gusto + Pronoun + -ng + Verb

Want to

Level 1

Gusto + [Actor] + -ng/nga + [Verb (Not Started)]

How It Works

In Cebuano, expressing 'want to' requires a specific sentence structure involving the pseudo-verb gusto.

1. The Actor (Pronoun):
Unlike Tagalog, which uses genitive pronouns (ko, mo, niya) with gusto, Cebuano uses the nominative (absolutive) set. This includes pronouns like ko, ka, and siya.

2. The Ligature:
To connect the person wanting to the action they want to do, you must use the ligature.

  • If the actor ends in a vowel, you usually attach -ng. The short pronoun ka almost always becomes kang (e.g., Gusto kang mokaon), which is more natural than using ikaw nga.
  • If the actor ends in a consonant, use nga. The full nga is also heard after a vowel, as in the last example.

3. The Main Verb:
The verb following the ligature must be in the not started aspect. This usually means using the mo- prefix for actor-focus actions. You cannot use a 'started' (past) form because the desire is for an action that hasn't happened yet.

4. Negation:
To say you "do not want to," place dili at the beginning of the sentence (e.g., Dili ko gustong moadto). Do not use ayaw, as that is only for commands.

Examples (4)

  1. Gusto kong mokaon og mangga.

    I want to eat a mango.

    Word by Word: Want I-(ligature) will-eat (object) mango.

    Here, 'ko' (I) becomes 'kong' to link to the verb 'mokaon' (to eat).

  2. Gusto ka bang matulog na?

    Do you want to sleep already?

    Word by Word: Want you (question) (ligature) sleep already?

    The question particle 'ba' comes after the pronoun 'ka', and the ligature '-ng' attaches to 'ba'.

  3. Gusto siyang mopalit og bag-ong balay.

    He/She wants to buy a new house.

    Word by Word: Want he/she-(ligature) will-buy (object) new-(ligature) house.

    The pronoun 'siya' ends in a vowel, so the ligature '-ng' is attached directly to it.

  4. Gusto mi nga moadto sa dagat.

    We (exclusive) want to go to the ocean.

    Word by Word: Want we (ligature) will-go to-the ocean.

    Since 'mi' is a short form of 'kami', it is often followed by the full ligature 'nga' for clarity in speech.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the full pronoun 'nako' with 'gusto'.

    Different MeaningGusto nakong moadto.
    Gusto kong moadto.

    'Gusto nakong moadto' is a good sentence. In everyday speech the short 'ko' is more common: 'Gusto kong moadto'.

  • Using 'ayaw' to say you don't want to do something.

    Ayaw kong mokaon.
    Dili ko gustong mokaon.

    While 'ayaw' means 'don't' for commands, to say 'I don't want' with a verb, the usual form puts dili before 'gusto'.

  • Leaving out the ligature in careful speech.

    Different MeaningGusto ko mokaon.
    Gusto kong mokaon.

    'Gusto ko mokaon' is common in casual speech. In careful speech and writing, the -ng ligature joins the pronoun to the verb: 'Gusto kong mokaon'.

How It Connects

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

gusto + Pronoun + -ng + VerbLevel 1Want to

Learn This First

To learn 'gusto + verb', you need to understand how the ligature (-ng) connects words, how pronouns shift to the second position in a sentence, and how to use the not-started aspect of verbs to indicate an action that hasn't happened yet.

Words in This Pattern

gustogusto