⬆️ Back to Contents

📘 What is VSO or VDR?

In Dusun, most natural sentences begin with a verb (kata kerja) or adjective (kata sifat), followed by the subject (doer) and then the object (recipient). This is known as VSO (Verb/adj–Subject–Object) or VDR (Verb/Adj–Doer–Recipient).

📌 Why is this important?

Unlike Malay or English (which use SVO – Subject–Verb–Object), Dusun sounds more natural and correct when the sentence begins with the action or description.

✅ Example 1: Action Sentence

English: I kick the ball (Saya tendang bola)
Dusun: Manandang oku buul
→ Verb: Manandang (kick)
→ Doer: oku (I)
→ Object: buul (ball)

✅ Example 2: Descriptive Sentence

English: That dog is fat (Anjing itu gemuk)
Dusun: Olombon ilo tasu
→ Adjective: Olombon (fat)
→ Subject: tasu (dog)

✅ Example 3: Descriptive Sentence 2

English: He is going to school (Dia pergi ke sekolah)
Dusun: Mongoi yau sikul
→ Verb: Mongoi (going)
→ Subject: yau (he)
→ Object/Place: sikul (school)

📌 When to use SVO?

While the natural structure of Dusun often follows the Verb–Subject–Object (VSO) or Verb–Doer–Recipient (VDR) pattern, it is also acceptable — especially in formal, written, or official contexts — to use the Subject–Verb–Object (SVO) order.

This structure typically begins with the subject followed by the linking phrase “nopo nga” to indicate identity or classification. For example:

➤ Yoho nopo nga dokutur → I am a doctor
➤ Yau nopo nga tanak ku → She is my daughter

🗣️ The sentences below are grammatically correct, but they sound formal and place emphasis on the doer rather than the action.

➤ Yoho manandang buul
➤ Yoho olombon
➤ Iya mongoi?

For action-focused expression, always begin with the verb and adjective.
➤ Manandang oku buul
➤ Olombon oku
➤ Mongoi ko?

Both structures are grammatically correct, but VSO is preferred in everyday conversation, while SVO is often used in official writing, introductions, or formal speech.