-i

Locative-Focus Command

Level 3

The -i suffix is used for commands (imperatives) when the most important part of the sentence is where the action happens or who receives the action. It is the command version of the -an locative focus.

How It Works

The -i locative imperative is essential for daily requests and directions. It functions as the 'dependent' or 'imperative' form of the -an locative focus.

1. Recipient and Beneficiary:
When the command involves giving something to someone or doing a favor, use -i. The person receiving the action is marked by ko or si + Name.
Example: Hatagi ko. (Give me.)

2. Location as Target:
If the command is to put something into a container or perform an action at a specific spot, use -i. The location is marked by ang.
Example: Sudli ang baso. (Fill the glass.)

3. Morphological Changes:
Adding -i often causes the root word to change shape through syncope (vowel dropping) or, for some vowel-ending roots, by adding an 'h':

  • Sulod (enter/put in) + -i → Sudli (The 'o' drops and the 'l' and 'd' swap places)
  • Basa (read) + -i → Basahi (An 'h' is inserted)
  • Tudlo (teach) + -i → Tudloi (no 'h' here; the -i is added right after the final vowel)

4. Use with Negation:
This form is also used when negating past actions with wala. Instead of the indicative -an, careful Cebuano uses the -i form; colloquial speech often keeps the started form, as in Wala nako siya gihatagan.
Example: Wala nako siya hatagi. (I did not give him/her.)

Examples (5)

  1. Hatagi siya og tubig.

    Give him/her some water.

    Word by Word: Give he/she [marker] water.

    Here, the focus is on the recipient (siya), so the verb 'hatag' (give) takes the -i suffix.

  2. Tabangi intawon ko!

    Please, help me!

    Word by Word: Help [pity/please] me!

    The speaker (ko) is the beneficiary of the help, requiring the -i suffix on 'tabang'.

  3. Sudli ang pitser og juice.

    Put juice in the pitcher.

    Word by Word: Put-in the pitcher [marker] juice.

    The pitcher is the location/container being acted upon, so 'sulod' becomes 'sudli'.

  4. Basahi ko og libro.

    Read me a book.

    Word by Word: Read me [marker] book.

    Because the root 'basa' ends in a vowel, an 'h' is inserted before the -i suffix.

  5. Putsi ang pagkaon.

    Wrap the food.

    Word by Word: Wrap the food.

    The root 'putos' undergoes syncope (vowel dropping) to become 'putsi'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative -an for commands.

    Hatagan ko og kwarta.
    Hatagi ko og kwarta.

    Hatagan means 'will be given' (a statement). For a command, you must use the -i suffix.

  • Confusing -a (Object Focus) with -i (Locative Focus).

    Palita ko og pan.
    Paliti ko og pan.

    Palita means 'Buy it' (focusing on the bread). Paliti means 'Buy for me' (focusing on the person).

How It Connects

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

-iLevel 3Locative-Focus Command

Learn This First

To use the -i locative imperative, you must first understand the Locative Focus (-an), as -i is its command counterpart. You also need to be familiar with using genitive pronouns for the actor, which is standard for non-actor focus constructions, and the general concept of Cebuano imperatives.