Bisaya Grammar · Lesson 12 of 30
Adjectives and Descriptions
How to describe things in Bisaya
Overview
Examples & Usage
Dako (big), Gamay (small)
Size adjectives
Dako nga balay (big house), Gamay nga bata (small child)
Taas (tall/long), Mubo (short)
Height/length adjectives
Taas nga tawo (tall person), Mubo nga dalan (short road)
Init (hot), Bugnaw (cold)
Temperature adjectives
Init ang adlaw (The sun is hot), Bugnaw ang tubig (The water is cold)
Maayo (good), Daotan (bad)
Quality adjectives
Maayo nga tawo (good person), Daotan nga panahon (bad weather)
Lami kaayo!
Very delicious!
'Kaayo' after adjective = very
Mas dako
Bigger (more big)
'Mas' before adjective = more (comparative)
Pinakadako
Biggest
'Pinaka-' prefix = most (superlative)
Key Tips
- 1Use 'kaayo' after an adjective to mean 'very': lami kaayo (very delicious)
- 2Use 'mas' before an adjective for comparisons: mas dako (bigger)
- 3Use 'pinaka-' prefix for superlatives: pinakadako (biggest)
- 4Some adjectives have 'ma-' prefix: maayo (good), maanindot (beautiful)
- 5'Nga' becomes 'ng' after vowels: gamay'ng instead of gamay nga
Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge
5 questions · select the best answer for each
1.How do you say 'very delicious' in Bisaya?
2.Which is the correct way to say 'big house'?
3.How do you say 'biggest'?
4.'Mas taas siya kaysa nako.' What does 'kaysa' mean?
5.Which adjective uses the 'ma-' prefix?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'very' in Bisaya?
'Kaayo' placed after an adjective means 'very.' 'Lami kaayo!' (Very delicious!), 'Dako kaayo ang balay' (The house is very big), 'Maayo kaayo siya' (He/she is very good/kind). 'Kaayo' is one of the most frequently used intensifiers in everyday Bisaya conversation. You can also use 'gyud' (really/truly) for emphasis: 'Lami gyud!' (It's really delicious!).
What is the 'ma-' prefix on adjectives?
'Ma-' is a common adjective-forming prefix in Bisaya. It creates adjectives describing qualities: 'maayo' (good, from 'ayog'), 'maanindot' (beautiful), 'maaligotot' (itchy), 'mabaho' (smelly), 'mabug-at' (heavy), 'magaan' (light). Not all adjectives take 'ma-' — some are standalone words like 'dako' (big), 'gamay' (small), 'taas' (tall). Learning which words use 'ma-' comes naturally through exposure.
How do adjectives connect to nouns in Bisaya?
Adjectives connect to nouns via the linker 'nga' (or its contracted form 'ng' after vowels): 'dako nga balay' (big house), 'maayong tawo' (good person — maayo + ng). The adjective can come before or after the noun: 'dako nga balay' or 'balay nga dako.' In predicate position (describing the subject): 'Dako ang balay' (The house is big) — no linker needed when the adjective is the predicate.
How do I form comparatives and superlatives?
Comparative (more): 'mas' + adjective + 'kaysa' (than): 'Mas dako siya kaysa nako' (She is bigger than me). Superlative (most): 'pinaka-' prefix + adjective: 'Pinakadako' (biggest), 'Pinakamaayo' (best). 'Labing' can also be used for superlatives: 'Labing dako' (the biggest). The 'kaysa' in comparatives can be omitted in casual speech when context is clear.
What are the most essential adjectives for beginners to learn?
Start with opposites: dako/gamay (big/small), taas/mubo (tall/short), init/bugnaw (hot/cold), maayo/daotan (good/bad), lami/dili lami (delicious/not tasty), bag-o/daan (new/old), puti/itom (white/black), pula (red). Then add intensifiers: kaayo (very), gyud (really). These core adjectives cover most everyday descriptions. Pair them with 'nga' + noun or use them in predicate position for immediate usefulness.
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