unsa
What
Unsa is the Cebuano word for 'what'. It is used to ask about things, actions, or qualities. In spoken Cebuano, it often contracts with the marker ang to become unsay.
How It Works
1. Basic Questioning
The most common use is asking 'What is [noun]?'. In these cases, unsa is usually followed by the focused phrase marker ang. In natural speech, these two words almost always contract into unsay.
2. Verbalization (Doing What)
Unlike English, unsa can function as a verb root. To ask 'What are you doing?', you add an actor focus prefix: Nag-unsa ka? (What are you doing?). It is also the root for giunsa (how it was done) and unsaon (how to do). Note that while these ask 'how' regarding a method, you must use kumusta to ask 'how' regarding a condition or state.
3. Modifying Nouns
When asking 'What [noun]?' (e.g., 'What time?'), unsa uses the ligature -ng to connect to the noun: Unsang orasa?
4. Indefinite and Exclamatory Use
When paired with bisan, it becomes bisan unsa (anything). It can also be used for exclamations of shock or confusion using the pagka- prefix: Pagka-unsa na man ni!
5. Placeholders
If you forget a word, you can use unsa as a placeholder, similar to kuan, to keep the conversation flowing while you search for the right term.
Examples (6)
- Unsay imong ngalan?
What is your name?
Word by Word: What-is your name?
Uses the contraction unsay (unsa + ang) and the possessive pronoun imong.
- Nag-unsa ka?
What are you doing?
Word by Word: [started-action]-what you?
Demonstrates unsa acting as a verb root with the nag- prefix.
- Unsang orasa na?
What time is it now?
Word by Word: What time already?
Demonstrates unsa taking the ligature -ng to modify the noun 'oras' (time).
- Bisan unsa lang ang iyang paliton.
He will just buy anything.
Word by Word: Even what only the his will-buy.
Shows unsa used as an indefinite pronoun meaning 'anything' when paired with bisan.
- Pagka-unsa na man ni!
What on earth is this!
Word by Word: [exclamative]-what already [softener] this!
Uses the pagka- prefix to turn unsa into an exclamation of frustration or surprise.
- Kuan, unsa to, ang yawe!
Uh, what was it, the key!
Word by Word: Placeholder, what that, the key!
Demonstrates unsa used as a placeholder alongside kuan when the speaker forgets a word.
Common Mistakes
Using 'Unsa para?' for 'What for?'
Unsa para kini?Para sa unsa kini?Cebuano usually places the preposition first. 'What for' should be 'Para sa unsa' or simply 'Ngano' (Why).
Confusing 'unsa' (what) with 'usa' (one).
Usa ni?Unsa ni?Beginners often drop the 'n' by mistake. 'Usa' means the number one, while 'unsa' is the question word.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'unsa' (what) effectively, you need to understand how Cebuano handles identity questions without a copula verb ('is'), how to mark the subject of the question with 'ang', and how to refer to objects using demonstrative pronouns.
Related Patterns
- unsayWhat Is
The most common spoken contraction of 'unsa' and the focus marker 'ang'.
Level 1 - kinsaWho
The counterpart to 'unsa' used specifically for people ('who').
Level 1 - unsaonHow to Do
The verb form of 'unsa' used to ask 'how' to do something in the future.
Level 1 - giunsaHow Was It Done
The verb form of 'unsa' used to ask 'how' something was done in the past.
Level 1 - bisan unsa / bisan kinsa / bisan asaAnything Anyone Anywhere
The indefinite form meaning 'whatever' or 'anything'.
Level 3 - kuanPlaceholder Word
A related placeholder word used when the speaker cannot recall a specific term.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice unsa in Bubblegum
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