Expressing Ability and Possibility

How to say 'can', 'able to', and 'might'

Overview

Bisaya has several ways to express ability, possibility, and capability. The main words are 'pwede' (can/may), 'mahimo' (can be done), and 'makahimo' (able to). • Pwede - permission or possibility • Makahimo/Mahimo - ability or capability • Basin/Tingali - maybe/might

Examples

Pwede ko mokaon?

Can I eat? / May I eat?

💡 'Pwede' for asking permission

Makahimo ko molangoy

I can swim / I know how to swim

💡 'Makahimo' for ability/skill

Dili ko makahimo

I can't / I'm not able to

💡 Negating ability with 'dili'

Mahimo ba?

Is it possible? / Can it be done?

💡 'Mahimo' for possibility of something being done

Basin moulan

It might rain

💡 'Basin' for uncertainty/possibility

Tingali moadto siya

Maybe he/she will go

💡 'Tingali' for maybe/perhaps

Kahibalo ko mag-drive

I know how to drive

💡 'Kahibalo' + mag- verb for knowing how to do something

💡 Tips to Remember

•'Pwede' is versatile - use it for permission, possibility, and polite requests
•'Makahimo' implies learned ability: makahimo ko moluto (I can cook/know how to cook)
•'Basin' and 'tingali' both mean 'maybe' but 'basin' is more common
•'Kahibalo' specifically means 'know how to' for skills
•Add 'ba' for questions: 'Pwede ba?' (Is it okay?), 'Makahimo ka ba?' (Can you?)

Commands and Requests

Conjunctions and Connecting Ideas