unsay
What Is
Unsay is the standard, everyday way to ask "What is..." or "What [noun]..." in Cebuano. It is a fusion of the question word unsa and the marker -y.
How It Works
1. Formation
The word is formed by taking the interrogative pronoun unsa (what) and attaching the enclitic marker -y. Because unsa ends in a vowel, the two blend seamlessly into unsay. In formal writing, you might see unsa ang, but in natural conversation, unsay is the dominant form. In very fast speech, this is often further reduced to just 'say (e.g., 'Say imong ngalan?).
2. Grammatical Function
Unlike English, which uses the verb "to be" (is/are), Cebuano uses a zero copula system. Unsay acts as the predicate (the "what is" part) and the following phrase is the subject. The -y marker is a contraction of ang, meaning it specifically points to a definite topic—asking "What is the [specific thing]?"
3. Usage Scenarios
- Identifying things: Asking for names, titles, or objects.
- Asking about actions: When combined with a verb, it asks "What is [the thing being done]?"
- General inquiries: Asking for news, prices, or status updates.
4. Unsay vs. Unsang
It is important to distinguish unsay from unsang. Use unsay when you want to say "What is the [Noun]?" Use unsang when you are using "what" as an adjective to modify a noun directly, like "Which/What [Noun]...?" (e.g., Unsang kolora? - What color?).
Examples (5)
- Unsay imong ngalan?
What is your name?
Word by Word: What-is your name?
This is the most common way to ask someone's name. 'Imong ngalan' is the topic being identified.
- Unsay gibuhat nimo?
What are you doing?
Word by Word: What-is the-thing-done by-you?
Here, 'unsay' is used with a verb in the gi- focus to ask about a current or recent action.
- Unsay maayong balita?
What is the good news?
Word by Word: What-is good news?
A common greeting or inquiry. 'Maayong balita' is the topic linked by the marker '-y'.
- Unsay sud-an nato?
What is our viand (side dish)?
Word by Word: What-is side-dish ours?
A very common household question. 'Sud-an' refers to the dish eaten with rice.
- Unsay naa didto?
What is there?
Word by Word: What-is [that which] is there?
Combines 'unsay' with the existential naa to ask about the contents of a location.
Common Mistakes
Using 'unsa' without the contracted '-y'.
Different MeaningUnsa imong ngalan?Unsay imong ngalan?'Unsa imong ngalan?' is natural and very common. 'Unsay imong ngalan?' is the same question with 'unsa' and 'ang' joined into 'unsay', which many speakers prefer in quick, friendly speech.
Confusing 'unsay' with 'unsang'.
Unsay oras na?Unsang orasa na?When 'what' modifies a specific noun like 'time' or 'color', you should use the ligature unsang instead of the identity marker 'unsay'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'unsay', you first need to know the base question word 'unsa' and how the marker 'ang' functions to identify the subject of the sentence. Since 'unsay' is a fusion of these two words used in equational sentences, familiarity with the zero copula (the absence of a word for 'is') is also required.
Related Patterns
- kinsaWho
The equivalent question word for 'who', which also frequently uses the '-y' marker (kinsay).
Level 1 - No Word For Is
The grammatical concept explaining why Cebuano doesn't need a specific word for 'is' in these questions.
Foundations - angFocused Phrase Marker
The formal marker that '-y' often replaces in conversational questions.
Level 1 - unsang + Noun + -aWhich / What Kind
The alternative form used when 'what' acts as a modifier (e.g., 'What color?') rather than a predicate ('What is...?').
Level 2 - naayThere Is
Another high-frequency contraction using the same '-y' marker to mean 'there is'.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice unsay in Bubblegum
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