#004 - Ako, Ikaw, Siya: Easy Cebuano Pronouns (Ako/Ko, Ikaw/Ka)

Hi! Welcome to another short Cebuano lesson.

Today we’ll learn an important basic topic: Ako / ko, Ikaw / ka, Siya.

These words are used all the time in Cebuano.

Let’s start with Ako and ko.
Both mean “I”, used in different positions.

Ako is used when “I” is the focus of the sentence.
Example: Ako si Sven.
That means: I am Sven.

Ko is used inside the sentence, often after a description.
Example: Maayo ko.
That means: I’m good.

Now let’s look at Ikaw and ka.
Both mean “you” for one person.

Ikaw is used when “you” is the focus.
Example: Ikaw si Maria.
That means: You are Maria.

Ka is used inside the sentence.
Example: Kumusta ka?
That means: How are you?

Next is Siya.
Siya means “he” or “she.” Cebuano uses the same word for both.

Examples:
Siya si Ana.
That means: She is Ana.

Or:
Siya si Sven.
That means: He is Sven.

Now let’s practice:

Ako si Sven.
Ikaw si Maria.
Siya si Ana.

And with the shorter forms:
Maayo ko.
Kumusta ka?

Short Quiz

Choose the correct Cebuano word.

1. “I am good.”
   a) Maayo ako
   b) Maayo ko

2. “How are you?”
   a) Kumusta ikaw?
   b) Kumusta ka?

3. “She is Maria.”
   a) Siya si Maria
   b) Ikaw si Maria

Answers:

1. b — Maayo ko

2. b — Kumusta ka?

3. a — Siya si Maria

Practice these sentences out loud and use them in real life.

That’s today’s Cebuano lesson. More coming soon. Kita ta!