labi na

Especially

Level 4

Labi na is the standard Cebuano way to say "especially" or "particularly." It is used to highlight one specific example or condition that is more prominent than others.

How It Works

In Cebuano, labi na acts as a pointer for emphasis. It is highly versatile and can be used in several ways:

  • Singling Out (Especially): This is the most common use, where it highlights a specific instance.
    • With Nouns: Usually followed by the marker sa. For example: labi na sa mga bata (especially for the children).
    • With Conditions: Introduces a subordinate clause using kung/kon (if/when), ug (and/if), or inig- (when/upon).
    • With Clauses: Followed by the nga linker to introduce a full descriptive clause.
  • Increasing Intensity (All the more): Labi na can also mean 'even more' or 'all the more' when describing an intensified state or action. In this usage, it often appears before a pronoun or verb to show that a situation has escalated. For example: Labi na siyang nalipay (He became all the more happy).
  • Formal Variant: In literature or formal speech, you will often see ilabi na. The prefix i- adds a layer of formal emphasis but the meaning remains the same.

Unlike the superlative labing, which must immediately precede an adjective, labi na is an adverbial phrase that stands before prepositions, conjunctions, or pronouns to add specific weight to a statement.

Examples (5)

  1. Lami ang lechon, labi na sa fiesta.

    The lechon is delicious, especially during the fiesta.

    Word by Word: Delicious the lechon, especially at the fiesta.

    Here, 'labi na' singles out the specific time (fiesta) when the statement about lechon is most relevant.

  2. Lisod ang kinabuhi karon, labi na kon wala kay trabaho.

    Life is hard now, especially if you don't have a job.

    Word by Word: Hard the life now, especially if none you-have job.

    This shows 'labi na' introducing a conditional clause starting with 'kon' (if).

  3. Labi na siyang nangisog pagkadungog sa balita.

    He became all the more angry upon hearing the news.

    Word by Word: More already he-focused started-angry upon-hearing of-the news.

    In this context, 'labi na' functions to show an increase in intensity, meaning 'all the more' or 'even more'.

  4. Ganahan ko og prutas, labi na sa mangga.

    I like fruit, especially mangoes.

    Word by Word: Like I (marker) fruit, especially at the mango.

    When 'labi na' points to a specific noun (mangga), the marker 'sa' is required.

  5. Gwapa kaayo siya, ilabi na kon mopahiyom.

    She is very beautiful, especially when she smiles.

    Word by Word: Beautiful very she, especially if (she) smiles.

    This uses the formal variant 'ilabi na' to emphasize a specific action.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'labing' instead of 'labi na' for 'especially'.

    Ganahan ko og prutas, labing mangga.
    Ganahan ko og prutas, labi na sa mangga.

    The word 'labing' is a contraction of 'labi + nga' and is used for superlatives (e.g., 'labing dako' - biggest). It cannot be used to mean 'especially' before a noun.

  • Omitting the marker 'sa' before a noun.

    Lami ang pagkaon, labi na fiesta.
    Lami ang pagkaon, labi na sa fiesta.

    In Cebuano, 'labi na' needs the oblique marker 'sa' to link to a noun phrase indicating a time or object.

How It Connects

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

labi naLevel 4Especially

Learn This First

To understand 'labi na' (especially), you need to be familiar with the particle 'na' and how the oblique marker 'sa' connects specific examples to a general statement. It also helps to understand how Cebuano uses particles to add emphasis to specific parts of a sentence.

Words in This Pattern

labi nalabi