kining / kanang / kadtong
Demonstratives Before a Noun
In Cebuano, when you want to say 'this house' or 'that book', you place the demonstrative before the noun and attach the ligature -ng. The noun also usually takes a suffix (-a or -ha) for emphasis.
How It Works
This pattern is the standard way to modify a noun with a demonstrative adjective. It consists of three parts:
1. The Demonstrative: Kini (this), Kana (that), or Kadto (that yonder).
2. The Ligature: Since these words end in vowels, the ligature -ng is attached directly to them, creating kining, kanang, and kadtong.
3. The Noun Suffix: When a demonstrative comes before a noun, the noun often takes the suffix -a (if it ends in a consonant) or -ha (if it ends in a vowel). This marks the noun as specific or definite. In everyday speech the suffix is often left off (kining balay).
Pluralization: To make the phrase plural, insert the plural marker mga between the demonstrative and the noun (e.g., kining mga libroha - 'these books').
Distances:
- Kining: Used for things the speaker is holding or is very close to.
- Kanang: Used for things the listener is holding or is near.
- Kadtong: Used for things far away from both people, or to refer to something in the past (e.g., kadtong adlawa - 'that day').
In casual speech, kini often becomes kani, resulting in kaning. You may also hear shortened versions like ning, nang, or tong.
Examples (5)
- Kining libroha kay para kanimo.
This book is for you.
Word by Word: This book (is) for you.
Kining (kini + -ng) modifies 'libro'. The suffix '-ha' is added to 'libro' because it ends in a vowel.
- Palihog ko sa kanang basoha.
Please [give] me that glass.
Word by Word: Please me at that glass.
Kanang refers to a glass near the listener. The noun 'baso' takes the '-ha' suffix.
- Nindot kaayo kadtong salidaha.
That movie was very good.
Word by Word: Beautiful very that movie.
Kadtong refers to a movie seen in the past or far away. 'Salida' (movie) takes the '-ha' suffix because it ends in a vowel.
- Kaning tawhana hilomon kaayo.
This man is very quiet.
Word by Word: This man quiet very.
Uses the casual 'kaning' (from kani). 'Tawo' (person/man) takes the '-ha' suffix, which triggers a vowel change (syncope) to become 'tawhana'.
- Gusto ko niadtong awtoha.
I want that car (over there).
Word by Word: Want I of-that car.
This uses the genitive/oblique form 'niadtong' because the car is the object of 'gusto'. The noun suffix '-ha' remains.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the ligature -ng between the demonstrative and the noun.
Kini balay dako.Kining balaya dako.You cannot place a demonstrative directly before a noun without the ligature -ng. It must be 'kining', 'kanang', or 'kadtong'.
Not knowing the optional -a ending on the noun.
Different MeaningKining balay dako.Kining balaya dako.'Kining balay dako' is a good sentence. Many speakers also add -a to the noun ('kining balaya'), and both forms are heard.
Using 'kanang' for a star far from both speakers.
Different MeaningTan-awa kanang bituon.Tan-awa kadtong bituona.'Tan-awa kanang bituon' is a good sentence, but 'kanang' usually points to something near the listener. For a star far from both of you, use 'kadtong'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'kining', 'kanang', and 'kadtong', you first need to know the basic demonstrative pronouns (kini, kana, kadto). You also need to understand how the Cebuano ligature (-ng) functions to link a modifier to a noun, similar to how adjectives are linked to nouns.
- kini / niThis Near Me
The base demonstrative forms (kini, kana, kadto) must be understood before learning how they are modified with ligatures.
Level 1 - Adjective + -ng + NounModifier Before a Noun
Understanding how modifiers link to nouns using the -ng suffix provides the structural foundation for using demonstratives as pre-noun modifiers.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- niini / niana / niadtoDemonstrative Genitive Forms
These are the genitive/oblique versions of the demonstratives, used when the 'this/that' object is not the subject of the sentence.
Level 2 - nga / -ngThe Ligature
The ligature is the 'glue' that connects the demonstrative to the noun it modifies.
Foundations - unsang + Noun + -aWhich / What Kind
This pattern uses the same noun suffix (-a/-ha) when asking 'which' specific noun.
Level 2 - mao ni / mao na / mao toThis Is the One
These expressions use demonstratives to identify 'this is the one' or 'that is the one'.
Level 2 - kanangDiscourse Kanang
In spoken Cebuano, 'kanang' is frequently used as a filler word similar to 'uhm' or 'that... thing'.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
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