kami / mi

Exclusive We

Level 1

kami (full) / mi (short) = We (but not you).
Use this when talking about your group to someone who is not part of that group.

How It Works

In Cebuano, pronouns have both full and short forms. Understanding when to use each is key to natural speech.

1. The Exclusive 'We'
Unlike English, which uses 'we' for everyone, Cebuano uses kami to say 'we' while excluding the listener. If you tell a friend 'We are going to the mall' using kami, you are telling them they aren't invited.

2. Full Form: kami
The full form is used:

  • At the beginning of a sentence for emphasis (e.g., Kami ang nidaog - We were the ones who won).
  • As a standalone answer to a question (e.g., Kinsa ang moadto? Kami. - Who is going? We are.).
  • In formal writing or public speaking.

3. Short Form: mi
The short form mi is an enclitic. This means it cannot start a sentence and must follow the first word of the predicate.

  • Moadto mi. (We are going.)
  • Gutom mi. (We are hungry.)

4. Particle and Negation Order
When using particles like na (already) or pa (still), they come before the pronoun in the enclitic cluster (e.g., Moadto na mi - We are going now).

If the sentence is negative, mi moves to follow the negator immediately:

  • Dili mi moadto. (We are not going.)
  • Wala mi nikaon. (We did not eat.)

Examples (5)

  1. Taga-Sugbo mi.

    We are from Cebu.

    Word by Word: From-Cebu we.

    Using the short form 'mi' after the origin 'taga-Sugbo'. This excludes the listener.

  2. Moadto mi sa merkado unya.

    We are going to the market later.

    Word by Word: Will-go we to-the market later.

    The short form 'mi' follows the verb 'moadto'. This informs the listener of the group's plans without including them.

  3. Kami ang nikaon sa pan.

    We were the ones who ate the bread.

    Word by Word: We the-one ate the bread.

    The full form 'kami' is used at the start for emphasis to identify the specific group that performed the action.

  4. Gutom na mi kaayo.

    We are already very hungry.

    Word by Word: Hungry already we very.

    Shows 'mi' following the adjective and the particle 'na'. Note that 'mi' stays near the start of the sentence.

  5. Wala mi kaila niya.

    We don't know him/her.

    Word by Word: None we know him/her.

    In negative sentences starting with 'wala', the pronoun 'mi' must follow 'wala' immediately.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'kami' when you are inviting the listener.

    Different MeaningMangaon kami!
    Mangaon ta!

    'Mangaon kami!' is a good sentence meaning 'We (but not you) are going to eat.' To invite the listener, use the inclusive 'we': 'Mangaon ta!'.

  • Starting a sentence with the short form 'mi'.

    Mi moadto sa dagat.
    Moadto mi sa dagat.

    'Mi' is an enclitic and cannot stand alone at the start of a sentence. It must follow a host word like a verb or adjective.

  • Using 'mi-' where 'ni-' is the form you want to match.

    Different MeaningMikaon mi.
    Nikaon mi.

    'Mikaon mi' is correct. 'Mi-' and 'ni-' are two forms of the same started-action prefix, and which one you hear depends on the region. Both mean 'We ate'.

How It Connects

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

kami / miLevel 1Exclusive We

Learn This First

To use 'kami' or 'mi' correctly, you must first understand the cultural and linguistic distinction between inclusive and exclusive 'we'. Additionally, knowing how pronouns function within the 'ang' set and how they interact with Cebuano's lack of a copula (the word 'to be') allows you to form basic sentences.

Words in This Pattern