labaw sa tanan

Above All

Level 6

Labaw sa tanan is the ultimate priority marker in Cebuano. It is used to highlight the most important point in a list or to introduce a primary command that outweighs all other considerations.

How It Works

At Level 6, it is important to distinguish labaw sa tanan from other comparative structures. While mas ... kaysa compares two things, and labing or pinaka- create standard superlatives for adjectives, labaw sa tanan acts as a discourse marker for ultimate significance. The root labaw can also function as a standalone verb (e.g., Milabaw siya sa iyang mga kauban - He surpassed his companions) or an adjective meaning 'superior' or 'protruding'.

Syntactic Usage:

  • Sentence-Initial: Used to set the tone for a command or a thesis statement. Example: Labaw sa tanan, pag-ampo.
  • List-Final: Used to cap off a list of attributes. In standard formal speech, it is naturally preceded by the conjunction ug (and) as part of general list syntax.
  • Sentence-Final Adverbial: It can modify a verb at the end of a sentence without a conjunction (e.g., Gihigugma ko siya labaw sa tanan).
  • Predicate Usage: It can follow mao to define a subject as the most important thing (e.g., Ang pagtuo mao ang labaw sa tanan).

Variations:
A common formal variation is labaw sa tanang butang (above all things), which uses the ligature to link 'tanan' to 'butang' (thing).

Nuance and Register:
Although it sounds formal, it is extremely common in daily life when giving advice or expressing deep values. It implies that even if everything else is forgotten or ignored, the point following this phrase must be upheld.

Examples (5)

  1. Labaw sa tanan, ayaw kalimot sa pagpasalamat sa Ginoo.

    Above all, do not forget to give thanks to the Lord.

    Word by Word: Superior to all, do-not forget in giving-thanks to-the Lord.

    Here, the phrase is used at the start of the sentence to establish the most important instruction.

  2. Siya usa ka maayong amahan, kugihan nga trabahante, ug labaw sa tanan, matinud-anon nga higala.

    He is a good father, a hardworking worker, and above all, a faithful friend.

    Word by Word: He one (linker) good father, hardworking (linker) worker, and superior to all, faithful (linker) friend.

    In this list of qualities, 'labaw sa tanan' identifies the final quality as the most significant one, requiring the conjunction 'ug'.

  3. Gihigugma ko ikaw labaw sa tanan.

    I love you above all.

    Word by Word: Love I you superior to all.

    This demonstrates the phrase used as a sentence-final adverbial modifier, where no conjunction is needed.

  4. Ang gugma mao ang labaw sa tanan.

    Love is that which is above all.

    Word by Word: The love is the superior to all.

    This shows the phrase used in a predicate position following 'mao ang' to define the subject's status.

  5. Labaw sa tanang butang, pag-amping kamo.

    Above all things, take care.

    Word by Word: Superior to all-linker things, take-care you-all.

    This uses the common variation 'labaw sa tanang butang' (above all things) for added emphasis.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the conjunction 'ug' when ending a list in formal speech.

    Maayo siya, gwapa, labaw sa tanan buotan.
    Maayo siya, gwapa, ug labaw sa tanan buotan.

    While 'labaw sa tanan' marks the most important item, standard Cebuano enumeration usually requires the conjunction ug (and) before the final item in a list. Including it makes the transition to the superlative point smoother and more natural.

  • Confusing 'labaw sa tanan' with 'labi na'.

    Ganahan ko og prutas, labaw sa tanan mangga.
    Ganahan ko og prutas, labi na ang mangga.

    Use labi na (especially) to highlight a specific example from a category. Use 'labaw sa tanan' only when you want to rank that item as the absolute highest priority or most important truth above all others.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

labaw sa tananLevel 6Above All

Learn This First

The phrase 'labaw sa tanan' functions as a superlative expression meaning 'above all' or 'most of all'. It requires an understanding of the oblique marker 'sa' to indicate the scope of comparison and the quantifier 'tanan' to represent the totality being surpassed.

Words in This Pattern

labaw