dili tungod ... kondili tungod ...

Not Because but Because

Level 5

Use dili tungod... kondili tungod... to reject a false reason and immediately provide the true one. It is the formal way to say 'not because... but rather because...'

How It Works

The construction dili tungod... kondili tungod... is a sophisticated tool for logical contrast. It is more precise than using a simple pero or apan (but) because it specifically signals that a correction is being made to a causal claim.

1. Structural Components:

  • Dili: Negates the first cause. It is often paired with limiters like lang or lamang (only) to sharpen the contrast (e.g., dili lang tungod sa...). If you use dili lang tungod sa, the second half should use an additive word like usab or pud (e.g., kondili tungod usab sa...).
  • Tungod: The core causal marker. While it is often repeated in both halves of the sentence for emphasis or balance, it is perfectly natural and common to drop it in the second half as long as the accompanying marker (like sa or kay) is retained (e.g., dili tungod sa X, kondili sa Y). In very formal or archaic registers, you may encounter the synonym gumikan used in place of tungod.
  • Kondili: A contraction of kon (if) and dili (not), functioning as 'but rather' or 'but instead.' You will frequently see the spelling variant kundili or it written as two separate words (kon dili) in older texts or specific regional dialects. In very formal contexts, you may see hinunoa added after kondili for extra emphasis (e.g., kondili hinunoa tungod sa...).

2. Choosing the Right Marker:
The choice of marker after tungod depends on what follows:

  • Use sa for common nouns (e.g., dili tungod sa kwarta).
  • Use ni or kang for personal names (e.g., dili tungod kang Maria).
  • Use oblique pronouns (kanako, kanimo, kaniya, etc.) for personal pronouns (e.g., dili tungod kanako). Short-form genitive pronouns like nako, nimo, and niya are also frequently used and perfectly grammatical (e.g., dili tungod nako).
  • Use kay if you are introducing a full clause with a verb (e.g., dili tungod kay pobre siya). Note that it is highly natural to drop tungod entirely and just use kay (e.g., dili kay X, kondili kay Y).

3. Register and Usage:
While pero is common in casual conversation, kondili is preferred in formal writing, public speaking, and literature. It provides a clear, rhythmic structure that helps the listener follow the logic of the argument.

Examples (6)

  1. Dili tungod sa kwarta ang akong pag-anhi, kondili tungod sa akong tinguha nga makatabang.

    My coming here is not because of money, but rather because of my desire to help.

    Word by Word: Not because of money the my coming, but-rather because of my desire that to-help.

    This uses 'sa' because both 'kwarta' and 'tinguha' are nouns. Note the repetition of 'tungod' for balance.

  2. Gihigugma ko ikaw dili tungod sa imong kaanyag, kondili tungod sa kon kinsa ka.

    I love you not because of your beauty, but rather because of who you are.

    Word by Word: Love I you not because of your beauty, but-rather because of if who you.

    A classic romantic expression using the pattern to contrast physical traits with character. 'Kaanyag' is the standard Cebuano term for beauty.

  3. Nangita sila kanimo dili tungod kay nakakita sila sa milagro, kondili tungod kay nakakaon sila.

    They are looking for you not because they saw the miracle, but because they were able to eat.

    Word by Word: Looking they for-you not because saw they the miracle, but-rather because ate they.

    This uses 'kay' because it is followed by full clauses (they saw/they ate) rather than simple nouns.

  4. Dili tungod kanako ang kadaugan, kondili tungod kanimo.

    The victory is not because of me, but rather because of you.

    Word by Word: Not because of-me the victory, but-rather because of-you.

    When using pronouns, 'tungod' requires the oblique case (kanako, kanimo, etc.).

  5. Dili tungod kang Juan ang problema, kondili tungod sa sistema.

    The problem is not because of Juan, but rather because of the system.

    Word by Word: Not because of-personal Juan the problem, but-rather because of-common system.

    Demonstrates the use of 'kang' for a personal name versus 'sa' for a common noun.

  6. Ang iyang pagbiya dili gumikan sa kahadlok, kondili hinunoa gumikan sa iyang tinguha alang sa kalinaw.

    His departure was not due to fear, but rather due to his desire for peace.

    Word by Word: The his departure not because of fear, but-rather instead because of his desire for peace.

    This example demonstrates a very formal register, substituting 'tungod' with 'gumikan' and adding 'hinunoa' to emphasize the contrast.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong marker in the second half.

    Dili tungod sa kwarta, kondili ang gugma.
    Dili tungod sa kwarta, kondili sa gugma.

    While it is common and natural to drop 'tungod' in the second half, you must still retain the matching marker (like 'sa' or 'kay'). Using 'ang' instead of 'sa' breaks the grammatical parallel.

  • Using 'apan' where the formal 'kondili' fits.

    Different MeaningDili tungod sa ulan, apan tungod sa trapik.
    Dili tungod sa ulan, kondili tungod sa trapik.

    'Dili tungod sa ulan, apan tungod sa trapik' is correct. 'Kondili' is the more formal, literary way to say 'but rather' after a negation.

  • Confusing 'tungod sa' and 'tungod kay'.

    Dili tungod kay ang kwarta...
    Dili tungod sa kwarta...

    Use 'sa' before nouns and 'kay' before verbs/clauses. Using 'kay' before a simple noun is ungrammatical.

How It Connects

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dili tungod ... kondili tungod ...Level 5Not Because but Because

Learn This First

This pattern combines the contrastive 'dili... kondili' (not... but) structure with the causal marker 'tungod' (because) to correct a perceived reason or cause.

Words in This Pattern