Photography

1. Pwede ba akong mokuha og litrato dinhi?

   Pwe-de ba a-kong mo-ku-ha og li-tra-to din-hi?

   May I take a photo here?

   Usage

   Use to check if photography is permitted in temples or museums

   Grammar Note

   "Pwede ba" is the most common Cebuano phrase for seeking permission. Taking a photo uses "kuha" (to get/take): "mokuha og litrato". "Dala" means to carry/bring, so it is not used for taking pictures

2. Pwede ba akong mokuha og imong litrato?

   Pwe-de ba a-kong mo-ku-ha og i-mong li-tra-to?

   Can I take your photo?

   Usage

   Always ask permission before photographing a person

   Grammar Note

   "imong" is the Cebuano second-person possessive. "og" is an object marker

3. Pwede ba kang mokuha og litrato namo?

   Pwe-de ba kang mo-ku-ha og li-tra-to na-mo?

   Could you take a photo of us?

   Usage

   Ask a stranger to photograph your group at a tourist spot

   Grammar Note

   "namo" is the exclusive first-person plural possessive (not including listener). "nato" includes the listener

4. Dili pwede mokuha og litrato dinhi

   Di-li pwe-de mo-ku-ha og li-tra-to din-hi

   Photography is not allowed here.

   Usage

   Used to inform visitors that photography is prohibited

   Grammar Note

   "Dili" is the Cebuano negation word, and "Dili pwede" means not allowed. Taking a photo uses "kuha": "mokuha og litrato"

5. Ang kahayag dinhi perpekto para sa mga litrato!

   Ang ka-ha-yag din-hi per-pek-to pa-ra sa mga li-tra-to!

   The light is perfect for photos here!

   Usage

   An enthusiastic comment about ideal lighting conditions

   Grammar Note

   "Ang" is the Cebuano topic/subject marker. "mga" is the plural marker

6. Pwede ka mobalhin gamay sa wala/tuo?

   Pwe-de ka mo-bal-hin ga-may sa wa-la/tu-o?

   Can you stand a bit to the left / right?

   Usage

   Direct a subject to shift position for better composition

   Grammar Note

   "gamay" means a little in Cebuano. "mobalhin" is the active verb meaning to move

7. Asa ang pinakamaayong lugar para mag-litrato sa monumento?

   A-sa ang pi-na-ka-ma-a-yong lu-gar pa-ra mag-li-tra-to sa mo-nu-men-to?

   Where is the best spot to photograph this landmark?

   Usage

   Ask locals for the best vantage point at a landmark

   Grammar Note

   "pinaka-" is the Cebuano superlative prefix. "Asa" is the question word for where

8. Patay na ang baterya sa akong camera — asa ko maka-charge?

   Pa-tay na ang ba-ter-ya sa a-kong camera — a-sa ko ma-ka-charge?

   My camera battery is dead — where can I charge it?

   Usage

   Ask at a café or hotel for a charging point

   Grammar Note

   "patay" means dead or off; it is the colloquial Cebuano word for a dead battery

9. Nangita ko og memory card

   I'm looking for a memory card.

   Usage

   Use in electronics stores or camera shops

   Grammar Note

   "nangita" is the progressive active form of the verb meaning to look for in Cebuano

10. Makapahingangha ang talan-awon — kinahanglan akong mo-litrato!

    Ma-ka-pa-hi-ngang-ha ang ta-lan-a-won — ki-na-hang-lan a-kong mo-li-tra-to!

    This view is breathtaking — I must take a photo!

    Usage

    An enthusiastic exclamation when encountering a stunning view

    Grammar Note

    "kinahanglan" expresses necessity or obligation in Cebuano, conveying a strong urge

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