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- “Maayong adlaw!” = “Good day!” You say “Maayong adlaw!” as a general greeting. If you want to be more specific, here’s what to say depending on the time of the day
- “Kumusta?” = “How are you?” This is what you ask if you want to check in on someone.
- “Maayo ra / Okay ra” = “I’m fine” This is your reply to “Kumusta?”. If you’re not really fine, you can say “Dili maayo” or “Dili ko okay”.
- “Unsa imong ngalan?” = “What’s your name?” This is how you ask someone’s name in Bisaya.
- “Amping!”
- “Mangaon Ta!”
- “Puhon”
- “Dasig”
- “Simbako!”
- “Choya”
- “Padayon”
- “Pahiyom”
- “Dilaab”
- “Lulinghayaw”
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Amping means ‘stay safe!’ We usually use this when saying goodbye to someone or when we need to separate ways with our friends and loved ones. Uttering this expression means we want them to arrive at their destinations safe and sound. “Thank you for today. Sa sunod na sad ha. Amping!” (“Thank you for today. Until next time. Take care!”)
With the wide range of food options available in the region, no doubt eating has been the pastime of the majority of Cebuanos. As a sign of generosity, we say “Mangaon ta!” to invite people to come and share our meal with them. “Gigutom kayo ko. Ali, mangaon ta!” (“I am so hungry. Come here, let’s eat!”)
This word means “God-willing or hopefully”. Cebuanos are generally hopeful and optimistic, hence, “puhon” is expressed when you are hoping something will happen in the future. “Maka-uyab na unta ko, puhon.” (“I hope I can finally get a lover, God-willing.”)
“Dasig”, often used as “Dasig Lang”, is a Cebuano word that means ‘take courage, hold on, never give up.’ “Bisa’g unsa pa kalisod sa panahon karon, dasig lang jud ta.” (“No matter how difficult our situation is now, let’s hold on / never give up.”)
Opposite of ‘puhon’, the expression ‘Simbako!’ is used when we don’t want bad things or events to happen in the future. It is translated to “God forbid” or “knock on wood.” “Simbako ug unsa unyay mahitabo sa imo…” (“God forbid something unfortunate will happen to you…”)
This term is derived from the word ‘tisoy/choy’ which refers to a man who looks handsome, grooms himself well. Aside from referring to a good-looking man, we also often use “choya” to describe something awesome. “Choya sa imong sakyanan bai.” (“Your car looks awesome, dude.”)
Padayon means ‘to continue.’ This word best describes the Cebuanos’ spirit of resilience and positivity. Regardless of how challenging the situation is, we always find a reason to move forward. “Maabot ra lagi ta sa didto puhon. Padayon lang.” “We’ll get there, God-willing. Just continue.”
Pahiyom means ‘smile’. Regardless of who the person is that we’re talking to, Cebuanos are always ready to flash a smile and treat everyone with utmost hospitality. “Mas nigwapa ka tungod sa imong pahiyom.” (“You become prettier because of your smile.”)
Dilaab means a strong flame that burns brightly. This one’s a beautiful word from our local dialect as it resembles the strong religious faith of the Cebuanos. Cebu is the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines and it’s the strong faith that keeps the values of Christianity alive and blazing for almost half a millennium now. “Ang dilaab sa atong...
Given that Cebu houses plenty of tourist destinations, ‘lulinghayaw’ can be used frequently. It means “time available for ease and relaxation or the act of taking a vacation.” Using this word will not let you go out of context since we have a lot of beaches, mountain peaks, local delicacies, and world-class accommodation available in the region – e...
Learn some of the Cebuano words and phrases that express the charm, culture, and hospitality of Cebu. From amping to hudyaka, discover the meanings and examples of these lovely expressions.
Jan 29, 2023 · Learn some basic Cebuano or Bisaya words to communicate with locals in Cebu and nearby areas. Find out how to greet, address, dine, get around, and deal with vendors in this language.
Learn how to say hello, thank you, goodbye and other common expressions in Cebuano, a Philippine language spoken in Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao. Find audio recordings, corrections and links to more Cebuano phrases and resources.
Dictionary (45447 entries) Binisaya to English English to Binisaya Sense. Word: Tweet. Balayan alang sa mga Bisaya ug mga mahigugmaon sa pinulongang Binisaya. Homepage for the Visayan people and lovers of the Cebuano language.
4 days ago · The Philippines largest online Cebuano dictionary. Search for word definitions in English or in Cebuano.
Learn 38 Cebuano words and phrases to help you explore and mingle in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Find out how to greet, eat, and get around like a local with these helpful tips.
