Beginner phrasebook · 100 sentences

100 Essential Bisaya Sentences with English Translations

Want to actually talk Bisaya with your partner, your in-laws, or the people you meet in Cebu, Bohol, and Davao? This is the conversation kit. One hundred everyday sentences — the ones real Cebuano speakers use from morning greetings to I love you at bedtime — with pronunciation, usage notes, and short dialogues so you hear how they fit together.

You don't need grammar drills to start. You need the ten phrases that get you through breakfast, the ten that handle how are you?, and the ten that work at the door when you're heading out. We have them all here, grouped so you can scan, learn the cluster you need, and put it to work the same day.

New to Bisaya? Start with our beginner's guide to learning Bisaya for the methodology, then come back here for the phrases.

01 / 10

Greetings — Start Any Conversation

The first thing a Cebuano notices about a learner is whether you greet properly. These three are non-negotiable.

  • Maayong buntag

    mah-AH-yong boon-TAG

    Good morning

    Sunrise until ~11 a.m.

  • Maayong hapon

    mah-AH-yong hah-PON

    Good afternoon

    Roughly noon to 6 p.m.

  • Maayong gabii

    mah-AH-yong gah-BEE-ee

    Good evening

    After dark; also doubles as 'good night' before sleep.

Sample dialogue

  1. Anna: Maayong buntag, Tito!

    Good morning, Tito!

  2. Tito Ben: Maayong buntag, Anna. Kaon na ba ka?

    Good morning, Anna. Have you eaten yet?

02 / 10

Asking How Someone Is — and Introducing Yourself

Cebuanos rarely walk past a familiar face without checking in. After a greeting, this cluster is what comes next — plus the four sentences you need when meeting someone for the first time.

  • Kumusta ka?

    koo-MOOS-tah kah

    How are you?

    Universal check-in. Add a name: Kumusta ka, Mama?

  • Maayo man, ikaw?

    mah-AH-yo mahn, EE-kaw

    I'm fine, and you?

    Standard polite reply.

  • Unsa'y balita?

    OON-sai bah-LEE-tah

    What's the news? / What's up?

    Casual; use with friends and family.

  • Asa ka moadto?

    AH-sah kah moh-AHD-toh

    Where are you going?

    A friendly 'where to?' — not nosy in Bisaya.

  • Asa ka gikan?

    AH-sah kah gee-KAHN

    Where did you come from?

    Common reverse of the question above.

  • Unsa'y imong ngalan?

    OON-sai ee-MONG NGAH-lan

    What's your name?

    Your first-meeting question. Ngalan = name.

  • Ako si [name]

    AH-koh see

    I am [name]

    Standard self-introduction.

  • Taga-asa ka?

    tah-GAH AH-sah kah

    Where are you from?

    Natural follow-up to the name question.

  • Taga-Cebu ko

    tah-GAH SEH-boo koh

    I'm from Cebu

    Taga- + place = 'from [place].' Swap Cebu for any place.

Catching up

  1. Joy: Kumusta ka, Inday?

    How are you, Inday?

  2. Inday: Maayo man, ikaw?

    I'm fine, and you?

  3. Joy: Maayo sad. Asa ka moadto?

    Good too. Where are you going?

  4. Inday: Adto sa merkado, mopalit og isda.

    Going to the market to buy fish.

First meeting

  1. Tourist: Maayong buntag! Unsa'y imong ngalan?

    Good morning! What's your name?

  2. Local: Ako si Mark. Ikaw?

    I'm Mark. You?

  3. Tourist: Ako si Anna. Taga-America ko.

    I'm Anna. I'm from America.

  4. Local: Ah, taga-America! Welcome sa Cebu.

    Ah, from America! Welcome to Cebu.

03 / 10

Farewells and "Take Care"

In Bisaya, you don't usually say a formal 'goodbye' — you say I'm leaving now or take care.

  • Sige

    SEE-geh

    Okay / Sure / Alright

    The most-used word in casual Cebuano. Doubles as 'bye.'

  • Kita ta ugma

    KEE-tah tah oog-MAH

    See you tomorrow

    Standard next-day farewell.

  • Adto nako

    ahd-TOH NAH-koh

    I'm leaving now

    Polite, signals you're heading off.

  • Unya nasad

    OON-yah NAH-sad

    See you later

    'Later again' — for same-day return.

  • Magkita ta og balik

    mag-KEE-tah tah og bah-LEEK

    Hope to see you again

    Warmer parting between people who don't meet often.

  • Pag-amping

    pahg-AHM-ping

    Take care!

    Universal Cebuano farewell.

  • Pag-amping sa imong pagpauli

    pahg-AHM-ping sah ee-MONG pag-pah-OO-lee

    Get home safely

    Said as someone heads home, especially at night.

Sample dialogue

  1. Lola: Adto na ko, mga apo.

    I'm leaving now, grandkids.

  2. Apo: Sige, Lola. Pag-amping sa imong pagpauli, ha?

    Okay, Lola. Get home safely, okay?

  3. Lola: Sige, kita ta ugma sa simbahan.

    Sure, see you tomorrow at church.

04 / 10

Thank You, Sorry, and Asking for Clarification

Politeness in Bisaya runs through salamat (thank you), pasensya/pasaylo (sorry/forgive), and the four phrases below for when you didn't catch something. Note: there is no Bisaya equivalent of Tagalog po/opo.

  • Salamat

    sah-LAH-maht

    Thank you

    Use generously, even with English speakers.

  • Salamat kaayo

    sah-LAH-maht ka-AH-yo

    Thank you very much

    Add kaayo (very) to intensify any phrase.

  • Magpasalamat ko nimo

    mag-pah-sah-LAH-maht koh NEE-moh

    I'm thankful to you

    Heartfelt; for genuine gratitude.

  • Walay sapayan

    wah-LAI sah-PAH-yahn

    You're welcome / No problem

    Standard reply to salamat.

  • Sori / Pasaylo / Pasensya

    SOR-ee / pah-SAI-loh / pah-SEN-syah

    Sorry / Forgive me / Patience-please

    Sori for casual; pasaylo for sincere apology; pasensya asks for patience.

  • Pasayloa ko sa kahasol

    pah-sai-LOH-ah koh sah kah-HAH-sol

    Forgive me for the inconvenience

    Formal apology, e.g. when interrupting.

  • Pasensya sa kahasol

    pah-SEN-syah sah kah-HAH-sol

    Sorry for the inconvenience

    Slightly softer than pasayloa ko.

  • Pasayloa ko

    pah-sai-LOH-ah koh

    Forgive me

    For real wrongs, not minor mistakes.

  • Mabuhay

    mah-BOO-hai

    Cheers! / Long live!

    Used at toasts and ceremonies.

  • Wala ko kasabot

    wah-LAH koh kah-SAH-bot

    I don't understand

    The single most useful 'reset' phrase on day one.

  • Hinay-hinay lang, palihog

    hee-NAI hee-NAI lahng, pah-lee-HOG

    Slowly please

    When the speaker is going too fast for you.

  • Pwede ko mangayog tabang?

    pweh-DEH koh mah-NGA-yog TAH-bang

    Can I ask for help?

    Polite opener for asking strangers.

  • Pwede usbon?

    pweh-DEH oos-BON

    Can you repeat?

    The shortest polite 'again, please.'

Gratitude

  1. Tindera: Heto na, ma'am.

    Here it is, ma'am.

  2. Maria: Salamat kaayo!

    Thank you very much!

  3. Tindera: Walay sapayan.

    You're welcome.

Asking to slow down

  1. Anna: Pasayloa ko, wala ko kasabot. Pwede usbon?

    Sorry, I don't understand. Can you repeat?

  2. Lola: Sige, hinay-hinay lang. Asa daw ka padulong?

    Sure, slowly then. Where did you say you're going?

  3. Anna: Ah, sakto na. Salamat kaayo!

    Ah, got it. Thank you very much!

05 / 10

Telling Time

Cebuano time uses Spanish-borrowed numbers (ala una, alas dos, alas tres…) — not native Cebuano numbers. Usa (one) is for counting things, not for the clock.

  • Unsa na orasa karon?

    OON-sah nah oh-RAH-sah KAH-ron

    What time is it now?

    Universal 'what time?' question.

  • Ala una

    AH-lah OO-nah

    One o'clock

    Spanish-borrowed numbers used for time.

  • Moalas syete na

    moh-AH-las SYEH-teh nah

    It's almost seven o'clock

    'Mo-' prefix means 'approaching.'

  • Naa pa kitay oras

    NAH pah kee-TAI OH-ras

    We still have time

    Reassuring phrase.

  • Wala ko'y oras

    wah-LAH koy OH-ras

    I don't have time

    Specific to time; use panahon for broader sense.

  • Wala ko'y panahon

    wah-LAH koy pah-nah-HON

    I don't have time (broader)

    Implies 'no opportunity' or general unavailability.

  • Unsang orasa ka nimata ganihang buntag?

    OON-sang oh-RAH-sah kah nee-MAH-tah gah-nee-HAHNG boon-TAG

    What time did you wake up this morning?

    Ganihang buntag = earlier this morning.

  • Unsang orasa ka matulog karong gabii?

    OON-sang oh-RAH-sah kah mah-TOO-log KAH-rong gah-BEE-ee

    What time will you sleep tonight?

    Karong gabii = tonight.

  • Hangtod unsang orasa?

    hang-TOD OON-sang oh-RAH-sah

    Until what time?

    E.g. asking about closing hours.

  • Paniudto na

    pah-nee-OOD-toh nah

    It's lunchtime

    Stand-alone announcement; means 'let's eat lunch.'

Sample dialogue

  1. Mama: Unsa na orasa karon, anak?

    What time is it now, child?

  2. Anak: Moalas syete na.

    It's almost seven.

  3. Mama: Paniudto na ta!

    It's lunchtime — let's eat!

06 / 10

Days, Dates, and How Long

Days and months in Cebuano use Spanish-derived names (Lunes, Agosto, hunyo). Native time words like adlaw (day), buwan (month), and tuig (year) handle quantities.

  • Unsa nga petsa karon?

    OON-sah ngah pet-SAH KAH-ron

    What's the date today?

    Petsa is borrowed from Spanish fecha.

  • Pagpahalipay sa imong kasal

    pag-pah-hah-lee-PAI sah ee-MONG kah-SAHL

    Congratulations on your wedding

    Said at weddings; pagpahalipay = congratulations.

  • Ika-dose sa hunyo, adlaw sa kagawasan

    EE-kah DOH-seh sah hoon-YO, AHD-law sah kah-gah-WAH-san

    June 12, Independence Day

    Philippine Independence Day.

  • Unsang adlawa ugma?

    OON-sang AHD-lah-wah oog-MAH

    What day is tomorrow?

    Adlaw = day.

  • Lunes

    LOO-nehs

    Monday

    All weekday names are Spanish-borrowed.

  • Kanus-a imong bakasyon?

    kah-NOOS-ah ee-MONG bah-kah-SYON

    When is your vacation?

    The hyphen in kanus-a is a glottal stop — pause clearly.

  • Inig Agosto

    EE-neeg ah-GOS-toh

    When August comes

    Inig = 'when [time period] arrives.'

  • Sa Agosto

    sah ah-GOS-toh

    In August

    Simpler 'in [month].'

  • Unsa nga tuig ka gipanganak?

    OON-sah ngah TOO-eeg kah gee-pah-ngah-NAHK

    What year were you born?

    Tuig = year.

  • Kanus-a lang ka dinhi?

    kah-NOOS-ah lahng kah DEEN-hee

    When did you arrive here?

    Lit. 'since when only here?'

  • Pagniaging semana ra

    pag-nee-AH-geeng seh-MAH-nah rah

    Just last week

    Niaging = past, ra softens.

  • Pag-Sabado ra

    pag-sah-BAH-doh rah

    Just this past Saturday

    Pag- + day = 'this past [day].'

  • Unsa naka kadugay sa Manila?

    OON-sah NAH-kah kah-doo-GAI sah mah-NEE-lah

    How long have you been in Manila?

    Kadugay = how long.

  • Mga lima ka tuig

    mgah LEE-mah kah TOO-eeg

    About five years

    Mga = approximately.

  • Usa ka buwan

    OO-sah kah BOO-wahn

    One month

    Buwan = month or moon.

  • Manimba mi taga-Domingo

    mah-NEEM-bah mee tah-gah-doh-MEENG-goh

    We go to church every Sunday

    Manimba = go to mass; taga- = every (Bohol/Davao often prefer kada Domingo).

Sample dialogue

  1. Joy: Kanus-a imong bakasyon?

    When is your vacation?

  2. Mark: Sa Agosto ra. Mouli ko sa Cebu.

    Just in August. I'll go home to Cebu.

  3. Joy: Unsa naka kadugay sa Manila?

    How long have you been in Manila?

  4. Mark: Mga lima ka tuig na.

    About five years now.

07 / 10

Asking for Directions

Asa (where) is the workhorse question word for directions. Pair it with sa + place to ask 'where is the [place]?' — and you'll handle most navigation in Cebu.

  • Asa ang kasilyas?

    AH-sah ang kah-SEEL-yas

    Where is the bathroom?

    Kasilyas = bathroom; banyo and CR also work.

  • Sa pikas

    sah pee-KAHS

    On the other side

    Common direction shortcut.

  • Deretsoa ninyo ug naa kana sa tuo

    deh-ret-SOH-ah neen-YO oog NAH kah-NAH sah TOO-oh

    Go straight ahead, it will be on your right

    Tuo = right, wala = left (also 'none').

  • Asa dapita ang kan-anan nga imong giingon?

    AH-sah dah-PEE-tah ang kahn-AH-nan ngah ee-MONG gee-EE-ngon

    Where exactly is the eatery you mentioned?

    Dapit = place; adds specificity.

  • Sa simbahan

    sah seem-BAH-han

    At the church

    Locative sa = at, in, to.

  • Asa nimo gibutang akong samin?

    AH-sah NEE-moh gee-boo-TANG AH-kong sah-MEEN

    Where did you put my mirror?

    Samin = mirror; gibutang = was placed.

  • Babaw sa lamesa

    BAH-baw sah lah-MEH-sah

    On top of the table

    Babaw = top; opposite ilawom (under).

  • Moagi ang bus sa fly-over

    moh-AH-gee ang boos sah fly-OH-vehr

    The bus will pass by the flyover

    Moagi = will pass by.

  • Ang iring nagtago sa ilawom sa higdaanan

    ang EE-reeng nag-TAH-goh sah ee-LAH-om sah hig-dah-AH-nan

    The cat is hiding under the bed

    Iring = cat; higdaanan = bed.

  • Asa si nanay?

    AH-sah see NAH-nai

    Where is Mom?

    Si + name marks a person.

  • Naa siya sa kusina

    NAH see-YAH sah koo-SEE-nah

    She is in the kitchen

    Kusina from Spanish cocina.

  • Naa didto sa ilang Tiya Irma

    NAH deed-TOH sah EE-lang TEE-yah EER-mah

    She is over there at Aunt Irma's place

    Ilang = at their place.

  • Asa ang akong sinugatan?

    AH-sah ang AH-kong see-noo-GAH-tan

    Where is my present/souvenir?

    Sinugatan = welcome gift, traditionally given on arrival.

  • Naa didto sa kwarto

    NAH deed-TOH sah KWAR-toh

    It's over there in the room

    Kwarto from Spanish cuarto.

  • Naa pa sulod sa bagahe

    NAH pah SOO-lod sah bah-GAH-heh

    It's still inside the luggage

    Bagahe = luggage.

  • Naa siya?

    NAH see-YAH

    Is he/she there?

    Lit. 'Is there?' — common phone greeting.

  • O. Naa siya

    OH. NAH see-YAH

    Yes. He/She is here.

    O = yes (informal).

  • Wala siya diri

    wah-LAH see-YAH DEE-ree

    He/She is not here

    Standard 'not here' reply.

Sample dialogue

  1. Tourist: Pasayloa ko, asa ang kasilyas?

    Excuse me, where is the bathroom?

  2. Local: Deretsoa ninyo ug naa kana sa tuo.

    Go straight ahead and it will be on your right.

  3. Tourist: Salamat kaayo!

    Thank you very much!

08 / 10

Naa and Wala — Have, Don't Have, Is There?

These two words do massive work in Bisaya — possession, existence, presence. Master them and your conversation jumps a level.

  • Naa ba nimo ang akong yawi?

    NAH bah NEE-moh ang AH-kong YAH-wee

    Do you have my key?

    Yawi = key.

  • Wala nako

    wah-LAH NAH-koh

    I don't have it

    Short reply when something isn't with you.

  • Naa kay uyab?

    NAH kai oo-YAB

    Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

    Uyab = romantic partner; common friendly question.

  • Naa

    NAH

    Yes / I have / It's here

    Universal 'yes there is' or 'I have.'

  • Wala

    wah-LAH

    No / I don't have / It's not here

    Universal 'none / no / don't have.'

  • Naa kay trabaho?

    NAH kai trah-BAH-ho

    Do you have a job?

    Trabaho = work, job.

  • Naa kay kwarta?

    NAH kai KWAR-tah

    Do you have money?

    Kwarta = money.

  • Wala koy kwarta

    wah-LAH koy KWAR-tah

    I don't have money

    Use koy (= 'I have no') for 'I don't have.'

  • Naa mi iro sa balay

    NAH mee EE-roh sah bah-LAI

    We have a dog at home

    Iro = dog; balay = house.

  • Daghang nindot nga isla sa Pilipinas

    dag-HAHNG neen-DOT ngah EES-lah sah pee-lee-PEE-nas

    There are many beautiful islands in the Philippines

    Daghang = many; isla = island.

  • Naay nagkanta-kanta sa dalan

    NAH-ai nag-KAHN-tah KAHN-tah sah dah-LAHN

    Someone is singing along the street

    Naay = there is; reduplication softens the action.

  • Naa koy isulti nimo

    NAH koy ee-SOOL-tee NEE-moh

    I have something to tell you

    Isulti = to say; common conversation-opener.

Sample dialogue

  1. Mom: Naa kay kwarta para sa baon?

    Do you have money for your allowance?

  2. Anak: Wala, Ma. Naa pa diay koy kuhaon?

    No, Mom. Do I still have something to pick up?

  3. Mom: Sige, hatag ko nimog usa ka gatos.

    Okay, I'll give you one hundred.

09 / 10

Distance and Travel

Kalayo (how far), pipila (how few), and biyahe (trip) handle most travel-distance conversations. Spanish-derived kilometro and minuto cover the units.

  • Unsa kalayo ang imong opisina gikan diri?

    OON-sah kah-lah-YO ang ee-MONG oh-pee-SEE-nah gee-KAHN DEE-ree

    How far is your office from here?

    Kalayo = how far.

  • Pipila lang ka minuto

    pee-PEE-lah lahng kah mee-NOO-toh

    Just a few minutes

    Pipila = a few; lang = just.

  • Usa ka oras

    OO-sah kah OH-ras

    One hour

    Counting hours uses native Cebuano numbers.

  • Layo ba ang iyang adtuon?

    lah-YO bah ang ee-YAHNG ahd-too-ON

    Is the place he/she is going to far?

    Layo = far; adtuon = destination.

  • Mga tulo ka kilometro gikan diri hangtod didto

    mgah TOO-loh kah kee-LOH-meh-troh gee-KAHN DEE-ree hang-TOD deed-TOH

    About three kilometers from here to there

    Hangtod = until; didto = there.

  • Taas ba ang atong biyahe?

    tah-AHS bah ang AH-tong bee-YAH-heh

    Is our trip long?

    Taas = long/tall; biyahe = trip.

  • Dili. Kadiyot ra to

    DEE-lee. kah-DEE-yot rah toh

    No. It was just quick

    Kadiyot = a brief moment.

Sample dialogue

  1. Lex: Unsa kalayo ang imong opisina gikan diri?

    How far is your office from here?

  2. Anna: Pipila lang ka minuto, mga tulo ka kilometro ra.

    Just a few minutes, only about three kilometers.

  3. Lex: Ay, dili diay layo!

    Oh, it's not far then!

10 / 10

Talk with Loved Ones — Affection in Bisaya

This is what TalkBisaya is really about — using the language to reach the people you love. Bisaya carries warmth that doesn't translate cleanly. Mingaw (longing) sits at the root of gimingaw (I miss you). Palangga (cherished) goes deeper than English 'darling.'

  • Mahal kita

    mah-HAHL kee-TAH

    I love you

    Common, slightly Tagalog-influenced; widely understood across Cebu. The everyday 'I love you.'

  • Gihigugma tika

    gee-hee-GOOG-mah TEE-kah

    I love you (native)

    More native Cebuano; weighty, used for deeper sentiment — wedding vows, serious confessions.

  • Palangga tika

    pah-LANG-gah TEE-kah

    I cherish you / love you dearly

    Term of endearment; often parent-to-child or between long-term partners.

  • Gimingaw ko nimo

    gee-mee-NGAW koh NEE-moh

    I miss you

    Literally 'I'm lonely for you.' The longing is built into the word.

  • Nindot ka kaayo

    neen-DOT kah ka-AH-yo

    You're so beautiful

    Compliment for a partner, friend, or family member. Nindot covers 'beautiful' and 'nice/wonderful.'

Sample dialogue

  1. Mark: Mahal kita, palangga.

    I love you, my love.

  2. Anna: Mahal sad tika. Gimingaw na ko nimo.

    I love you too. I miss you already.

  3. Mark: Ako sad. Magkita ta sa weekend?

    Me too. Shall we meet this weekend?

  4. Anna: Sige. Ayo-ayo, ha?

    Sure. Take care, okay?

Read: 25 romantic Bisaya phrases

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to memorize all 100 Bisaya sentences?

Most beginners memorize 30 of these in their first week with 15 minutes of daily practice. The full 100 take about 5–8 weeks of daily exposure if you actually use them in conversation, not just read them. Saying each phrase out loud three times in real or imagined situations is far more effective than re-reading.

Should I learn the polite 'po' version of these Bisaya phrases?

No. Cebuano does not use po and opo the way Tagalog does. Politeness in Bisaya comes from tone, the softener 'lang', and respectful address (manong/manang for older strangers). Adding po to Salamat marks you as a Manila visitor.

What is the most important Bisaya sentence for a beginner?

Salamat (thank you) is the single most useful word. The next four are Maayong buntag (good morning), Kumusta? (how are you?), Pila ni? (how much?), and Wala ko kasabot (I don't understand). Those five cover greeting, gratitude, basic transactions, and the polite reset when lost.

Is Bisaya the same as Cebuano?

Yes. Bisaya and Cebuano refer to the same language. Cebuano is the formal linguistic name; Bisaya is what speakers themselves use in everyday context, especially in Cebu, Bohol, and most of Mindanao. The terms are interchangeable.

Why are some Bisaya words clearly Spanish?

Three centuries of Spanish presence left a deep mark on Cebuano vocabulary, especially in time (ala una, alas dos), days of the week (Lunes, Martes), kitchen and household objects (kwarto, kusina), and money. Native speakers treat these words as fully Cebuano.

How can I hear how Bisaya sentences really sound?

Pronunciation guides only get you 80% there — the last 20% is rhythm and stress, which only the ear teaches. Search YouTube for short Cebuano vlogs (Cebu City vlogs work well), watch with subtitles on, and listen for the phrases. Even 15 minutes a day for a week measurably improves your ear.

Keep building your Bisaya

You now have the conversational core for 90% of daily Bisaya situations. From here:

Browse 270+ phrases →Bisaya–English dictionary →Take the practice quiz →Word of the day →Grammar lessons →

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa, higala. Padayon — keep going.

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