ka- (pagtuaw)
How Very
The ka- exclamative is the standard way to express surprise, admiration, or intensity in Cebuano. It turns an adjective into an exclamation like 'How beautiful!' or 'So big!'
How It Works
The ka- exclamative functions as an absolute superlative, used when you are reacting emotionally to something you see, hear, or experience.
1. Formation:
You must use the root of the adjective. If the adjective normally uses the ma- prefix, that prefix must be dropped.
- Nindot (Beautiful) → Kanindot! (How beautiful!)
- Ma-asin (Salty) → Kaasin! (How salty!)
2. The Emphatic Suffix:
In natural conversation, speakers almost always add the suffix -a (or -ha if the root ends in a vowel) for stronger emphasis. This is the 'definitizer' suffix.
- Kadakoa! (How very big!)
- Kagwapaha! (How very pretty!)
3. Sentence Structure:
Unlike standard sentences that use ang, the subject of a ka- exclamation uses the genitive/oblique case markers (sa for nouns or nimo for pronouns).
- Kanindot sa balay! (How beautiful the house is!)
- Kadako na nimo! (How big you've become!)
Examples (5)
- Kanindot sa buwak!
How beautiful the flower is!
Word by Word: How-beautiful of-the flower
Uses the root 'nindot' with the ka- prefix and the 'sa' marker for the subject.
- Kadakoa na nimo, Leah!
How big you've become, Leah!
Word by Word: How-big-emphatic already of-you Leah
Uses the emphatic suffix -a and the genitive pronoun 'nimo'.
- Kabaho gud ani!
How smelly this is!
Word by Word: How-smelly [particle] of-this
The particle 'gud' is often added to ka- exclamations to add surprise or annoyance.
- Kalayo ba sa inyong balay.
Wow, your house is so far.
Word by Word: How-far [question-particle] of-your house
Even though 'ba' is a question particle, it is often used in exclamations to express disbelief at the intensity.
- Kalami sa pagkaon!
How delicious the food is!
Word by Word: How-delicious of-the food
A very common reaction when tasting something good.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the 'ma-' prefix when adding 'ka-'.
Kamagwapa niya!Kagwapa niya!The 'ma-' prefix must be dropped. You only attach 'ka-' to the root word.
Using 'ang' instead of 'sa' for the subject.
Kanindot ang balay!Kanindot sa balay!Exclamatory sentences in Cebuano require the genitive/oblique case (sa/ni) for the thing being described, not the focused 'ang' case.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use the ka- exclamative, you need to know the adjective roots (commonly found in ma- adjectives) and how to link the exclamation to a noun using the 'sa' marker. Since these are complete thoughts without a verb, understanding how Cebuano handles sentences without the word 'is' is also necessary.
- ma- (adhetibo)Ma- Adjectives
The ka- exclamative prefix is applied to the same adjective roots used in ma- adjectives, and understanding the base adjective form is essential.
Level 1 - saOblique and Definite Marker
The ka- exclamative pattern typically uses the 'sa' marker to indicate the subject of the exclamation (e.g., 'Kadako sa balay').
Level 1
Related Patterns
- pagka- (pagtuaw)How Very Indeed
This is the formal, full version of the 'ka-' exclamative prefix.
Level 3 - kaayoVery
While 'ka-' is an exclamation, 'kaayo' is the standard adverb for 'very' used in statement sentences.
Level 1 - nimo / moSecond-Person Genitive
Genitive pronouns like 'nimo' are used as the subject when saying 'How [adjective] you are!'
Level 1 - ka- (kalidad)Degree or Quality Noun
The same 'ka-' prefix can also be used to form abstract nouns representing the degree of a quality.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice ka- (pagtuaw) in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Cebuano lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
