uray

Even if and Although

Level 3

Main clause + uray no + concessive circumstance can mean even if or although.

How It Works

Uray no relates an assertion to a circumstance that could suggest a different outcome. With an anticipated event, it can mean “even if.” With a completed event and a known property or situation, it can mean “although.” No alone does not force a hypothetical reading.

Compare Agawidak no agtudo, “I will go home if it rains,” with Agawidak uray no agtudo, “I will go home even if it rains.” The second keeps the decision in place despite rain. In the reading example, the book’s known small size does not prevent the stated reading.

The writing manual also attests bare uray before a finite predicate. These cards retain uray no without claiming every possible bare-clause reading. Source spelling uray nu is also attested. Uray marks neither tense nor agreement. The separate free-choice expression uray ania means “anything.”

Examples (3)

  1. Agawidak uray no agtudo.

    I will go home even if it rains.

    Rain does not cancel the decision.

  2. Binasak ti libro uray no bassit.

    I read the book although it was small.

    In a context where its small size might discourage reading, the known property supplies a factual concession.

  3. Saanmo a bilangen ni Teresa uray no agawid inton bigat.

    Do not count Teresa even if she returns home tomorrow.

    The concession leaves the negative instruction in force.

How It Connects

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

urayLevel 3Even if and Although

Learn This First

Uray introduces a concession; context distinguishes an actual circumstance from an even-if condition.