dili kaayo

Not Very

Level 2

Use dili kaayo before an adjective or verb to soften a statement, turning 'very' into 'not very.'

How It Works

The phrase dili kaayo is the standard way to express 'not very' or 'not too' in Cebuano. It is essential for polite conversation and nuanced descriptions.

1. Word Order Shift
In affirmative sentences, kaayo comes after the adjective: Mahal kaayo (Very expensive). However, when you negate it, the entire phrase dili kaayo must come before the adjective: Dili kaayo mahal (Not very expensive).

2. Use with Verbs
It is frequently used with verbs of emotion, habit, or ability, such as ganahan (like) or kahibalo (know).
Example: Dili ko kaayo ganahan og sili. (I don't like chili very much.)

3. Clitic Placement
Cebuano follows the second-position rule. This means short pronouns like ka or ko will jump in between dili and kaayo.
Example: Dili ko kaayo gutom. (I am not very hungry.)

4. Dili vs. Wala
Use dili kaayo for adjectives and current habits. Use wala kaayo for past actions or possession (e.g., 'I didn't eat much' or 'I don't have much money').

Examples (5)

  1. Dili kaayo lisod ang pasulit.

    The exam is not very difficult.

    Word by Word: Not very difficult the exam.

    Here, 'dili kaayo' modifies the adjective 'lisod' (difficult) and is placed before it.

  2. Dili ko kaayo ganahan og kape.

    I don't like coffee very much.

    Word by Word: Not I very like [marker] coffee.

    Notice how the pronoun 'ko' (I) splits the phrase 'dili kaayo' because of the second-position rule.

  3. Kumusta ang pagkaon? — Dili kaayo.

    How is the food? — Not so good.

    Word by Word: How the food? — Not very.

    As a standalone response, 'dili kaayo' is a polite way to say something is mediocre or 'not that great.'

  4. Dili kaayo layo ang simbahan.

    The church is not too far.

    Word by Word: Not very far the church.

    This softens the description of distance.

  5. Dili siya kaayo mokaon og karne.

    He doesn't eat meat very much.

    Word by Word: Not he very eats [marker] meat.

    The pronoun 'siya' follows the second-position rule, appearing immediately after 'dili'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using English word order by placing 'dili kaayo' after the adjective.

    Mahal dili kaayo ang balay.
    Dili kaayo mahal ang balay.

    In Cebuano, the negative intensifier must precede the word it modifies, unlike the affirmative 'kaayo' which follows it.

  • Starting the sentence with the short pronoun 'ko'.

    Ko dili kaayo gutom.
    Dili ko kaayo gutom.

    The short pronoun 'ko' leans on the word before it, so it cannot open a sentence. 'Dili kaayo ko gutom' is also heard in casual speech, but 'Dili ko kaayo gutom' is the order shown here.

  • Using 'dili kaayo' for past events.

    Dili kaayo ko nikaon gahapon.
    Wala ko kaayo mokaon gahapon.

    For past actions (did not eat much), use 'wala' instead of 'dili', and keep the verb in its basic mo- form.

How It Connects

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

dili kaayoLevel 2Not Very

Learn This First

The pattern 'dili kaayo' is a compound construction that combines the negator 'dili' with the intensifier 'kaayo'. To understand it, you must first know how to negate a statement and how to intensify an adjective, as this pattern literally translates to 'not very' to soften a description.

Words in This Pattern