Traveling to the Visayas or Mindanao regions of the Philippines? Whether you’re exploring Cebu, Bohol, or Davao, learning some basic Bisaya (Cebuano) phrases can greatly enhance your experience. Here’s a handy guide to 70 essential Bisaya (Cebuano) words and phrases translated from Cebuano to English that will help you communicate with locals, show respect for their culture, and navigate your way through daily interactions with ease.
Basic Cebuano Words and Phrases for Introductions and Greetings: with examples
1. “Maayong buntag!” = “Good morning!”
A greeting to start the day on a positive note.
Example: Maayong buntag sa tanan!
Translation: Good morning to everyone!
2. “Maayong hapon!” = “Good afternoon!”
A polite greeting for the afternoon.
Example: Maayong hapon, amigo!
Translation: Good afternoon, friend!
3. “Maayong gabii!” = “Good evening!”
A greeting used in the evening.
Example: Maayong gabii sa inyong tanan!
Translation: Good evening to all of you!
4. “Maayong adlaw!” = “Good day!”
A versatile greeting that can be used throughout the day.
Example: Maayong adlaw sa tanan!
Translation: Good day to everyone!
5. “Kumusta?” = “How are you?”
A friendly way to ask about someone’s well-being.
Example: Kumusta ka karon?
Translation: How are you today?
6. “Maayo ra / Okay ra” = “I’m fine”
Simple responses to let someone know you’re doing well.
Example: Kumusta ka? Maayo ra.
Translation: How are you? I’m fine.
7. “Unsa imong ngalan?” = “What’s your name?”
A useful question to ask when meeting someone new.
Example: Unsa imong ngalan?
Translation: What’s your name?
8. “Ako si <name>.” = “I’m <name>.”
A straightforward way to introduce yourself.
Example: Ako si Maria.
Translation: I’m Maria.
9. “Taga asa ka?” = “Where are you from?”
A common question to inquire about someone’s place of origin.
Example: Taga asa ka?
Translation: Where are you from?
10. “Kasabot ka?” = “Do you understand?”
Check to see if someone understands what you’re saying.
Example: Kasabot ka sa akong gisulti?
Translation: Do you understand what I’m saying?
11. “Kahibalo / Kabalo ka?” = “Do you know how?”
A phrase to ask if someone knows how to do something.
Example: Kahibalo ka unsaon pagluto ani?
Translation: Do you know how to cook this?
12. “Oo” = “Yes”
A simple affirmation.
Example: Moapil ka? Oo.
Translation: Are you joining? Yes.
13. “Dili / Wala” = “No / None”
A simple negation.
Example: Moapil ka? Dili
Translation: Are you joining? No.
14. “Kumusta imong adlaw?” = “How was your day?”
A friendly inquiry about someone’s day.
Example: Kumusta imong adlaw?
Translation: How was your day?
15. “Tagpila ka tuig na ka?” = “How old are you?”
Asking someone’s age.
Example: Tagpila ka tuig na ka?
Translation: How old are you?
16. “Naunsa man ka?” = “What’s wrong?”
Inquiring if someone seems upset or unwell.
Example: Naunsa man ka?
Translation: What’s wrong?
17. “Naay problema?” = “Is there a problem?”
Checking if there’s an issue.
Example: Naay problema diri?
Translation: Is there a problem here?
18. “Unsa imong trabaho?” = “What is your job?”
Asking about someone’s occupation.
Example: Unsa imong trabaho?
Translation: What is your job?
19. “Unsa imong lingaw?” = “What is your hobby?”
Asking about someone’s interests.
Example: Unsa imong lingaw?
Translation: What is your hobby?
20. “Naminyo na ka?” = “Are you married?”
Inquiring about someone’s marital status.
Example: Naminyo na ka?
Translation: Are you married?
Basic Cebuano Words for Social Etiquette: Cebuano to English Examples
21. “Amping! / Ayo-ayo!” = “Take care!”
Wishing someone well-being and safety.
Example: Amping sa imong biyahe!
Translation: Take care on your trip!
22. “Palihug” = “Please”
Used to make a polite request.
Example: Palihug ko ug hatag ana.
Translation: Please give me that.
23. “Salamat!” = “Thank you!”
A common expression of gratitude.
Example: Salamat sa imong tabang!
Translation: Thank you for your help!
24. “Walay sapayan! / Way sapayan!” = “You’re welcome!”
A polite response to someone thanking you.
Example: Salamat! Walay sapayan!
Translation: Thank you! You’re welcome!
25. “Kita ta puhon!” = “See you soon!”
A friendly farewell indicates you’ll see someone again soon.
Example: Kita ta puhon!
Translation: See you soon!
26. “Pasayloa ko!” = “I’m sorry!”
An apology.
Example: Pasayloa ko sa akong sayop.
Translation: I’m sorry for my mistake.
27. “Padayon!” = “Keep going!”
Encouragement to continue what one is doing.
Example: Padayon lang sa imong gibuhat.
Translation: Keep going with what you’re doing.
28. “Dasig lang!” = “Just believe! / Have faith!”
Words of encouragement to stay positive.
Example: Dasig lang ug dili ka mawad-an ug paglaom!
Translation: Just believe and don’t lose hope!
29. “Ikaw lay bahala!” = “It’s up to you!”
Leaving a decision to someone else.
Example: Ikaw lay bahala kung asa ta moadto.
Translation: It’s up to you where we go.
30. “Lingaw kaayo!” = “It’s so fun!”
Expressing that something is very enjoyable.
Example: Lingaw kaayo ang party kagabii!
Translation: The party last night was so fun!
Helpful Bisaya Words for Travel and Exploration: Cebuano to English Examples
31. “Unsaon?” = “How?”
Asking for the method or way to do something.
Example: Unsaon pag-abli ani?
Translation: How do I open this?
32. “Asa dapit?” = “Where exactly?”
A question to ask for specific directions.
Example: Asa dapit ang imong balay?
Translation: Where exactly is your house?
33. “Unsaon pag adto sa <place>?” = “How to go to <place>?”
Inquiring about directions to a specific place.
Example: Unsaon pag adto sa mall?
Translation: How do I go to the mall?
34. “Asa ko munaog?” = “Where should I get off?”
Asking where to alight from a vehicle.
Example: Asa ko munaog para sa downtown?
Translation: Where should I get off for downtown?
35. “Asa ni padulong?” = “Where is this going?”
Asking for the destination of a vehicle or route.
Example: Asa ni padulong nga jeep?
Translation: Where is this jeep going?
36. “Asa ka padung / Asa ka muadto?” = “Where are you going?”
Inquiring about someone’s destination.
Example: Asa ka padung karon?
Translation: Where are you going now?
37. “Para / Diri lang” = “I’ll get off / I’ll stop here”
Telling the driver where you want to stop.
Example: Para diri lang ko.
Translation: I’ll get off here.
38. “Muadto na ko / Muuna usa ko” = “I’ll get going” / “I’ll go ahead”
Informing others that you are leaving.
Example: Muadto na ko kay sayo pa ugma.
Translation: I’ll get going since it’s early tomorrow.
39. “Muuli na ko” = “I’m going home”
Letting others know you are heading home.
Example: Muuli na ko kay gabii na.
Translation: I’m going home since it’s already late.
40. “Tagpila ang pliti?” = “How much is the fare?”
Asking about the cost of transportation.
Example: Tagpila ang pliti padung sa city?
Translation: How much is the fare going to the city?
41. “Ambot / Wala ko kabalo!” = “I don’t know!”
Expressing that you do not have the information.
Example: Ambot kung asa siya karon.
Translation: I don’t know where he is now.
Useful Bisaya Words for Shopping and Buying: Cebuano to English Examples
42. “Ayo!” = “Hello!”
A greeting used when entering a shop or calling attention.
Example: Ayo, palit ko ug tubig.
Translation: Hello, I want to buy water.
43. “Kanus-a mangabli?” = “When will it open?”
Asking about the opening time of a store or service.
Example: Kanus-a mangabli ang tindahan?
Translation: When will the store open?
44. “Unsa ni? / Unsa na?” = “What’s this? / What’s that?”
Inquiring about an item.
Example: Unsa ni nga pagkaon?
Translation: What’s this food?
45. “Papalita ko / Mupalit ko” = “I’ll buy”
Indicating the intention to purchase something.
Example: Mupalit ko ug prutas.
Translation: I’ll buy some fruits.
46. “Tagpila?” = “How much?”
Asking for the price of an item.
Example: Tagpila ang kilo sa mangga?
Translation: How much is a kilo of mango?
47. “Pila tanan?” = “How much is the total bill?”
Asking for the total cost of all items.
Example: Pila tanan akong bayronon?
Translation: How much is the total bill I have to pay?
48. “Mubayad ko” = “I’ll pay”
Indicating that you will settle the bill.
Example: Mubayad ko sa akong utang.
Translation: I’ll pay my debt.
49. “Pwede muhangyo?” = “Can you give me a discount? / Can I ask for a favor?”
Asking for a discount or favor.
Example: Pwede muhangyo sa presyo?
Translation: Can you give me a discount on the price?
50. “Kuha lang” = “Just get it”
Telling someone to take or get something.
Example: Kuha lang ang imong gusto.
Translation: Just get what you want.
Handy Cebuano Words for Eating-Cebuano to English Examples
51. “Mangaon ta!” = “Let’s eat!”
An invitation to share a meal.
Example: Mangaon ta sa balay!
Translation: Let’s eat at home!
52. “Mag-ampo ta!” = “Let’s pray!”
Suggesting to pray before a meal.
Example: Mag-ampo ta sa wala pa kaon.
Translation: Let’s pray before eating.
53. “Gutom na ko!” = “I’m already hungry!”
Expressing hunger.
Example: Gutom na ko, kaon ta!
Translation: I’m already hungry, let’s eat!
54. “Gusto na ko mukaon!” = “I want to eat!”
Indicating a desire to eat.
Example: Gusto na ko mukaon ug pizza.
Translation: I want to eat pizza.
55. “Kalami / Lami!” = “Delicious!”
Complimenting the taste of food.
Example: Lami kaayo ang pagkaon diri!
Translation: The food here is so delicious!
56. “Kaon pa!” = “Eat more!”
Encouraging someone to eat more.
Example: Kaon pa kay daghan pa kaayo!
Translation: Eat more, since there’s still a lot!
57. “Busog na ko!” = “I’m already full!”
Expressing that you are full.
Example: Salamat, pero busog na ko.
Translation: Thank you, but I’m already full.
58. “Dili na ko!” = “I don’t want anymore”
Indicating that you do not want more food.
Example: Dili na ko, salamat.
Translation: I don’t want anymore, thank you.
59. “Wala na koy gana” = “I lost appetite / interest”
Expressing loss of appetite or interest.
Example: Wala na koy gana mukaon.
Translation: I lost appetite to eat.
60. “Asa ko mulingkod?” = “Where do I sit?”
Asking for a place to sit.
Example: Asa ko mulingkod sa inyong balay?
Translation: Where do I sit in your house?
Other Useful Cebuano words and Phrases
61. “Pangutana” = “Question”
Inquire or ask about something. A common term used in conversations to seek information or clarification.
Example: Aduna kay pangutana?
Translation: Do you have a question?
62. “Kalipay” = “Happiness”
Joy or contentment. It signifies a positive emotional state and is often used to describe the feeling of happiness or satisfaction.
Example: Ang kalipay sa akong pamilya importante kaayo.
Translation: The happiness of my family is very important.
63. “Balay” = “House”
A building or structure where people live. It can also refer to a home.
Example: Asa dapit ang imong balay?
Translation: Where exactly is your house?
64. “Lingaw” = “Fun”
An enjoyable or amusing activity. Often used to express the enjoyment of an event or activity.
Example: Lingaw kaayo ang atong picnic!
Translation: Our picnic was very fun!
65. “Pagkaon” = “Food”
Any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body, including meals and snacks.
Example: Asa ta mukaon ug lami nga pagkaon?
Translation: Where can we eat delicious food?
66. “Libot” = “Around”
A movement in a circular path or roaming around in a particular area.
Example: Mag-libot-libot ta sa syudad karon.
Translation: Let’s go around the city today.
67. “Adto” = “Go”
A movement from one place to another.
Example: Moadto ko sa tindahan.
Translation: I will go to the store.
68. “Kauban” = “Companion”
Someone who accompanies or is with another person.
Example: Kinsa imong kauban sa biyahe?
Translation: Who is your companion on the trip?
69. “Kusog” = “Strong”
Physical strength, intensity, or force.
Example: Kusog kaayo ang hangin kagabii.
Translation: The wind was very strong last night.
70. “Basa” = “Wet”
A state of being covered or saturated with water or another liquid. Used to describe objects or surfaces that have been soaked.
Example: Ayaw paglumba kay basa ang kalsada.
Translation: Don’t run because the road is wet.
Learning these Cebuano / Bisaya words and phrases can make your travel experience more enriching and enjoyable. Not only will you be able to communicate more effectively, but you’ll also be able to connect more deeply with the locals and their culture.
So, now that you’ve learned Cebuano / Bisaya words and phrases, why not try picking up some Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Bicolano, Chavacano, or Waray words as well? This will greatly facilitate your travels to various parts of the Philippines, making communication easier and enriching your cultural experience across different regions.
Are you still not confident in Tagalog? Don’t worry! Here’s our comprehensive Tagalog guide to help you navigate other parts of Luzon effortlessly. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities or serene countryside, this guide will ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable journey.
