyag = feel, kinahanglanon - needed/necessary)

"He wants to play." — "Luyag niya (nga) maghampang." (hampang = play)

"Amanda likes David." (romantically) — "Si Amanda nagaluyag kay David."
    Similarly: "(naga)Luyag siya sa imo."
    Also: "(na)Luyag niya Si David."

"Gusto" is more common/informal, and is derived from Spanish. "Luyag" is the deeper Hiligaynon word, and is therefore a little more formal. As with the rest of the language, you can see how "nga" is often optional, as well as conjugation.

Palanggâ

"I love my family." — "Palanggâ ko ang akon pamilya." (pamilya / panimalay = family)

"Palangga kita sang Dios." — "We are loved by God." (Dios = God)

Sarang

"You can become faster." — "Sarang kamo (nga) mangin mas madasig." (mas = more, madasig = quick/fast)

Most of these words can be conjugated, but you frequently see them without conjugation.

Next   ▶