gihigugma ba ko nimo
The Bisaya phrase for "do you love me" is gihigugma ba ko nimo.
Use this phrase to ask someone if they possess deep, romantic love for you. Because of the intensity of the verb used, it is a serious question about profound affection.
Meaning: do you love me? (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from gihigugma (loved), ba (a particle used to indicate a question), ko (I/me) and nimo (you/by you).
Which one should you use?
The verb gihigugma is much more intense and serious than ganahan (to like). If you wish to ask a more casual "Do you like me?", you should use Ganahan ba ka nako? instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb gihigugma is in the completed aspect, which in this context functions as the present tense "do you love".
Did you know?
- The word ba used here is a linguistic relative of the word va used in Malagasy, a language spoken on the island of Madagascar.
- Because gihigugma is so intense, using it in a casual dating context can sometimes feel overly poetic or even melodramatic to native speakers.
- The phrase gihigugma ba ko nimo uses a passive construction where you are the receiver of the love, rather than the other person being the active lover.
Examples in context
- Gihigugma ba ko nimo sa tinuod?Do you really love me?
- Gihigugma ba ko nimo hangtod sa kahangturan?Do you love me forever?
Example conversation
A couple is having a romantic moment in a park.
- JunMaria, gihigugma ba ko nimo?Maria, do you love me?
- MariaOo, Jun, gihigugma kaayo tika.Yes, Jun, I love you very much.
- JunSigurado ba ka?Are you sure?
- MariaSigurado gyud ko.I am definitely sure.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ba, ko, nimo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
