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Useful Cebuano phrases

Learn practical Cebuano expressions with meanings, pronunciation and examples for greetings, family, travel and everyday conversation.

Three Bisaya phrases to try today

You can start speaking Cebuano immediately. Say these phrases aloud, then explore the full searchable phrase collection below.

Maayong buntag!

Good morning

Use this greeting in the morning.

Kumusta ka?

How are you?

Ask a friend how they are doing.

Salamat kaayo!

Thank you very much

Thank someone who has helped you.

Practise these in a free beginner lesson

Phrases you can use

1,300 matching phrases

Abli ba mo?

phrase

Are you open?

abli ba mo

Abli ba mo ugma bisan holiday?

Are you open tomorrow even if it's a holiday?

Full entry

abli nga bintana

phrase

open window

AH-blee nga been-TAH-nah

Abli nga bintana ang among bantayan.

We have an open window.

Full entry

abot na

phrase

arrived already

AH-bot nah

Abot na siya.

He has arrived.

Full entry

abot na ko

phrase

I have arrived

AH-bot nah koh

Abot na ko sa Cebu.

I have arrived in Cebu.

Full entry

abtik ang serbisyu

phrase

fast service

ab-TEEK ahng ser-BEE-shoo

Abtik ang serbisyu dinhi.

The service here is fast.

Full entry

account name

noun

account name

ah-KOUNT neym

Unsa ang account name?

What is the account name?

Full entry

account number

noun

account number

ah-KOUNT NAM-ber

Unsa ang account number?

What is the account number?

Full entry

ACR I-Card

noun

ACR I-Card (alien certificate)

ey-see-ar EYE-kard

Ang ACR I-Card sa immigration.

The ACR I-Card at immigration.

Full entry

adto na

phrase

going now

AHD-toh nah

Adto na ko.

I'm going now.

Full entry

adto sa

phrase

go to

AHD-toh sa

Adto sa among baryo.

Go to our village.

Full entry

adto sa sine

phrase

go to the cinema

AHD-toh sa SEE-neh

Adto sa sine sa mall.

Go to the cinema at the mall.

Full entry

adto sa Sinulog

phrase

go to Sinulog

AHD-toh sa see-NOO-log

Adto sa Sinulog mi sa enero.

We go to Sinulog in January.

Full entry

adto ta

phrase

let's go

AHD-toh tah

Adto ta sa baybayon.

Let's go to the beach.

Full entry

adto ta sa sine

phrase

let's go to the cinema

AHD-toh tah sa SEH-neh

Adto ta sa sine sa hapon.

Let's go to the cinema in the afternoon.

Full entry

aircon bus

noun

air-conditioned bus

AIR-con bus

Sakay sa aircon bus.

Ride the aircon bus.

Full entry

ako bahala

phrase

I’ll handle it

ah-KOH bah-HAH-lah

Ako bahala sa bayad.

I’ll handle the payment.

Full entry

ako ni

phrase

this is me

ah-KOH nee

Ako ni, kumusta ka?

This is me, how are you?

Full entry

ako ni si

phrase

this is

ah-KOH nee see

Ako ni si Juan, kumusta ka?

This is Juan, how are you?

Full entry

akong opinyon

phrase

my opinion

ah-KONG oh-PEEN-yon

Akong opinyon, mao na gyud.

My opinion, that’s it indeed.

Full entry

akong plano

phrase

my plan

ah-KONG plah-NOH

Akong plano, moadto ko sa Cebu.

My plan is to go to Cebu.

Full entry

akong tambag

phrase

my advice

ah-KONG tam-BAHG

Akong tambag, moadto ka sa doktor.

My advice, go to the doctor.

Full entry

aksidente sa dalan

phrase

road accident

ak-see-DEN-teh sa DAH-lan

Aksidente sa dalan ang among nakita.

We saw a road accident.

Full entry

aksidente sa sakyanan

phrase

vehicle accident

ak-see-DEN-teh sa sah-KYAH-nan

Aksidente sa sakyanan ang nahitabo.

A vehicle accident happened.

Full entry

Alang sa

phrase

For / on behalf of

a-LANG sa

Alang sa tanan.

For everyone.

Full entry

Alerdyik ko sa mani.

phrase

I am allergic to peanuts.

alerdyik ko sa mani

Alerdyik ko sa mani, dili ko pwede mokaon ana.

I am allergic to peanuts, I cannot eat that.

Full entry

ambot lang

phrase

I just don’t know

ahm-BOT lahng

Ambot lang, dili ko sigurado.

I just don't know, I'm not sure.

Full entry

ambot ngano

phrase

I don’t know why

am-BOT ngah-NOH

Ambot ngano wala siya moabot.

I don’t know why he didn’t arrive.

Full entry

ambot nimo

phrase

up to you / who knows with you

ahm-BOT nee-MOH

Ambot nimo, ikaw bahala.

Up to you, you decide.

Full entry

ambot sa imo

phrase

up to you / whatever

ahm-BOT sah ee-MOH

Ambot sa imo, ikaw bahala.

Whatever, you decide.

Full entry

ampo ko

phrase

I pray

am-POH koh

Ampo ko sa pamilya.

I pray for the family.

Full entry

ampo sa namatay

phrase

prayer for the deceased

am-POH sa nah-mah-TAY

Ang ampo sa namatay sa simbahan.

The prayer for the deceased at the church.

Full entry

anak nga babaye

phrase

daughter

AH-nak ngah bah-BAH-yeh

Ang anak nga babaye kay gwapa.

The daughter is pretty.

Full entry

anak nga lalaki

phrase

son

AH-nak ngah lah-lah-KEE

Ang anak nga lalaki kay dako na.

The son is big now.

Full entry

andam na ko

phrase

I'm ready

AHN-dam nah koh

Andam na ko, lakaw na ta.

I'm ready, let's go.

Full entry

Ang bayranan, palihog.

phrase

The bill, please.

ang bayranan, palihog

Ang bayranan, palihog, kay duna pa koy adtoan.

The bill, please, because I still have somewhere to go.

Full entry

Ang dili kahibalo molingi sa gigikanan, dili makaabot sa padulngan.

phrase

One who does not look back at where they came from will not reach their destination.

ang TA-o nga di-LI LU-ming-i

Ang tao nga dili lumingi sa gigikanan, dili makaabot sa padulngan.

One who doesn't look back to where they came from won't reach their destination.

Full entry

Ang... nga

phrase

The one who...

ang... nga

Ang bata nga nidula.

The child who played.

Full entry

apan ang

phrase

but the

ah-PAN ang

Apan ang tinuod, mao na.

But the truth is, that’s it.

Full entry

apohan nga babaye

phrase

grandmother

ah-POH-han ngah bah-BAH-yeh

Ang apohan nga babaye naglakaw pa.

Grandmother can still walk.

Full entry

apohan nga lalaki

phrase

grandfather

ah-POH-han ngah lah-lah-KEE

Ang apohan nga lalaki kay mabuot.

Grandfather is kind.

Full entry

ari ka

phrase

come here

AH-ree kah

Ari ka sa balay.

Come here to the house.

Full entry

Ari ra ko.

phrase

I am just here.

a-ri ra ko

Ari ra ko, wala ko moadto.

I am just here; I did not go.

Full entry

ari sa

phrase

come to

AH-ree sa

Ari sa among balay.

Come to our house.

Full entry

aron dili

phrase

so that not

AH-ron dee-LEE

Aron dili ko moari, naa ko sa trabaho.

So that I won’t come, I am at work.

Full entry

aron nga

conjunction

so that

AH-ron ngah

Aron nga dili ko moari, naa ko sa trabaho.

So that I won’t come, I am at work.

Full entry

arrival area

noun

arrival area

ah-RAH-val AIR-ee-ah

Ang arrival area sa airport.

The arrival area at the airport.

Full entry

asa ang

phrase

where is

AH-sah ang

Asa ang CR?

Where is the toilet?

Full entry

Asa ang CR?

phrase

Where is the toilet?

asa ang cr

Asa ang CR dinhi?

Where is the toilet here?

Full entry

Asa ang pantalan?

phrase

Where is the port?

asa ang pantalan

Asa ang pantalan? Moadto ko sa Bohol.

Where is the port? I am going to Bohol.

Full entry

Asa ang pinakaduol nga botika?

phrase

Where is the nearest pharmacy?

asa ang pinakaduol nga botika

Pasayloa, asa ang pinakaduol nga botika?

Excuse me, where is the nearest pharmacy?

Full entry

Asa ang pinakaduol nga klinika?

phrase

Where is the nearest clinic?

asa ang pinakaduol nga klinika

Asa ang pinakaduol nga klinika? Naay emergency diri.

Where is the nearest clinic? There is an emergency here.

Full entry

Asa ang saksakan?

phrase

Where is the power socket?

asa ang saksakan

Asa ang saksakan? Gusto nako i-charge ang akong laptop.

Where is the power socket? I want to charge my laptop.

Full entry

Asa ang terminal?

phrase

Where is the terminal?

A-sa ang TER-mi-nal

Asa ang terminal, manong?

Where is the terminal, sir?

Full entry

asa dapit

phrase

which area

AH-sah DAH-pit

Asa dapit ang among balay?

Which area is our house?

Full entry

asa dapit na?

phrase

which place exactly?

AH-sah dah-PEET nah

Asa dapit na nga eskwelahan?

Which place exactly is the school?

Full entry

asa ka nag-iskwela?

phrase

where do you study?

AH-sah kah nahg-eess-KWEH-lah

Asa ka nag-iskwela karon?

Where do you study now?

Full entry

Asa ka nagpuyo?

phrase

Where do you live?

a-SA ka nag-PU-yo

Asa ka nagpuyo karon?

Where do you live now?

Full entry

Asa ka padulong?

phrase

Where are you going?

A-sa ka pa-DU-long

Asa ka padulong karon?

Where are you going now?

Full entry

asa ko makapalit

phrase

where can I buy

AH-sah koh mah-kah-pah-LEET

Asa ko makapalit ug load?

Where can I buy load?

Full entry

asa ko makapangita

phrase

where can I find

AH-sah koh mah-kah-pang-NEE-tah

Asa ko makapangita ug trabaho?

Where can I find a job?

Full entry

asa ko moadto

phrase

where do I go

AH-sah koh mo-AHD-toh

Asa ko moadto sa immigration?

Where do I go for immigration?

Full entry

Asa ko mosakay og dyip?

phrase

Where do I catch a jeepney?

asa ko mosakay og dyip

Asa ko mosakay og dyip? Padulong ni sa Colon?

Where do I catch a jeepney? Is this going to Colon?

Full entry

asa man

phrase

where then

AH-sah man

Asa man ka moadto?

Where then will you go?

Full entry

Asa nga

phrase

Where (place)

A-sa nga

Asa nga dapit?

Which place?

Full entry

asa sakit

phrase

where is the pain

AH-sah SAH-keet

Asa sakit sa imong lawas?

Where is the pain in your body?

Full entry

asay dalan

phrase

which way

AH-say DAH-lan

Asay dalan sa baybayon?

Which way to the beach?

Full entry

atbang sa

phrase

opposite

aht-BAHNG sa

Atbang sa simbahan.

Opposite the church.

Full entry

atubangan sa

phrase

in front of

ah-TOO-bah-gan sa

Atubangan sa simbahan.

In front of the church.

Full entry

atubangan sa balay

phrase

in front of the house

ah-TOO-bah-gan sa BAH-lay

Naa siya atubangan sa balay.

He is in front of the house.

Full entry

away sila

phrase

they fight

ah-WAY see-LAH

Away sila sa gamay nga butang.

They fight over small things.

Full entry

ay dili

phrase

oh no

ay dee-LEE

Ay dili, dili ko moari.

Oh no, I won’t come.

Full entry

ay sige

phrase

oh okay

ay SEE-geh

Ay sige, sige lang.

Oh okay, fine.

Full entry

ay wala

phrase

oh nothing

ay wah-LAH

Ay wala, wala koy gibuhat.

Oh nothing, I did nothing.

Full entry

ayaw kabalaka

phrase

don't worry

AH-yaw kah-BAH-lah-kah

Ayaw kabalaka, maayo na.

Don't worry, it's fine now.

Full entry

ayaw kahadlok

phrase

don't be afraid

AH-yow kah-HAH-lok

Ayaw kahadlok, ara ko.

Don't be afraid, I'm here.

Full entry

ayaw kalimot

phrase

don't forget

AH-yow kah-LEE-mot

Ayaw kalimot sa bayad.

Don't forget to pay.

Full entry

ayaw pag

phrase

don't

AH-yaw pag

Ayaw pag moadto.

Don't go.

Full entry

ayaw pag-adto

phrase

don't go

AH-yow pahg-AHD-toh

Ayaw pag-adto karon.

Don't go now.

Full entry

ayaw pag-away

phrase

don't fight

AH-yaw pag-ah-WAY

Ayaw pag-away, sige lang.

Don't fight, it's fine.

Full entry

ayaw pag-ayo

phrase

don't fix

AH-yaw pag-ah-YOH

Ayaw pag-ayo sa siradong butang.

Don't fix the broken thing.

Full entry

ayaw pag-sulti

phrase

don't speak

AH-yow pahg-SOOL-tee

Ayaw pag-sulti og saba.

Don't speak loudly.

Full entry

ayaw pagdali

phrase

don't rush

AH-yow pahg-DAH-lee

Ayaw pagdali, hinaya lang.

Don't rush, slow down.

Full entry

ayaw pagsurender

phrase

don't give up

AH-yaw pag-soo-REN-der

Ayaw pagsurender, kaya ra.

Don't give up, you can.

Full entry

Ayo-ayo

phrase

Take care (farewell)

AH-yoh AH-yoh

Ayo-ayo sa imong pagbiya.

Take care on your departure.

Full entry

bag-o ang sinina

phrase

new clothes

BAH-oh ang see-NEE-nah

Bag-o ang sinina sa bata.

The child has new clothes.

Full entry

bag-o pa

phrase

just recent

BAH-oh pah

Bag-o pa ang sakit.

The pain is just recent.

Full entry

bag-o pa ko dinhi

phrase

I'm new here

BAH-oh pah koh deen-HEE

Bag-o pa ko dinhi sa Cebu.

I'm new here in Cebu.

Full entry

bag-ong tuig

phrase

new year

bag-OHNG too-eeg

Bag-ong tuig sa Enero.

New year in January.

Full entry

Baga ang kasingkasing

phrase

Brave-hearted / courageous

BA-ga ang ka-SING-ka-sing

Baga ang kasingkasing niya.

He is brave-hearted.

Full entry

baggage claim

noun

baggage claim

BAG-eyj kleyim

Ang baggage claim sa airport.

The baggage claim at the airport.

Full entry

balaan nga pamilya

phrase

holy family

bah-LAH-an ngah pah-MEEL-yah

Balaan nga pamilya ang among giampo.

We pray to the holy family.

Full entry

Balaang Kasulatan

noun

Bible

bah-LAH-ang kah-soo-LAH-tan

Balaang Kasulatan sa simbahan.

Bible at the church.

Full entry

balaod sa gobyerno

phrase

government law

bah-LAH-od sa gob-YER-noh

Ang balaod sa gobyerno sa Pilipinas.

The government law of the Philippines.

Full entry

balay nga abangan

phrase

house for rent

BAH-lay ngah ah-BAHNG-an

Balay nga abangan ang among gipangita.

A house for rent is what we looked for.

Full entry

balay nga puy-anan

phrase

residence

BAH-lay ngah poo-YAH-nan

Balay nga puy-anan ang among gipangita.

A residence is what we looked for.

Full entry

balay sa pamilya

phrase

family home

BAH-lay sa pah-MEEL-yah

Balay sa pamilya ang among balay.

Our house is the family home.

Full entry

balhin sa lain

phrase

change to another

bal-HEEN sa lah-EEN

Balhin sa lain nga istorya.

Change to another topic.

Full entry

balhin ta

phrase

let's change

bal-HEEN tah

Balhin ta sa lain nga istorya.

Let's change to another topic.

Full entry

balhin ta sa lain

phrase

let's change to another

bal-HEEN tah sa lah-EEN

Balhin ta sa lain nga istorya.

Let's change to another topic.

Full entry

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Bisaya Phrase of the Day

Gamay ra

A little

Pronunciation: ga-MAI ra

In context

Kasabot ko gamay.

I understand a little.

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