Cebuano Language - Grammar - Interrogative Words - The Use of asa, diin and hain

The Use of asa, diin and hain

Asa, diin and hain—both mean where—have distinct uses in formal Cebuano usage.

Asa - is used when asking about a place.

• • Asa ka padulong? - Where are you going?
  • Asa ta molarga? - Where are we traveling to?

Hain is used when asking about a person or thing.

• • Hain na ang gunting? - Where is the pair of scissors?
  • Hain na ang papel? - Where is the paper?

Diin is used when asking a person where is he/she came from, and also asking the origin of an object.

• • Diin ka gikan? - Where did you come from?
  • Diin ka anang kalo? - Where did you get that cap?

In spoken Cebuano in Metro Cebu, however, asa is commonly used to replace hain. Some use hain, especially by Southern Cebu, Negros, and Mindanao Cebuano speakers.