ingon ani / ingon ana
Like This and Like That
Use ingon ani for 'like this' (near the speaker) and ingon ana for 'like that' (near the listener) to describe how something is done or what something is like.
How It Works
In Cebuano, when you want to say 'do it this way' or 'it looks like that,' you use the ingon patterns. These are essential for giving instructions or describing characteristics.
1. The Three Distances:
- Ingon ani: 'Like this.' Used when the speaker is demonstrating the action or holding the object.
- Ingon ana: 'Like that.' Used when referring to something the listener is doing or something near the listener.
- Ingon adto: 'Like that yonder.' Used for something far from both the speaker and listener.
2. Usage in Sentences:
These patterns often appear at the start of a sentence to set the manner, or after a verb. When used with the negative command ayaw, they require the marker og (e.g., Ayaw og ingon ana).
3. Casual Contractions:
In daily conversation, native speakers frequently shorten these to in-ani and in-ana. You might even hear them shortened further to just ani or ana in very informal contexts, though the full form is more clear for learners.
Examples (5)
- Ingon ani ang pagluto sa adobo.
This is how you cook adobo.
Word by Word: Like this the cooking of adobo.
Here, 'ingon ani' describes the method or process of cooking.
- Ayaw og ingon ana, kay basin masakitan siya.
Don't be like that, because he might get hurt.
Word by Word: Do not [marker] like that, because might get-hurt he.
This uses 'ingon ana' to refer to a behavior or action the listener is currently doing.
- Gusto ko og balay nga ingon adto kadako.
I want a house that is as big as that one over there.
Word by Word: Want I [marker] house [ligature] like that-yonder as-big.
This uses 'ingon adto' to compare the size of a house to one in the distance.
- In-ana gyud ang kinabuhi.
Life is really like that.
Word by Word: Like-that really the life.
This uses the common contraction 'in-ana' with the particle 'gyud' for emphasis.
- Giunsa nimo paghimo ang ingon ani nga kape?
How did you make this kind of coffee?
Word by Word: How-was-it-done by-you making the like this [ligature] coffee?
Using 'ingon ani' with a ligature 'nga' to describe a specific quality of an object.
Common Mistakes
Using 'sama sa' when describing a physical action or method.
Sama sa ang paglihok.Ingon ani ang paglihok.'Sama sa' usually means 'similar to' in nature or appearance. When you are demonstrating 'how' to move, 'ingon ani' is the natural choice for manner.
Confusing the adverb 'ingon ani' with the verb 'ingon' (to say).
Ingon ani siya nga moadto siya.Miingon siya nga moadto siya.If you mean 'He said,' use the verb 'miingon.' 'Ingon ani siya' means 'He is like this' or 'He acts this way.'
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- ani / ana / atoShort Demonstrative Obliques
These are the base demonstrative forms that combine with 'ingon' to create the adverbs of manner.
Level 2 - sama saLike / Same as
Both express similarity, but 'sama sa' focuses on being 'the same as' while 'ingon ani' focuses on the 'way' or 'manner'.
Level 2 - giunsaHow Was It Done
This is the question word 'how' (past), which is often answered using 'ingon ani' (like this).
Level 1 - ayaw + og + VerbDo Not Do
When telling someone 'don't be like that,' you use 'ayaw' followed by 'og ingon ana'.
Level 2 - nga / -ngThe Ligature
The ligature is used when 'ingon ani' modifies a noun directly (e.g., 'ingon ani nga tawo').
Foundations - sama ka- / ingon ka-As ... as
This related pattern uses 'ingon' to express equality in degree (e.g., 'as big as').
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ingon ani / ingon ana in Bubblegum
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