Time

Sangaw - Now or Later, Going to

Meka sangaw taw? - Are you coming here now?
Kinnanna sangaw yatun - He's going to eat that!
Apammu sangaw yaw- Take this (either now or later).

Sonu umma - Tomorrow

Mallawatta sonu umma! - Let's go out tomorrow!
Mamegafu na' sonu umma - I'll start tomorrow.

Ganguri - A little while ago, "forever"

Mine yeyya taw ganguri - He came here a little while ago.
Ganguri na' paga magiddak niko - I've been waiting for you here forever!

Kagabi - Yesterday, Last night

Naggiraw kami kagabi ta sine - We watched at the theatres last night.
Nallabbe' yeyya kagabi - He came home yesterday.

Turi - A long time ago

Mineda taw turi paga - They came here a long time ago
Nakkiddaw da ta uffun nikami turi ta awan yeyya - They asked for help a long time ago when he wasn't around.

Ngana - Already

Kiminakka ngana? - Have you eaten already?
Nasingammu ngana yari pelicula? - Have you already seen the movie?

Review Vocabulary

So far let's review the vocabulary that has been used. It would be too redundant and too complicated to try and review all the lessons thus far covered. So, let's stick with words we can memorize. There will be a brief overview of some tenses used, but nothing to extensive so that you are not too confused.

Verbs

• Umay/May/Ume/Me (infinitive future & present tense) - to go, to come, will go, will come
  
• Mine/Minay (past tense) - went

• Innan (ifp*)- to see, will see, see

*(In order to lessen the clutter I will only write "ifp" for "infinitive, future and present tense.)

• Gatangan (ifp) - to buy, will buy

• Alegan (ifp) - to find, will find

• Arian (ifp) - to remove, will remove, remove
  

• Kuman (ifp) - to eat, will eat, eat

• Maggayam - to play

• Mangalek - to look for, to search
• 
  
• Manguffun - to help
• Mamalasa - to do groceries
• Dan - to give
• Agalan - to call
• Uffunan - will help
• Ginadwa - to cut/split in half
• Ginakko' - to hug
• Nanguffun - helped
• Nanga' - took
• Nagidda - laid down

Nouns
bola - ball
Aritu' - earrings
Sapatu' - shoes
Mangga - mango
Majong - mahjongg
Balay - house/home
Danum - water
Katri - bed
Sandia - watermelon
Plasa - market (often a wet market)

Direct Object and Indirect Object Pronoun

Let me say this first, I am no expert in Ybanag. What I know is from what I speak and what i hear from my family and relatives.

With that being said, let's move on. Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns are not as complicated as the Personal pronouns but need to be clarified in order for Ybanags to understand what you are talking about.

Let's look at the differences between Direct and Indirect Object in English first:

Direct would be: "We gave him a car"
(This is direct because the action is "directly" aimed towards the pronoun.)

Indirect would be: "They received a letter from him."
(They are often preceded by a preposition or if "to" can be applied ie "to him" then this would be an indirect object pronoun.)

In Ybanag, the same rules can be applied.

Direct Object Pronouns

me - sakan
Dammu sakan ta danum - Give me some water.

you - sikaw
Uffungakku sikaw sangaw - Will help you later.

him, her, it - yayya
Alegattam yayya - Let's look for him.

us - sittam (inclusive)
Patayadda sittam!!! - They're killing us!!!

us - sikami (exclusive)
Pinalabbe'da sikami - They made us leave/go home.

you - sikamu
Pinorayadda sikamu - They lectured you! (They got mad at you)

they - ira
Ina'mi ira - We took them.



Indirect Object Pronouns

All the following pronouns literally mean "to me, to you, to him, etc"

me - niakan
Namegafu niakan - It started with me.

you - niko /nikaw
Umay nikaw y kitu - The dog is coming to you.

him, her, it - nisa
Neggatang nisa ngamin - Everything was bought for her.

us - nittam (inclusive)
Ginangwana para nittam - He did it for us.

us - nikami (exclusive)
Egga nikami y susim - We have your keys.

you - nikamu
Dios nikamu ngamin - God bless you all.

them - nira
Aru mine nira turi ta gafu - Many went to them at first.

Possessive Pronouns Part 2

Now that the 1st form of Possessive pronouns is done, we can move on to the 2nd. These forms are fairly easy to remember since all of them begin with "ku" or "kua."

Mine - Kukua'
Yours - Kukuam
His, Hers, Its - Kuana
Ours (inclusive) - Kuatam
Ours (exclusive) - Kuami
Yours - Kuanu
Theirs - Kuada

Let's see some examples:

Kukua' ya gaggayam - That is my toy.
Kukuam yaw lapis - This is your pencil.
Kuana yari - That was hers.
Kuatam yaw balay - This is our house (we own this house).
Kuami ya take - That is our car (we own that car).
Kuanu yaw - This is yours
Kuada ya parte na danum - That's their part of the water.

Pretty easy isn't it? (I Hope)

Possessive Pronouns Part 1

Possessive Pronouns are easier to deal with in comparison to the previous postings regarding when to use the various forms of each personal pronoun. With Possessive pronouns, 2 forms* exist. In English we have "my and mine" and in the same way Ybanag has "-ku, kukua'." This is the same concept.

*my and your are two possessive pronouns that have 3 forms. However, they're not as complicated as it may seem.

Possessive Pronouns in Ybanag are always attached after the noun used to describe what is being possessed or owned. I.e. in English it would look like this: "Dog-my", "Cat-my", "House-our"

So Let's go ahead and take a look at our first set of possessive pronouns. Notice how all of them are identical to some of the forms used for personal pronouns.

My - "-ku" & " ' "

My pillow - "fungakku"
My cough - "ikakku"

The use of the glottal stop occurs when nouns end in a vowel.

My car - "koche' "
My dog -" kitu' "

Your - "-mu" & "-m"

Your son - "Ana'mu"
Your candles - "Kandela'mu"

"-m" is used when the word ends in a vowel. However, not when it ends in a glottal stop. In this case, as in the examples above, you would use "mu."

Your house - "Balem"
Your sister - "Wagim"

His, Her, Its - "-na"

His mother - "Yenana"

Our (inclusive) - "-tam"

Our father - "Yamatam"

Our (exclusive) - "-mi"

Our land - "Davummi"

Your (plural/polite) - "-nu"

Your city - "Syudadnu"

Their - "-da"

Their paper - "Papelda"

Pronouns Part 5 "Ira"

"Ira" means "They or them." This is one of the easiest pronouns to deal with in Ybanag. Let's being.

Two forms

• Da
  
• Ira

"Da"

"Da" is used for most if not all verb conjugations.

• Mabbaggaoda ta piggan - They're doing the dishes.
• Inangyanadda yari bako' ira - They visited the old ladies.
• kinadda nakuan yari putu ngem napoluadda - They would've eaten the "putu" but they got beaten to it.

"Ira"

"Ira" is used to emphasize as with any other "infinitive/independent" form of a pronoun.

• Ira y mamagulu - They're the ones who started the argument.
• Ira y nappate ta nuang - They're the ones who killed the carabao.

Vocabulary
Verbs
Mabbaggao - to wash dishes
Inangyanan - to visit
Napoluan - to be beaten to first by someone else
Mamagulu - to cause an argument/fight
Nappate - killed

Nouns
Piggan - plate
Bako' - old lady
Putu - a type of rice dessert
Nuang - Water buffalo (carabao)


To be edited (Thanks James!)

Pronouns Part 4 "Sikami anna Sittam"

Many, if not most Malayo-polynesian languages have at least 2 forms for the word "We". This is so that any ambiguity may be avoided. For example, when I say: "We are from the Philippines." It is unknown whether or not "we" includes the person being spoken to. Of course if the person being spoken to is not from the Philippines then it is obviously not referring to him or her.

"Sikami"

Sikami is the exclusive form of "We". This means the speaker refers to all persons except for the one being spoken to. It has 3 forms.

• Mi
• Kami
• Sikami

"Mi"

"Mi" tends to be used with the markers: "nga", "y" This happens when a second verb is attached to the sentence. For example:

• Memi nga innan - we are going to see
• Apammi y kitu - we are going to take the dog.
• Ina'mi y payung - we took the umbrella.
• Kanammi y bavi - we eat pork.

"Kami"

"Kami" is used with "ma+verb" or "na+verb" sentences.

• Umay kami mamalasa - we are going to do groceries
• Nangalek kami ta kamosi' - we were looking for sweet potato leaves.
• Mangagal kami ta kalesa - we are going to call for a horse buggy.

"Sikami"

"Sikami" is used to emphasize who is doing what and is often followed by "Y".

• Sikami y nadjan ta balena - We were the ones staying at his house.
• Sikami y nappapoli' ta takem - We were the ones who got your car fixed.
• Sikami y nappaga ta madjan - We were the ones who paid the maid.
  

"Sittam"

Whereas "sikami" indicated exclusiveness, "Sittam" indicates inclusiveness. This means that it includes the person being spoken to; meaning all of us. There are 2 forms.

• Tam
• Sittam

"Tam"

"Tam" is the standard and most commonly used form of "We, inclusive" that is used.

• Umay tam mabbakasion - Let's go on a vacation.
• Kumattam ta Macdo' - Let's eat at Mcdonalds.
• Ina' tam yayya ganguri - We took him earlier.

"Sittam"

As with all the previous pronouns, "Sittam" indicates emphasis and is followed by "Y"

• Sittam y namegafu ta laban - We started the fight.
• Sittam ngamin y nanguffun ta nisa - All of us helped her.
  

Vocabulary
Verbs

Ina' - took
Nangalek - looked for
Mangagal - call
Nadjan - stayed
Nappapoli' - fixed
Nappaga - payed
Namegafu - started
Nanguffun - helped
Mabbacasion - to go on vacation

Nouns
Payung - umbrella
Bavi - pig
Kalesa - calesa (a type of horse drawn buggy)
Laban - a fight

Adjectives
Ganguri - earlier (indicates earlier time)


To be edited (Thanks James!)

Pronouns Part 3 "Yayya"

"Yayya" means "he, she or it"

As with the other pronouns there is at least two forms for "yayya"

• Na (note there is no glottal stop otherwise you end up with "I".)
• Yayya

"Na"

This may perhaps be one of the easier pronouns to deal with. In most cases, "Na" is used.

• Kananna y nilutu' - She is eating what I cooked
• Dagatanna sakan sangaw - He is coming to pick me up in a while
• Danna sikaw ta makan - She is giving you food
• Kinarelana sikami ta ospital - He ran us to the hospital (He brough us to the hospital)

"Yayya"

Oftentimes "yayya" is used when the verb is conjugated in the "ma_"

• Mazzigu' yayya - He is taking a bath/shower
• Mappattu yayya - She is jumping
• Nalaggabban yayya ta bannag - He drowned in the river

Vocabulary
Verbs
Dagatan - To pick up, To stop by
Karela - To run
Mazzigu' - To take a bath or shower
Mappattu - To jump
Malaggabban - To drown

Nouns
Makan - food
Bannag - river

Adjectives
Sangaw - Now/Later


To be edited (Thanks James!)

Pronouns Part 2 "Sikaw, Sikamu"

And now that we've covered the complexities of using "I" in Ybanag, let's move on to "You".
There are two forms of "you" in Ybanag. One form addresses an individual while the other refers to more than one person.

Sikaw

"Sikaw" is the independent form. Like other pronouns, "sikaw" has forms used to attach to verbs. Among them are:

• mu
• -m
  
• ka

"Mu"

This is the usual form that is used when referring to someone as "you". Also used when marker such as "Y" follows.

Kajammu niakan y kuruk. - Tell me the truth.
Kaya' mu y mallutu ta asimawa? - Do you want to cook beetles?


"-M"

This particular form tends to be used when a verb ends in a vowel.

Ammum si Owen? - Do you know Owen?


"Ka"

This form of "you" is used when followed by a marker such as "ta".

Maggirawka ta pelicula? - Do you watch movies?
Kumakka ta abalin? - Do you eat grubs?

Vocabulary
Verbs

Kajan - To say/tell
Kaya' - To like
Ammu - To know
Maggiraw - To watch
Mallutu - To cook

Nouns
kuruk - truth
asimawa - beetles
pelicula - movie
abalin - grubs




Sikamu

"Sikamu" is used when referring to an older person. Often it is used as a sign of respect. This pronoun is also used when speaking to more than one person. There are only two forms used.

• Nu
• Kamu
  
• Sikamu

"Nu"

This is the most widely used form of "you". Used when "nga + verb", "y" follows the initial verb phrase.

Arinu nga innan - Don't look. (however in this case, "Arinu innan" is also acceptable)
Innannu y lappaw - (Y'all) Look at the flower
Apannu so' ta airport - (Y'all) Pick me up from the airport

"Kamu"

This is another form used for most terms when referring to someone as "you"

Mattallung kamu - Come in.
Kumakkamu - (Y'all) Eat!
Makkarela kamu ta lawan! - Go run outside!


"Sikamu"

As is with most other independent pronouns, "Sikamu" is used when emphasizing the word "You" and is almost always followed by either "y" or "laman".

Sikamu y mabbantay taw - You will be the one to guard here.
Sikamu laman ngana y makkatruk - You should be the ones to sleep.



Vocabulary

Verbs

Apan - To take
Mattallung - To enter
Makkarela - To run
Mabbantay - To guard
Makkaturuk - To sleep

Nouns
Lappaw - flower
Lawan - outside

To be edited (Thanks James!)

Pronouns Part 1 "Sakan"

In this lesson, I will be covering the first pronoun: "I/me"

If there is anything complicated about Ybanag, aside from pronunciation and a few verb conjugations, it would be in the use of pronouns, especially "I/me". So let's get started.

"I/me" in Ybanag is "Sakan or So`" However, there are different forms used in conjunction with different verbs or nouns. Here are some ways you can say "I"

• ku
• na'
• ' *this is a glottal stop produced after a vowel.
  
• so'
• sakan

"Ku" anna "na' "

As far as I am aware, the use of "I" is very particular and each of the forms of "I" needs to be properly used with the correct verb. Otherwise, you end up with a completely different meaning.

The general rule seems to be that if another verb along with "nga" follows the initial verb, the pronoun "ku" should be used.

Meku nga innan yayya - I will go see him/her.
Meku nga gatangan yari aritu' - I will go buy the earrings.

If a demonstrative follows the verb, "ku" should also be used.

Alegakku yari bola - I'm looking for the ball.
Ariakku yaw sapatu' - I'm taking my shoes off.

If a noun follows the initial verb, "na' " should be used, especially when markers like "ta" follow.

Kumanna' ta mangga - I am eating mango.
Maggayamna' ta majong - I am playing mahjong.
Mangalekna' ta manguffun niakan - I'm looking for someone to help me.

In some cases, "na' " will also be used when a second verb follows as long as the second verb is conjugated with "ma__"

Umayna' mamalasa ta plasa - I'm going to do groceries at the market.

Most times when you are referring to "me", "na' " will be used.

Danna' ta danum - Give me water.
Agalanna' sonu umma - Call me tomorrow.
Gatanganna' ta balay - Buy me a house.
Uffunanna' - Can you help me?

" ' "

This glottal stop is usually applied when verbs end in a vowel.

Ginadwa' yari sandia - I split the watermelon.
Ginakko' yayya - I hugged him/her.

"So' "

"So' " is used when you want to emphasize that it is you that is speaking or is doing the action. Words such as "Y" and "laman" tend to follow this pronoun.

So' y mine nga nanguffun nisa - I am the one who helped her.
So' laman ngana - Just let me do it.

So' can also be used when referring to "me" but with more emphasis.

Dammu so' ta danum - You give me some water.
Uffunammu so' - You help me.

"Sakan"

"Sakan" can also be used interchangeably with "so'" but usually used in response to questions such as "Who did it?" or "Who ___?" However, sakan will never be used with a conjugated verb. It is also used in passive forms.

Sinni y kiminan ta balukku? - Who ate my food?
Sakan - It was me/I!
Sakan y nanga ta danum - I'm the one who got the water.
Sakan y nagidda ta katri - I'm the one who laid on the bed.

At the same time, "Sakan" can also be used to refer to "me". However, be careful when using this because in phrases such as these following, you may appear rude.

Dammu sakan ta danum - You give me some water.
Uffunammu sakan - You help me.

Vocabulary
Verbs
Umay - To go
Innan - To see
Gumatang - To buy
Alegan - To look/search/find
Arian - To remove
Kuman - To eat
Maggayam - To play
Dan - To give
Mangagal - To call
Manguffun - To help
Maggadwa - To split/cut in half
Maggakko' - To hug
Manga' - To get/take
Magidda - To lay down

Nouns
Aritu' - earrings
Bola - ball
Sapatu' -shoes
Mangga - mango
Majong - mahjongg
Balay - house
Danum - water
Katri - bed
Sandia - watermelon
Plasa - market place/ usually a wet market

Thanks James for the corrections (I will fix this soon)

Locatives

These work in conjunction with demonstratives and in Ibanag, they are used to emphasize the demonstratives.

• Here - Taw
• There - Tatun (by person being spoken to)
• There - Tari (far from both speaker and person being spoken to)
• There - Turi (far, absent or occuring in the past)

Examples

• Yaw abbing taw (This child here)
• Yatun itubang tatun (That chair/seat there)
• Yari balay tari (That house over there)
• Yuri madjan turi (That maid in the past)

Vocabulary
abbing - child
itubang - chair/seat
balay - house *can also be pronounced "bale"
madjan - a house maid

Demonstratives

Ybanag has at least four demonstrative pronouns used in colloquial speech. The reason I say "at least" is because of the fact that I am only aware of how Ybanag is colloquially spoken. I am not an expert on Adalam nga Ybanag (deep Ibanag), meaning I only know Ybanag as it is spoken and not the "proper" Ybanag per se. With this being said, you will still be understood when using these set of demonstratives.

• This - Yaw
• That -Yatun (item by person being spoken to)
• That - Yari (item far from both speaker and person being spoken to)
• That - Yuri (item is in the past or absent from view)

Examples:

1. Yaw manu' - This chicken
2. Yatun kazzing - That goat
3. Yari mammanu' - That bird
4. Yuri take - That ride/car
   

Vocabulary
manu' - chicken
kazzing - goat
mammanu' -any bird
take - ride/car (coche can also be used)
take* can also be pronounced "takay"

Articles

The first lesson will focus on Articles. In English, we have "the","a,an", and "some".

• The - Y (pronounced "eeh")
• The (plural) - Y_Ira (pronounced "eerah", literally they or them)
• A/An - Tadday (pronounced "tahd die", meaning "one")*

*When using "tadday", "nga" is often added to mark the subject or the noun.

1. The dog - Y kitu
2. The people - Y tolay Ira (note that both "Y" and "Ira" are placed around the noun)
3. A flower - Tadday nga lappaw (note the "nga". this is a marker linking the article to the noun)

1. y kutu, y kitu, y kitaw
2. y balakak ira, y madjan ira, y bale ira
3. tadday nga futu, tadday nga lalaki, tadday nga zila

1. the lice, the dog, the cat
2. the mice, the maids, the houses
3. one heart, one man, one tongue

Vocabulary
kutu - lice
kitu - dog
kitaw - cat
balakak - rat/mice
madjan - maid
bale (balay) - house
futu - heart
lalaki - men/boy/male
zila - tongue

Maddulo` Kamu

Welcome to Ybanag 101.

I have been planning and looking for a way to come up with an Ybanag lessons website, where I can maintain the language as well as create lessons for those interested in the language. For starters, Ybanag is a Malayo-polynesian language from the Northeastern section of the Philippines. Speakers of Ybanag mostly live in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. However there are many expatriate communities living abroad in the U.S., U.K., MiddleEast and other areas of the world.
The reason why i decided to make this, is to preserve the language for later generations to come and to bring back interest to my homeland's language. Perhaps by doing so, others will be motivated to preserve their own languages since many languages actually do become extinct every year.