sukad

Since

Level 4

Sukad is the standard Cebuano word for 'since.' It marks a point in time when an action or state began and implies that the situation has continued up to the present or a specific reference point.

How It Works

1. Temporal and Spatial Origin
The primary use of sukad is to establish a starting point. While it most commonly emphasizes the unbroken duration of time from a specific point until now, it is also used to mark the starting point of physical distance or measurement (e.g., Sukad sa ila nganhi... meaning 'From their house to here...'). Unlike gikan sa, which focuses on the source, sukad often highlights the span following that origin.

  • Sukad sa Lunes... (Since Monday...)
  • Sukad niadtong tungora... (Since that moment...)
  • Sukad karon... (From now on...)
  • Sukad kaniadto... (Since then / Ever since...)

2. The 'Sukad ... Hangtod ...' Pairing
To establish a clear range of time, distance, or sequence, sukad is frequently paired with hangtod (until/up to). For example: Sukad kaniadto hangtod karon (From then until now) or Sukad Lunes hangtod Biyernes (From Monday to Friday).

3. Syntactic Requirements
When followed by a noun (like a day or month), it is common to use the marker sa, though dropping it (e.g., Sukad Lunes) is also grammatically acceptable and widely used in natural speech and journalism. When referring to a person, you use the personal marker kang (e.g., Sukad kang Maria...), but note that this is strictly for sequence, lineage, or a physical line. If an action is implied, you must use a full clause instead. When followed by a demonstrative like niadto (that time), it attaches directly. It can also function as a conjunction to introduce a full clause: Sukad nga niabot siya... (Since he arrived...). In natural speech, the linker nga is frequently dropped (e.g., Sukad niabot siya...).

4. The Limitative 'Pa'
In natural conversation, sukad is very frequently followed by the enclitic pa. This adds emphasis, similar to the English 'ever since' or 'as far back as.'

5. Idiomatic 'Sukad Masukad', 'Sukaranan', and Verbal Forms
Sukad masukad is a fixed intensive phrase. In positive contexts, it means 'since the beginning of time' or 'since time immemorial.' In negative sentences (with wala), it means 'never ever.' Additionally, the root sukad is the basis for the important noun sukaranan, which means 'basis,' 'foundation,' or 'groundwork.' Furthermore, the root forms the verbs manukad (future/infinitive) and nanukad (past/present), meaning 'to start movement from a certain point,' 'to originate,' or 'to take a physical stance or foothold' (e.g., Adto manukad ang prusisyon sa kapilya - The procession will start from the chapel).

6. Distinctions and Homonyms
Do not confuse the preposition sukad with sugod (to start). Sugod marks the inception of an act, while sukad marks the span following it. Additionally, be aware that sukad is also a common verb meaning 'to ladle out food' (especially rice), and it frequently appears in the patient focus (e.g., Gisukad ang kan-on). Never use sukad to mean 'because'; for causality, use kay or tungod kay.

Examples (6)

  1. Sukad sa Enero, wala na siya diri.

    Since January, he hasn't been here.

    Word by Word: Since in January, not already he here.

    Shows the use of 'sukad' with a specific month, requiring the marker 'sa'.

  2. Sukad pa sa buntag, nagpaabot ko nimo.

    I have been waiting for you ever since this morning.

    Word by Word: Since still in morning, [started-actor-focus]-wait I for-you.

    Demonstrates the common pairing with 'pa' to emphasize duration.

  3. Sukad sa balay nganhi sa eskwelahan, nagbaktas ra mi.

    From the house to the school, we just walked.

    Word by Word: Since in house here in school, [started-actor-focus]-walk only we.

    Illustrates the spatial usage of 'sukad' to mark the starting point of a physical distance.

  4. Sukad nga nagkaila mi ni Maria, wala na koy laing gihigugma.

    Since Maria and I met, I have not loved anyone else.

    Word by Word: Since [ligature] [started-reciprocal]-meet we [genitive] Maria, none already I-[ligature] other [patient-focus]-love.

    Demonstrates that when an action is implied with a person, a full clause must be used instead of the anglicized 'sukad kang'.

  5. Wala pa gyud ko makakaon og durian sukad masukad.

    I have never ever eaten durian in my entire life.

    Word by Word: Not yet really I [ability]-eat [object] durian since [intensive].

    Uses the idiomatic 'sukad masukad' to mean 'never ever' in a negative sentence.

  6. Sukad karon, magtuon na ko og maayo.

    From now on, I will study well.

    Word by Word: Since now, [actor-focus]-study already I [adverb-marker] good.

    Demonstrates the common phrase 'sukad karon' meaning 'from now on'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sukad' to mean 'because' (causality).

    Sukad nag-ulan man, dili ko mogawas.
    Tungod kay nag-ulan man, dili ko mogawas.

    In English, 'since' can mean 'because,' but in Cebuano, 'sukad' is only for time. Use 'tungod kay' or 'kay' for reasons.

  • Confusing 'sukad' (since) with the verb 'sugod' (to start).

    Sukad ang klase sa alas otso.
    Magsugod ang klase sa alas otso.

    While 'sukad' means 'since' (focusing on the span of time following a starting point), the actual verb for 'to start' or 'to begin' is 'sugod'.

  • Using 'sukad' for physical origin (hometown).

    Sukad ko sa Sugbo.
    Taga-Sugbo ko. / Gikan ko sa Sugbo.

    To say you are 'from' a place, use 'taga-' or 'gikan sa'. 'Sukad' is primarily for the starting point of time or a physical measurement from a point.

How It Connects

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sukadLevel 4Since

Learn This First

To use 'sukad' (since), you need to know how to mark the starting point of time. This usually involves the oblique marker 'sa' for general time references or demonstrative forms like 'niadto' for specific past points.

Words in This Pattern

sukad — sa