Locative Focus (-an Suffix)

Emphasizing locations, directions, and referents

Overview

The Locative Focus (sometimes called Referent Focus) is an important verb focus in Bisaya that emphasizes the location, direction, or referent of an action. It uses the '-an' suffix. The -an suffix can mark: • Location where action happens: lutoan (place of cooking) • Direction of action: adtoan (place to go to) • Beneficiary/referent: hatagan (one given to) • Surface affected: hugasan (thing to be washed) This focus is essential for natural-sounding Bisaya and is used frequently in everyday speech.

Examples

Lutoan nako ang kaldero

I will cook in the pot / The pot is where I'll cook

💡 Focus on location (kaldero) - where the cooking happens. Compare: 'Magluto ko' (I will cook - actor focus)

Adtoan nako ang merkado

I will go to the market / The market is where I'll go

💡 Focus on destination (merkado) - where the going is directed

Hatagan nako siya ug regalo

I will give him/her a gift

💡 Focus on recipient (siya) - who receives the gift. '-an' marks the beneficiary here.

Hugasan nako ang plato

I will wash the plate / The plate will be washed by me

💡 Focus on the surface/object being washed (plato)

Lingkuran nako ang bangko

I will sit on the bench

💡 Focus on where the sitting happens (bangko)

Gi-adtoan nako ang ilang balay

I went to their house

💡 Completed locative focus using 'gi-...-an' pattern

💡 Tips to Remember

•Locative focus uses '-an' suffix: luto → lutoan, adto → adtoan
•Completed aspect: gi- + root + -an (gi-adto-an = was gone to)
•Contemplated aspect: root + -an (adtoan = will go to)
•The -an focus often translates to 'where' or 'to whom' something is done
•Many nouns ending in '-an' are derived from locative focus verbs: lutoan (kitchen), hugasan (sink)
•Don't confuse with -an suffix in nouns (kamatuoran = truth) - context matters!

Verb Focus System

Verb Aspects