Bisaya Phrase of the Day
Maayong buntag
Good morning
Pronunciation: ma-A-yong BUN-tag
In context
Maayong buntag, amigo!
Good morning, friend!
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Cebuano grammar made practical
Understand the patterns behind useful Bisaya sentences through clear explanations, examples and short practice, not rule memorisation alone.
Pronouns
Personal Pronouns
Cebuano pronouns change depending on who is doing the action. "Ako" means "I", "ikaw" means "you", "siya" means "he/she". There are also inclusive and exclusive "we" forms — "kita" includes the listener, "kami" does not.
Open guideMarkers
Personal-name marker "si"
The word "si" comes before a person's name to mark it as the subject. It's like saying "the person named..." You use it before first names only, not before full names or titles.
Open guideMarkers
Topic marker "ang"
"Ang" marks the topic or focus of the sentence — the thing you are talking about. It's similar to "the" in English but it specifically highlights the main subject. It comes before nouns, not names (use "si" for names).
Open guideLinkers
Common uses of "ug"
"Ug" is one of the most common words in Cebuano. It mainly means "and" to connect words. It can also act as an object marker after verbs like "gusto" (want) or "palihog" (please give).
Open guideQuestions
Question Words
Cebuano question words are straightforward: "unsa" = what, "kinsa" = who, "asa" = where, "kanus-a" = when, "ngano" = why, "unsaon" = how. Place them at the start of the question.
Open guideQuestions
Yes and No Questions
To ask a yes/no question, just say the statement with a rising tone. "Oo" means yes, "dili" means no. You can also use "wala" for "none" or "not yet".
Open guideWord order
Basic Cebuano Word Order
Cebuano word order is flexible, but the most common pattern is Verb-Subject-Object or Subject-Predicate. The topic marker "ang" helps identify what the sentence is about. Short and simple is best for beginners.
Open guidePossession
Possession: ako, imo, and related forms
Possessive words come before the noun. "Akong" = my, "imong" = your, "iyang" = his/her. The shorter forms "ako", "imo", "iya" are used when the noun is already known from context.
Open guideMarkers
Plural marker "mga"
To make a noun plural, put "mga" (pronounced "muh-NGAH") before it. "Mga bata" = children, "mga libro" = books. Not all nouns need it — context often makes plurality clear.
Open guideNegation
Basic negation with "dili"
"Dili" means "no" or "not". It negates statements: "Dili ko ganahan" = "I don't like it". It comes before the verb or the word it negates.
Open guideNegation
Absence and non-existence with "wala"
"Wala" means "none", "not here", or "don't have". Use it for absence rather than "dili". "Wala ko'y kwarta" = "I don't have money". "Wala pa" means "not yet".
Open guideOverview
Adjectives and Descriptive Phrases
Adjectives usually come after the noun in Cebuano. "Dako ang balay" = "The house is big". You can also say "ang dako nga balay" = "the big house" using the linker "nga".
Open guideLinkers
The linker "nga"
"Nga" connects words that describe each other — like an adjective to a noun. "Dako nga balay" = "big house". After a word ending in a vowel, "-ng" can replace "nga": "dako nga balay" = "dakong balay".
Open guideIntensifiers
Intensifiers: kaayo
"Kaayo" means "very". Put it after the adjective: "Lami kaayo" = "very delicious". It's the most common way to intensify a description.
Open guideNumbers
Numbers and Quantity
Cebuano numbers: usa (1), duha (2), tulo (3), upat (4), lima (5), unom (6), pito (7), walo (8), siyam (9), napulo (10). For quantities, use "ka" after the number: "duha ka libro" = "two books".
Open guideTime
Time Expressions
Common time words: "buntag" = morning, "udto" = noon, "hapon" = afternoon, "gabii" = evening/night. "Karon" = today, "ugma" = tomorrow, "gahapon" = yesterday.
Open guidePoliteness
Polite Requests
"Palihog" means "please" and makes any request polite. Add it at the start or end. "Salamat" (thank you) and "walay sapayan" (you're welcome) complete the polite exchange.
Open guideRegional
Common Regional Variations
Cebuano varies across regions. In Cebu City, "kumusta" is common for "how are you". Some areas say "kumustari" or use slightly different word forms. The core grammar stays the same — don't worry too much about regional differences as a beginner.
Open guideRegional
Natural Spoken Forms vs Formal Textbook Forms
Everyday spoken Cebuano often shortens words and drops syllables. "Ako" might sound like "ak" in fast speech. Textbook forms are correct but can sound stiff. Learn the formal form first, then pick up natural shortcuts from listening.
Open guidePronouns
Ako, ikaw, siya, kami, kita, kamo, sila
Here are all the personal pronouns together: ako (I), ikaw (you, singular), siya (he/she), kami (we, excluding you), kita (we, including you), kamo (you, plural), sila (they). Practise these — they appear in almost every sentence.
Open guideKeep learning Cebuano
Grammar makes more sense when you see it inside real phrases and conversations. Explore these next.