Cooking & Markets

1. Hain ang lokal nga merkado?

   Ha-in ang lo-kal nga mer-ka-do?

   Where is the local market?

   Usage

   Used when looking for fresh local produce

   Grammar Note

   "Hain" is the Cebuano interrogative for location. "ang" is the focus marker

2. Unsa ang ngalan niining sangkap?

   Un-sa ang nga-lan ni-i-ning sang-kap?

   What is this ingredient called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of an unfamiliar ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "Unsa" is the Cebuano interrogative pronoun meaning "what"

3. Maanghang ba kaayo kining pagkaon?

   Ma-ang-hang ba ka-a-yo ki-ning pag-ka-on?

   Is this dish very spicy?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a dish is very spicy

   Grammar Note

   "ba" is a Cebuano particle that marks a yes/no question

4. Pwede ba kang magrekomenda og klase sa pagluto?

   Pwe-de ba kang ma-gre-ko-men-da og kla-se sa pa-glu-to?

   Can you recommend a cooking class?

   Usage

   Used when seeking a cooking class recommendation

   Grammar Note

   "Pwede ba ~?" asks for permission or ability: "can you ~?"

5. Unsaon pagluto niining pagkaon?

   Un-sa-on pa-glu-to ni-i-ning pag-ka-on?

   How do you prepare this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to prepare a dish

   Grammar Note

   "Unsaon" is a process interrogative meaning "how is it done?" in Cebuano

6. Asa ko makapalit og sariwa nga mga utanon?

   A-sa ko ma-ka-pa-lit og sa-ri-wa nga mga u-ta-non?

   Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Used to find where to buy fresh produce

   Grammar Note

   "Asa" asks about location; "makapalit" means "can buy"

7. Gusto kong matuon mag-luto og lokal nga pagkaon.

   Gus-to kong ma-tu-on mag-lu-to og lo-kal nga pag-ka-on.

   I'd like to learn to cook local food.

   Usage

   Expresses interest in learning local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "Gusto ko ~" expresses desire; "kong" is a contracted form

8. Aduna ba kamoy mga sangkap nga vegetarian?

   A-du-na ba ka-moy mga sang-kap nga vegetarian?

   Do you have vegetarian ingredients?

   Usage

   Used when looking for vegetarian-friendly ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "Aduna" is the existential in Cebuano; "ba" marks the question

9. Unsang mga panakot ang gigamit niining pagkaon?

   Un-sang mga pa-na-kot ang gi-ga-mit ni-i-ning pag-ka-on?

   What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about spices in a dish

   Grammar Note

   "gigamit" is the passive progressive; "gi-" is a passive prefix in Cebuano

10. Pwede ba akong motilaw?

    Pwe-de ba a-kong mo-ti-law?

    Can I try a sample?

    Usage

    Used at markets or food shops to request a taste

    Grammar Note

    "Pwede ba akong ~?" politely asks for first-person permission

11. Asin

    Salt

    Usage

    Ask for or point at salt in a market or eatery

12. Asukar

    Sugar

    Usage

    Ask for or point at sugar

13. Paminta

    Pepper

    Usage

    Ask for or point at pepper

14. Mantika

    Cooking oil

    Usage

    Cooking oil; also useful when checking what a dish is cooked in

15. Suka

    Vinegar

    Usage

    Vinegar dips are standard in Cebu; point at this to ask for one

16. Mantikilya

    Butter

    Usage

    Ask for butter or check for dairy

17. Ahos

    Garlic

    Usage

    Check for or ask for garlic

18. Luy-a

    Ginger

    Usage

    Check for or ask for ginger

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