Adjectives and Descriptions
How to describe things in Bisaya
Overview
Adjectives in Bisaya can come before or after the noun, depending on the sentence structure. They are connected to nouns using the linker 'nga' (or its shortened forms). Common patterns: ā¢ Adjective + nga + Noun: "Dako nga balay" (big house) ā¢ Noun + Adjective: "Balay nga dako" (house that is big) ā¢ Intensifiers: Use 'kaayo' for 'very' - "Dako kaayo" (very big)
Examples
Dako (big), Gamay (small)
Size adjectives
š” Dako nga balay (big house), Gamay nga bata (small child)
Taas (tall/long), Mubo (short)
Height/length adjectives
š” Taas nga tawo (tall person), Mubo nga dalan (short road)
Init (hot), Bugnaw (cold)
Temperature adjectives
š” Init ang adlaw (The sun is hot), Bugnaw ang tubig (The water is cold)
Maayo (good), Daotan (bad)
Quality adjectives
š” Maayo nga tawo (good person), Daotan nga panahon (bad weather)
Lami kaayo!
Very delicious!
š” 'Kaayo' after adjective = very
Mas dako
Bigger (more big)
š” 'Mas' before adjective = more (comparative)
Pinakadako
Biggest
š” 'Pinaka-' prefix = most (superlative)
š” Tips to Remember
- ā¢Use 'kaayo' after an adjective to mean 'very': lami kaayo (very delicious)
- ā¢Use 'mas' before an adjective for comparisons: mas dako (bigger)
- ā¢Use 'pinaka-' prefix for superlatives: pinakadako (biggest)
- ā¢Some adjectives have 'ma-' prefix: maayo (good), maanindot (beautiful)
- ā¢'Nga' becomes 'ng' after vowels: gamay'ng instead of gamay nga