kabuok

Pieces

Level 2

In Cebuano, when you count things, you often add the word kabuok (or ka buok) after the number to emphasize that you are counting 'pieces' or 'whole units.' It is the standard way to answer 'How many?' (Pila?).

How It Works

Cebuano uses numeral classifiers to group items being counted. The most common of these is buok.

  • Whole Units: Unlike the Spanish loanword piraso (which refers to a fragment or slice), buok refers to a complete, individual item. For example, a whole mango is usa ka buok mangga.
  • Counting People: It is standard and neutral to use buok for humans. To ask 'How many are you?' you say Pila mo kabuok? or Pila ka buok kamo?
  • The Linker vs. The Prefix: In the phrase duha ka buok, the word ka is a linker required between the number and the noun. However, in the word kabuok (e.g., Pila kabuok?), the ka- is a prefix used to form a collective number.
  • Emphasis: While you can simply say tulo ka mangga (three mangoes), adding buok (tulo ka buok mangga) specifies that you are counting individual pieces.

Examples (4)

  1. Pila ka buok ang imong mga anak?

    How many children do you have?

    Word by Word: How-many [linker] piece the your [plural] child?

    In this standard usage, 'buok' acts as a counter for people (children).

  2. Nagpalit ko og lima ka buok itlog.

    I bought five eggs.

    Word by Word: Bought I [marker] five [linker] piece egg.

    Here, 'buok' counts individual, whole eggs.

  3. Tulo na lang mi kabuok sa balay.

    There are only three of us left in the house.

    Word by Word: Three already only we pieces at-the house.

    This uses the prefixed form 'kabuok' to describe the total count of a group.

  4. Hatagi ko og duha ka buok pan.

    Give me two pieces of bread (two whole rolls).

    Word by Word: Give me [marker] two [linker] piece bread.

    Using 'buok' implies whole rolls or buns rather than slices.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the mandatory linker 'ka' after the number.

    tulo buok mangga
    tulo ka buok mangga

    In Cebuano, numbers require the linker 'ka' before the noun or classifier.

  • Using 'kabuok' for mass nouns like water or sand.

    duha ka buok tubig
    duha ka baso nga tubig

    'Kabuok' is only for count nouns (discrete items). For liquids, use a container like 'baso' (glass).

How It Connects

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

kabuokLevel 2Pieces

Learn This First

To understand 'kabuok', you first need to know the basic Cebuano counting structure using the particle 'ka'. You also need to understand how the ligature 'nga' connects modifiers to nouns, as 'kabuok' functions as a specific unit of measure (pieces) that must be linked to the object being counted.

Words in This Pattern

buok