A particle is a word that does not fit into the conventional grammatical categories. It satisfies a grammatical function, but without an easily defined meaning.
Here are some Hiligaynon particles which provide helpful bits of information, and they make the Hiligaynon sentence sound more full and natural. Not using particles makes the language sound awkward and stilted. You can think of particles as the "spice" of the Hiligaynon sentence.
"Abi" expresses some thought which turns out wrong. "Abi ko may bana ka na." (I thought you were already married." "Abi niya Cebuano ka." (He/She thought you were a Cebuan.)
"Anay" denotes a state of temporariness. "Matulog anay ako." (I'll sleep for a while.) "Makaon anay ako." (I'll eat first.)
"Bala" when added to a statement becomes a yes/no question. "Nagkaon bala sila?" (Did they eat?) "Makadto kamo sa SM City, indi bala?" (You are going to SM City, aren't you?)
"Basi" expresses mild unpredictability. "Basi madiretso sia sa Barotac Nuevo." "He/she might go straight to Barotac Nuevo.) "Basi madaog ang kandidato naton." ( Our candidate might win.)
"Daw" states speculation of feeling and emotion. "Daw may hilanat ako." (It seems I have a fever.) "Daw indi ako makadto sa party mo." (It seems that I can't be able to come to your party.)
"Gali" denotes mild surprise at a new piece of information or unexpected turn of events or situation. "Madulom gali diri." (I didn't know that it's dark here.) "Nag-abot na gali si Leah." (I just learned that Leah already arrived.)
"Gani" expresses emphasis in some structures. It could mean "that's why." "Huo gani, kadulom diri." (Oh yes, it is dark here.) "Gani" is an equivalent of "please." It is a softener in a command statement.
"Kuno" indicates indirect quotation. "Katahum kuno sang Cotabato City." (Some said that Cotabato City is beautiful.)
"Lang" means "just" or "only." "Bag-o lang sia naggwa." (He/She has just gone out.) "Ini lang." (Just this.)
"Man" means "too" or "also." "Matuon man ako." (I'm also studying.) "Maayong gab-i man." Good evening, too.)
"Na" means "already" or "now." "May bana na si Lallyn." (Lallyn is already married.) "Makaon na kita." (Let's eat now.)
"Naman" verbalises a shift in viewpoint or role. "Ako naman." (It's my turn.) "Kamo naman ang masaot." (It's your turn to dance.)
"Pa" means "yet" or "still." Soltero pa si Alain. (Alain is still a bachelor.) "Wala pa mag-abot ang mga bisita." (The visitors have not arrived yet.)
"Ayhan" expresses uncertainty, indecision, or speculation. "San-o ayhan si Tatay makakwarta?" (When do you think Father will be able to have money?)
"Siguro" also expresses uncertainty, indecision, or consideration. "Siguro Hapon ang lolo mo." (Maybe, your grandfather is Japanese. "Iba na lang siguro ang kuwaon ko." (Maybe, I'll just get only another.)
The difference between "ayhan" and "siguro" is that the former is never placed at the beginning of a sentence while the latter can be placed either at the beginning or at the middle of the sentence.
"Tani" expresses hope. "Tani may email ako halin sa iya." ( I hope I have an email from him.)
I trust that it will serve nicely for everyday conversation and writing. I have spent hours with Hiligaynon speakers trying to get straight, logical answers concerning the strange behaviour of some of the particles, but I often just get blank stares and the "case by case" answer.
One thing that is nice about Hiligaynon is that it's not as "grammatically fussy" as English. If you happen to omit or make a mistake concerning particles, you won't sound as ridiculous or illiterate speaking this "broken Hiligaynon" as you would if you did the same thing in English. (That's not meant to be an excuse; it's just to assure you that it's OK to make mistakes along the way.)
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