Family words carry relationship, not just translation
English often settles for “brother” or “sister”. Cebuano commonly distinguishes an older sibling from a younger one with maguwang and manghod, so the relationship is built into the word itself.
Family, partners & everyday life
Bisaya Family & Relationship Vocabulary
Family talk comes up quickly in Cebuano conversation. Learn the words people use for parents, siblings, partners, in-laws and children, then see how those words sound inside the questions and replies you are likely to hear around the table.
Core family words
These are the words you will hear when people introduce relatives, talk about home life or explain who someone is.
pamilya
family
Meaning & audiomama / inahan
mum / mother
Meaning & audiopapa / amahan
dad / father
Meaning & audioginikanan
parents
Meaning & audioanak
child / son / daughter
Meaning & audiomga anak
children
Meaning & audioigsoon
sibling
Meaning & audiomanghod
younger sibling
Meaning & audiomaguwang
older sibling
Meaning & audiolola
grandmother
Meaning & audiololo
grandfather
Meaning & audiotiya
aunt
Meaning & audiotiyo
uncle
Meaning & audioig-agaw
cousin
Meaning & audioapo
grandchild
Meaning & audioPartners, in-laws and close relationships
Relationship words can be context-sensitive, so learn them together with the person and situation they describe.
bana
husband
asawa
wife / spouse
uyab
boyfriend / girlfriend / partner
minyo
married
single
single
bayaw
brother-in-law / male in-law relation depending on context
hipag
sister-in-law / female in-law relation depending on context
ugangan
parent-in-law
amiga
female friend
amigo
male friend
silingan
neighbour
Family phrases you can use immediately
The fastest way to remember relationship vocabulary is to use it in complete, natural exchanges.
Kumusta imong pamilya?
How is your family?
Maayo ra sila.
They are fine.
Pila imong mga anak?
How many children do you have?
Duha akong anak.
I have two children.
Kinsa imong kauban?
Who are you with?
Akong asawa.
My wife / spouse.
Akong bana.
My husband.
Akong manghod.
My younger sibling.
Akong maguwang.
My older sibling.
Nalipay ko nga nakaila sa imong pamilya.
I’m happy to meet your family.
Salamat sa pagdawat nako.
Thank you for welcoming me.
Amping mo tanan.
Take care, everyone.
Cultural insight
Family vocabulary makes more sense when you learn the relationship behind it.
Possessive forms matter immediately
A family word becomes much more useful once you can say whose person you mean. Akong mama, imong igsoon and iyang asawa are the kinds of chunks that come up naturally when people introduce relatives or explain who someone is.
Respect is often shown through tone and behaviour
Respect is not hidden inside one magic polite word. A warm greeting, listening properly, using names naturally and showing genuine interest in relatives often matters more than trying to sound formally perfect.
Ask about someone’s family
Use kinsa, pila and other question words to turn family vocabulary into conversation.
Question wordsSound more natural
Particles such as man, gyud and ra often appear in warm, everyday family speech.
Particles guidePractise family conversations
See how relationship language behaves inside complete, realistic conversations.
Try a storyWant to join the conversation instead of just smiling along?
Learn the family words first, then practise greetings, questions and the phrases that help you take part naturally.