kamo / mo

Second-Person Plural

Level 1

Kamo and mo mean 'you all' (plural). They are used strictly when addressing two or more people.

How It Works

In Cebuano, kamo and mo are the 'Absolutive' or subject pronouns for the second-person plural. They are used exclusively for Plural Address (speaking to a group of two or more people).

The Two Forms:

  • kamo (Full Form): An independent pronoun. It can start a sentence for emphasis (pronoun fronting) or stand alone.
  • mo (Short Form): An enclitic. It cannot start a sentence and must follow the first word of the clause.

Word Order:
If a sentence starts with a verb, mo follows immediately: Mokaon mo? (Will you all eat?). If a sentence starts with a negator, mo 'jumps' to the negator: Dili mo mokaon? (Aren't you all eating?).

Caution on Ambiguity:
Be aware that mo is also the short form of the singular genitive pronoun nimo (meaning 'your' or 'by you'). Context determines the meaning: Gwapa mo (You all are beautiful) vs. Iro mo (Your dog).

Examples (4)

  1. Moadto ba mo sa Sugbo?

    Are you all going to Cebu?

    Word by Word: Will-go [question] you-all to Cebu?

    Here, 'mo' is the short form of 'kamo', following the verb and the question particle 'ba' in the second position.

  2. Kamo ang akong gipangita.

    You are the ones I am looking for.

    Word by Word: You-all [focus-marker] my being-looked-for.

    The full form 'kamo' is used at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis through pronoun fronting.

  3. Dili mo manglaba ugma?

    Aren't you all doing laundry tomorrow?

    Word by Word: Not you-all will-do-laundry tomorrow?

    When the sentence is negated with dili, the pronoun 'mo' must move to the second position, right after the negator.

  4. Kaon na kamo, mga bata.

    Eat now, children.

    Word by Word: Eat now you-all, [plural] child.

    This shows 'kamo' used to address a group. While the short form 'mo' is very common, the full form 'kamo' is often used at the end of a phrase for clarity or emphasis when addressing others.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plural 'mo' for one elder.

    Different MeaningKumusta mo, Tay?
    Kumusta ka, Tay?

    'Kumusta mo, Tay?' is heard, and some families use the plural mo or kamo to show respect to one elder. Most Cebuano speakers use ka for one person, even an elder, and show respect with a title like 'Tay' or 'Ma'am'. See ikaw / ka.

  • Starting a sentence with the short form 'mo'.

    Mo moadto sa tindahan?
    Moadto mo sa tindahan?

    'Mo' is an enclitic and cannot stand first. It must follow the verb or another headword in the second position.

  • Using 'mo' when you mean 'your' for several people.

    Different MeaningAsa ang balay mo?
    Asa ang balay ninyo?

    'Asa ang balay mo?' is a good sentence: 'mo' is a short form of nimo (your, one person). To say 'your house' for several people, use ninyo.

How It Connects

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

kamo / moLevel 1Second-Person Plural

Learn This First

To learn 'kamo' and its short form 'mo', you need to understand how Cebuano pronouns are categorized into sets and the rules for placing short-form pronouns in the second position of a sentence. Additionally, recognizing the use of plural pronouns for singular polite address is key to natural communication.

Words in This Pattern

kamo