dili

Not

Level 1

Dili (often shortened to di) is used to say 'no' or to negate non-factual states (adjectives/nouns) and actions that are future, habitual, or general truths.

How It Works

Dili is one of the most essential words in Cebuano. Its usage falls into four main categories:

1. Negating Adjectives and Nouns: Use dili to say something is 'not' a certain way or 'not' a certain thing.
Example: Dili mahal. (Not expensive.)
Example: Dili siya doktor. (He is not a doctor.)

2. Negating Actions (Not Started): Use dili for actions that are in the future, are habitual, or are general facts. This corresponds to verbs using mo- or mag- prefixes.
Example: Dili ko mokaon. (I won't eat / I don't eat.)

3. Negating Wants and Needs: Unlike existence or possession, pseudo-verbs like gusto (want) and kinahanglan (need) are negated using dili.
Example: Dili ko gusto niana. (I don't want that.)

4. Standalone 'No': When answering a question to disagree or refuse, use dili. This is different from wala, which means 'none' or 'not there'.
Example: Dili, dili ko moadto. (No, I am not going.)

Word Order and Pronouns: When you use a pronoun like ko or ka with dili, the pronoun must 'jump' to the second position, immediately following the negator.
Example: Dili ko moadto. (I am not going.)

Register Note: In casual conversation, dili is often shortened to di. However, in formal writing or speeches, the full form dili is preferred.

Examples (5)

  1. Dili bugnaw ang tubig.

    The water is not cold.

    Word by Word: Not cold the water.

    Here, dili negates the adjective 'bugnaw' (cold).

  2. Dili ko moinom og kape.

    I don't drink coffee.

    Word by Word: Not I will-drink [marker] coffee.

    This shows a habitual action. Notice how the pronoun 'ko' moves to follow dili.

  3. Dili siya maestro.

    He is not a teacher.

    Word by Word: Not he teacher.

    Dili is used here to negate a noun (identity).

  4. Di ko moadto sa Sugbo ugma.

    I won't go to Cebu tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Not I will-go to Cebu tomorrow.

    Using the short form 'di' for a future action.

  5. Dili kini ang akong balay.

    This is not my house.

    Word by Word: Not this the my house.

    Negating a demonstrative pronoun 'kini' (this).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dili' for past actions.

    Dili ko nikaon gahapon.
    Wala ko nikaon gahapon.

    Dili is only for actions not yet started. For past actions (Action Begun), you must use wala.

  • Incorrect pronoun placement (English word order).

    Moadto ko dili.
    Dili ko moadto.

    In Cebuano, the negator comes first, and short pronouns usually follow it right away, as in Dili ko moadto. This is the usual second-position habit.

  • Using 'dili' for 'don't have'.

    Dili ko naa og kwarta.
    Wala koy kwarta.

    To negate possession (having something), you must use walay, not dili.

How It Connects

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diliLevel 1Not

Learn This First

To use 'dili' correctly, you need to understand that Cebuano sentences often lack a verb 'to be' (zero copula), how the language distinguishes between started and not-started actions, and how pronouns shift their position when a negator like 'dili' starts the sentence.

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