Hyphens and dashes are used differently. Hyphens are shorter and are used to divide words at line breaks or join word parts into single words. Dashes are longer and set off parts of sentences to emphasize them. A hyphen can change a word's meaning, like "habal-habal," while a dash is meaningless to a word. Rules for Cebuano writing specify using a hyphen for repeated words emphasizing repetition or similarity but not for root words, with some exceptions. Hyphens are also used to combine words replacing a missing term.

1. Using A HYPHEN
Lapu-lapu o Lapulapu?

2. General Rule
 A HYPHEN is different from a DASH
 Hyphen is – (shorter),a Dash is –
(longer)
 Primary purposes of a Hyphen:
 To divide words that split at the end of a
line.
 To join word parts into a single word.

3. General Rule
 A DASH is longer since it indicates a
break or an interruption in the
thought
 Dashes are used to set off part of a
sentence and tend to emphasize the set-
off text.

4. General Rule
 A DASH is meaningless to a word
while a HYPHEN changes the meaning
of a word.
 Ehemplo:
habalhabal (noun)
habal-habal (verb)

5. Hyphen Rule for
Cebuano Writing
 Rule 6-a : Use a hyphen in repeated
words that are intended to emphasize
repetition of action; to show
similarities or likeness.
 Ehemplo:
lukso-lukso
itom-itom
kaon-kaon, habal-habal

6. Hyphen Rule for
Cebuano Writing
 Rule 6-b : Don’t use a hyphen in
repeated words that are considered
rootwords and can not stand if not
repeated.
 Ehemplo:
taudtaod
hunahuna
bukubuko

7. Hyphen Rule for
Cebuano Writing
 Rule 6-b : Don’t use a hyphen in
repeated words that are considered
rootwords and can not stand if not
repeated.
 Exception: Use a hyphen when it has
another meaning.
Lainlain (different) Lain-lain (set aside)
Lapulapu (a hero) Lapu-lapu (fish)

8. Hyphen Rule for
Cebuano Writing
 Rule 6-k : Don’t use a hyphen when
the repeated word is used as a proper
noun.
Lapulapu kasingkasing habalhabal

9. Hyphen Rule for
Cebuano Writing
 Rule 5-b : Don’t use a hyphen when a
repeated word is a rootword.
Lumlom pukpok hunghong
gulgol sumsom sungsong
luglog hushos tuktok

10. Hyphen Rule for
Cebuano Writing
 Combined words : Each of the
combined words are of different
meaning and the hyphen replaces a
missing word.
gipusil-patay
balay-lungsod
batakan-balaod