Bisaya Numbers 1–1000 — How to Count in Cebuano

The Bisaya numbers 1 to 10 are: 1 = Usa, 2 = Duha, 3 = Tulo, 4 = Upat, 5 = Lima, 6 = Unom, 7 = Pito, 8 = Walo, 9 = Siyam, 10 = Napulo. These are the native Bisaya (Cebuano) counting words. Note that Bisaya speakers also commonly use Spanish-derived numbers (uno, dos, tres, kwatro, singko, sais, syete, otso, nuwebe, dyes) especially when dealing with money, time, and informal counting.

Yes — Bisaya speakers regularly use both native Cebuano numbers and Spanish-derived numbers, often interchangeably. Spanish loanwords are especially common for: money (Baynte pesos = 20 pesos, Singkwenta = 50, Syento = 100), time (alas dos = 2 o'clock, alas tres = 3 o'clock), ages in conversation, and tens (Traynta = 30, Kwarenta = 40). The native Cebuano tens (Kawhaan, Katloan) are used in formal speech, school, and when speaking more traditionally.

'One hundred' in Bisaya is 'Usa ka gatos' (native Cebuano) or 'Syento' (from Spanish 'ciento'). 'Ka gatos' literally means 'one hundred of something' — 'gatos' = hundred. For 200: 'Duha ka gatos'. For 500: 'Lima ka gatos'. For 1,000: 'Usa ka libo' (native) or 'Mil' (Spanish). Both forms are understood throughout Bisaya-speaking regions.

Ordinal numbers in Bisaya use the prefix 'Ika-' + the cardinal number. So: first = Una (exception), second = Ikaduha, third = Ikatulo, fourth = Ikaupat, fifth = Ikalima, and so on. The prefix 'ika-' is the equivalent of English '-th' or '-nd'. 'Una' (first) is an exception — it comes from Spanish 'una' and doesn't use the ika- prefix, though 'Ikausa' is sometimes heard.

'How many?' in Bisaya is 'Pila?' — the same word as 'how much?' for price. Context determines whether you're asking about quantity or cost. For more specificity: 'Pila ka buok?' = How many pieces? ('buok' = piece/unit classifier). 'Pila na sila?' = How many of them are there already? The number answer uses the cardinal: 'Tulo ka buok.' = Three pieces.

For prices, Bisaya speakers almost universally use Spanish-derived numbers: 'Baynte pesos' (₱20), 'Singkwenta pesos' (₱50), 'Syento pesos' (₱100), 'Dos syentos' (₱200), 'Mil pesos' (₱1,000). The question 'How much?' is 'Pila?' or 'Tag pila?' (what is the price of?). 'Tag-baynte' = priced at twenty. For change: 'Sukli' = change/balance. Example: 'Tag pila ang isda?' (How much is the fish?) — 'Baynte lang' (Just twenty pesos).

Time in Bisaya uses Spanish-derived numbers for the clock: 'Alas dose' (12 o'clock), 'Alas una' (1 o'clock), 'Alas dos' (2 o'clock). 'Alas' comes from Spanish 'a las' (at the). For half past: 'Alas dos y media' (2:30). For quarter past: 'Alas tres menos kwarto' (2:45 — literally 3 minus a quarter). 'Unsa na ang oras?' = What time is it? 'Alas singko na' = It's already 5 o'clock. 'Ugma' = tomorrow. 'Kagahapon' = yesterday. 'Karong adlaw' = today.

Bisaya and Tagalog numbers differ significantly. 1–10 comparison: Bisaya: usa, duha, tulo, upat, lima, unom, pito, walo, siyam, napulo. Tagalog: isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu. Shared exactly: 5 (lima), 7 (pito), 8 (walo), 9 (siyam). Different: 1 (usa B vs isa T), 2 (duha B vs dalawa T), 3 (tulo B vs tatlo T), 4 (upat B vs apat T), 6 (unom B vs anim T), 10 (napulo B vs sampu T). For both languages, Spanish-derived numbers are used in everyday commerce and time-telling.