Bisaya Numbers 1-100: Complete Guide to Counting in Cebuano

Introduction: Why Learn Bisaya Numbers?

Whether you're haggling at Carbon Market in Cebu, catching a jeepney, or simply telling someone your age, knowing Bisaya numbers is absolutely essential. Numbers are the backbone of daily transactions in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to count from 1 to 100 in Bisaya (Cebuano), along with practical tips for using numbers in real-life situations. By the end, you'll be confidently navigating markets, restaurants, and conversations like a local.

Bisaya Numbers 1-10: The Foundation

Let's start with the basics. These ten numbers are the building blocks for all Cebuano counting:

| Number | Bisaya | Pronunciation |

|--------|--------|---------------|

| 1 | Usa | OO-sah |

| 2 | Duha | DOO-hah |

| 3 | Tulo | TOO-loh |

| 4 | Upat | OO-paht |

| 5 | Lima | LEE-mah |

| 6 | Unom | OO-nom |

| 7 | Pito | PEE-toh |

| 8 | Walo | WAH-loh |

| 9 | Siyam | SEE-yahm |

| 10 | Napulo | nah-POO-loh |

Practice Sentences with Numbers 1-10

Usa ka kilo, palihog. - One kilo, please.

Duha ka ticket. - Two tickets.

Tulo ka adlaw. - Three days.

Pila ka buok? Lima. - How many pieces? Five.

Bisaya Numbers 11-19: The Teens

For numbers 11-19, Bisaya uses Spanish-derived words (similar to Tagalog). These are used universally across the Philippines:

| Number | Bisaya | Pronunciation |

|--------|--------|---------------|

| 11 | Onse | ON-seh |

| 12 | Dose | DOH-seh |

| 13 | Trese | TREH-seh |

| 14 | Katorse | kah-TOR-seh |

| 15 | Kinse | KEEN-seh |

| 16 | Dise-sais | dee-seh-SICE |

| 17 | Dise-syete | dee-seh-SYEH-teh |

| 18 | Dise-otso | dee-seh-OT-so |

| 19 | Dise-nwebe | dee-seh-NWEH-beh |

Why Spanish Numbers?

The Philippines was a Spanish colony for over 300 years, and Spanish influence remains strong in Filipino languages. For numbers, especially in commerce and time-telling, Spanish-derived words are standard.

Bisaya Numbers 20-100: The Tens

| Number | Bisaya | Pronunciation |

|--------|--------|---------------|

| 20 | Baynte | BINE-teh |

| 30 | Traynta | TRINE-tah |

| 40 | Kwarenta | kwah-REN-tah |

| 50 | Singkwenta | seeng-KWEN-tah |

| 60 | Sisenta | see-SEN-tah |

| 70 | Sitenta | see-TEN-tah |

| 80 | Otsenta | ot-SEN-tah |

| 90 | Nobenta | noh-BEN-tah |

| 100 | Usa ka gatos | OO-sah kah GAH-tos |

Combining Numbers

To make numbers like 21, 35, or 99, simply combine the tens with the ones:

21 = Baynte uno (BINE-teh OO-noh)

35 = Traynta singko (TRINE-tah SEENG-koh)

47 = Kwarenta syete (kwah-REN-tah SYEH-teh)

99 = Nobenta nwebe (noh-BEN-tah NWEH-beh)

Practical Uses for Bisaya Numbers

Shopping and Bargaining

Numbers are essential when shopping in local markets:

Pila ni? - How much is this?

Baynte pesos. - Twenty pesos.

Mahal kaayo! Kinse na lang. - Too expensive! Make it fifteen.

Sige, baynte na lang. - Okay, just twenty.

Tagaan ko'g duha. - Give me two.

Telling Time

Time-telling in Bisaya uses Spanish numbers:

Unsang orasa na? - What time is it?

Alas dos na. - It's 2 o'clock.

Alas singko y medya. - It's 5:30.

Alas otso sa buntag. - 8 in the morning.

Talking About Age

Pila na ang edad nimo? - How old are you?

Baynte singko anyos na ko. - I'm 25 years old.

Traynta na siya. - He/She is 30.

Transportation Fares

Pila ang pamasahe? - How much is the fare?

Dose pesos. - Twelve pesos.

Baynte pesos paingon sa Ayala. - Twenty pesos to Ayala.

Native Bisaya Numbers (Higher Values)

While Spanish-derived numbers dominate daily use, native Bisaya numbers exist for higher values:

| Value | Native Bisaya |

|-------|---------------|

| 100 | Usa ka gatos |

| 200 | Duha ka gatos |

| 500 | Lima ka gatos |

| 1,000 | Usa ka libo |

| 10,000 | Napulo ka libo |

| 100,000 | Usa ka gatos ka libo |

| 1,000,000 | Usa ka milyon |

Example:

Pila ang presyo? - What's the price?

Tulo ka libo lima ka gatos. - Three thousand five hundred (3,500).

Tips for Mastering Bisaya Numbers

1. Practice with Money

Philippine peso bills and coins are perfect practice tools:

• 20 pesos = Baynte pesos
• 50 pesos = Singkwenta pesos
• 100 pesos = Usa ka gatos pesos
• 500 pesos = Lima ka gatos pesos
• 1,000 pesos = Usa ka libo pesos

2. Count Everything

Practice counting things you see daily:

Pila ka sakyanan? - How many vehicles?

Pila ka tawo? - How many people?

Pila ka adlaw? - How many days?

3. Use Numbers in Context

Don't just memorize—use numbers in full sentences:

Mopalit ko ug tulo ka mangga. - I'll buy three mangoes.

Nagtrabaho ko ug walo ka oras. - I worked eight hours.

Napulo ka minuto na lang. - Just ten more minutes.

4. Listen to Locals

Pay attention to how vendors, drivers, and locals use numbers. You'll notice patterns and shortcuts they use in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing Up Native and Spanish Numbers

Stick to Spanish-derived numbers for consistency in commerce. Using native numbers for small amounts can confuse vendors.

Correct: Baynte pesos (20 pesos)

Less common: Duha ka napulo ka pesos

Forgetting "Ka" for Counting Objects

When counting objects, use "ka" between the number and the object:

Correct: Tulo ka libro (three books)

Incorrect: Tulo libro

Confusing "Usa" (One) with "Isa" (Tagalog)

Remember that Bisaya uses "usa" for one, not the Tagalog "isa."

Quick Reference Chart

Here's a handy chart for quick reference:

| English | Bisaya | Quick Pronunciation |

|---------|--------|---------------------|

| 1 | Usa | OO-sah |

| 5 | Lima | LEE-mah |

| 10 | Napulo | nah-POO-loh |

| 15 | Kinse | KEEN-seh |

| 20 | Baynte | BINE-teh |

| 25 | Baynte singko | BINE-teh SEENG-koh |

| 50 | Singkwenta | seeng-KWEN-tah |

| 75 | Sitenta singko | see-TEN-tah SEENG-koh |

| 100 | Usa ka gatos | OO-sah kah GAH-tos |

Conclusion

Learning Bisaya numbers opens doors to genuine interactions in the Visayas and Mindanao. From bargaining at Colon Street to ordering at Jollibee, numbers are everywhere.

Start with the basics (1-10), then build up to the teens and tens. Before you know it, you'll be counting change, negotiating prices, and impressing locals with your Cebuano skills!

Pro tip: Practice by counting your change at every transaction. It's free practice that adds up (pun intended)!

Ready to learn more Bisaya? Visit TalkBisaya.com for our complete dictionary with pronunciation guides and example sentences.