karong + Time Word + -a

This Morning or Tonight

Level 2

Use karong + [Time Noun] + -a to say 'this [time period]'. It emphasizes that you are talking about the specific morning, day, or year happening right now.

How It Works

In Cebuano, simply saying karong buntag means 'this morning.' However, adding the suffix -a to the end of the time noun makes the reference more specific and definite. It is the standard way to refer to the current cycle of time.

1. Formation:
The pattern follows: karong + [Time Noun] + -a.

  • buntag (morning) → karong buntaga
  • hapon (afternoon) → karong hapona
  • adlaw (day) → karong adlawa (Today)
  • tuig (year) → karong tuiga

2. Morphological Changes:
If a time noun ends in a vowel, a 'h' is usually inserted before the suffix -a to separate the sounds.

  • semana (week) → karong semanaha

3. Irregular Forms:
The word for night, gabii, undergoes a change in formal or standard speech when this suffix is added:

  • gabii → karong gabhiona (Tonight)
  • Note: karong gabi-a is also heard in casual speech, but gabhiona is the standard written form.

4. Usage Note:
This pattern usually refers to the current time period or the one immediately approaching. If a time period has already passed (e.g., it is evening and you are talking about the morning that just happened), speakers usually use kaganinang buntag instead.

Examples (5)

  1. Moadto ko sa merkado karong buntaga.

    I am going to the market this morning.

    Word by Word: Will-go I to-the market this morning-this.

    Uses 'karong buntaga' to specify the morning of the current day.

  2. Busy kaayo mi karong adlawa.

    We are very busy today.

    Word by Word: Busy very we(exclusive) this day-this.

    'Karong adlawa' is the most natural way to say 'today' in a full sentence.

  3. Magkita ta karong gabhiona sa kapehan.

    Let's meet tonight at the coffee shop.

    Word by Word: Will-meet we(inclusive) this night-this at-the coffee-shop.

    Uses the standard form 'karong gabhiona' for 'tonight'.

  4. Daghan mig buhaton karong semanaha.

    We have many things to do this week.

    Word by Word: Many we(exclusive)-linker to-do this week-this.

    Shows the 'h' insertion for the vowel-ending word 'semana'.

  5. Wala koy klase karong hapona.

    I don't have class this afternoon.

    Word by Word: None my class this afternoon-this.

    Uses 'karong hapona' to refer to the upcoming afternoon of the same day.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the linker '-ng' after 'karon'.

    karon buntaga
    karong buntaga

    The word 'karon' (now) must be linked to the following noun using the '-ng' ligature.

  • Using 'karong buntaga' after the morning is already over.

    Different MeaningNikaon ko og daghan karong buntaga.
    Nikaon ko og daghan kaganinang buntag.

    'Karong' refers to the present or coming time. 'Karong buntaga' fits while it is still morning. If the morning is already over, say 'kaganinang buntag' (earlier this morning).

How It Connects

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

karong + Time Word + -aLevel 2This Morning or Tonight

Learn This First

To understand 'karong + time + -a', you need to know how the ligature '-ng' attaches to 'karon' to modify a following noun. You also need to be familiar with basic time-of-day vocabulary and how the suffix '-a' functions here to specify 'this particular' time period (like 'this morning' versus just 'morning').

Words in This Pattern

-a