Plain Command

The bare-root imperative is the simplest way to give a direct command in Cebuano. You just use the base form of the verb exactly as it appears in the dictionary (e.g., kaon, lakaw, lingkod). Omitting the pag- prefix gives the command a more blunt, forceful, or abrupt tone compared to the standard neutral imperative (e.g., Pagluto!, Pagkaon!). Motion and directional verbs (like adto - go there, ari - come here) are especially common in this bare-root format.

Key Characteristics:

• Direct and Forceful: Using just the root word makes a command direct and sometimes strict. It is often used when speaking to close friends or children.
• Pronouns: For a single person, you usually drop the word for 'you' (e.g., Luto! - Cook!). To tell a group of people to do something, add mo after the verb (e.g., Kaon mo! - Eat, everyone!).
• Adding Objects: If you want to include a general object, use og (e.g., Palit og isda. - Buy some fish.). Note that specific objects (like 'the fish') cannot be used with this form and require a different verb form, specifically the Patient-Focus Command (e.g., Palita ang isda. - Buy the fish.). If addressing a group with a Patient-Focus command, you must use ninyo instead of mo (e.g., Palita ninyo ang isda. - Buy the fish, everyone.).
• Saying 'Do Not': To tell someone not to do something, put ayaw before the verb. The standard neutral negative command retains the prefix (e.g., Ayaw pagdagan! - Do not run!). When the prefix is dropped, the standard grammatical realization attaches a 'g' (e.g., Ayawg dagan!). If you are addressing a group, the pronoun mo jumps right after ayaw, and the 'g' attaches to it (e.g., Ayaw mog dagan!). This 'g' is considered either a contraction of the pag- prefix or the linker ug. In colloquial speech, you will also hear the completely bare form (e.g., Ayaw dagan! or Ayaw mo dagan!). Furthermore, if you want to tell someone not to act on a specific object (like 'do not buy the fish'), you cannot use the bare root. You must use the Patient-Focus Command (e.g., Ayaw palita ang isda. or Ayawg palita ang isda.). For a group, use ninyo (e.g., Ayaw ninyo palita ang isda.).
• Softening the Command: Because bare roots can sound like strict orders, Cebuanos most frequently soften them in everyday speech by adding the enclitic particles na (now/already) or lang (just) (e.g., Kaon na. - Eat now. / Lingkod lang. - Just sit.). You can also make them more polite by adding palihug (please) (e.g., Palihug, lingkod. - Please sit.). Note that if a pronoun is used with palihug, it usually jumps right after palihug rather than staying after the verb (e.g., Palihug ko, lingkod.).