Speaking guide · 100 words to start real conversations
How to Speak Bisaya: 100 Words That Start Real Conversations
Most Bisaya learning resources give you word lists of 500+ items with no context. That does not work. Here are the 100 words and phrases that actually get you speaking — organized by how much conversational work each one does.
Foundation: 20 Words for Any Situation
Learn these 20 words first. They will carry you through most basic exchanges before you have studied anything else.
| Bisaya | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Oo | Yes | OH-oh |
| Dili | No | dee-LEE |
| Salamat | Thank you | sah-LAH-maht |
| Palihug | Please | pah-LEE-hug |
| Kumusta | Hello / How are you | koo-MOOS-tah |
| Maayo | Good / Fine | mah-AH-yoh |
| Dili ko kabalo | I don't know | dee-LEE koh kah-BAH-loh |
| Dili ko kasabot | I don't understand | dee-LEE koh kah-SAH-bot |
| Unsa | What | OON-sah |
| Asa | Where | AH-sah |
| Kanus-a | When | kah-NOOS-ah |
| Kinsa | Who | KIN-sah |
| Pila | How much / How many | PEE-lah |
| Nganong | Why | ngah-NONG |
| Unsaon | How | oon-SAH-on |
| Amping | Take care / Goodbye | AM-ping |
| Pasayloa ko | I'm sorry | pah-sigh-LOH-ah koh |
| Hinay-hinay | Slowly / Easy | hee-NAY hee-NAY |
| Ingon ana | Like that / I see | EE-ngon AH-nah |
| Sige | Okay / Go ahead | SEE-geh |
Conversation Builders: 30 Essential Phrases
Greetings and small talk
- Maayong buntag!—Good morning!
- Maayong hapon!—Good afternoon!
- Maayong gabii!—Good evening!
- Kumusta ka?—How are you?
- Maayo man, salamat. Ikaw?—Fine, thanks. And you?
- Ako si [name].—I am [name].
- Taga-asa ka?—Where are you from?
- Nindot kaayo!—Very nice / That's great!
Getting things done
- Pila ni?—How much is this?
- Asa ang CR?—Where is the bathroom?
- Asa ang [place]?—Where is [place]?
- Gusto ko ug [food].—I want [food].
- Dili ko gusto ug [thing].—I don't want [thing].
- Tabangan mo ko?—Can you help me?
- Puwede ba?—Is it okay? / May I?
Shopping and transport
- Ipalit ko ni.—I'll buy this.
- Mahal kaayo.—Too expensive.
- Pwede gamay?—Can you lower the price a little?
- Lugar lang.—Let me off here (in a jeepney).
- Palayo pa ba?—Is it far?
Reactions and connectors
- Tinuod ba?—Really? / Is that true?
- Ay nako!—Oh no! / Wow! (surprise or frustration)
- Ganahan ko.—I like it.
- Paborito nako.—That's my favorite.
- Busog na ko.—I'm full.
- Gigutom ko.—I'm hungry.
The One Grammar Pattern You Need First
Bisaya uses a verb focus system — the verb signals which element of the sentence is the subject. For speaking at beginner level, learn just these two patterns. They handle about 70% of everyday sentences.
Actor focus (who acts)
Mo- + verb + pronoun
Object focus (completed action)
Gi- + verb + nako/niya
You do not need to master all six focus types to start speaking. These two handle the majority of everyday sentences.
The 5 Speaking Mistakes to Avoid
Saying "mahal kita" to a Cebuano speaker
In Tagalog this means "I love you." In Bisaya, mahal means expensive. Say gihigugma ko ikaw for "I love you."
Using "hindi" instead of "dili"
Hindi is Tagalog for "no." In Bisaya it is dili. Using hindi marks you as a Tagalog speaker — not wrong, but not Bisaya.
Skipping the short pronoun forms
After a verb, use the short form: ko (not ako), ka (not ikaw). Gusto ko (correct) vs Gusto ako (unnatural). This rule applies to all short clitics.
Pronouncing vowels as English diphthongs
Bisaya a is always "ah," never "ay." Balay (house) is BAH-lai, not "BAY-lay." Pure vowels throughout.
Memorizing without speaking
You cannot learn to speak from reading. Every phrase in this guide must be said out loud — at least 5 times — to move from recognition to production.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say hello in Bisaya?
'Hello' in Bisaya is 'Kumusta' (koo-MUS-tah) — used exactly like 'how are you' in English, not just as a greeting. The response is 'Maayo man, salamat' (I'm fine, thank you). For time-specific greetings: 'Maayong buntag' (good morning), 'Maayong hapon' (good afternoon), 'Maayong gabii' (good evening).
What are the most important Bisaya words to learn first?
The 10 most useful Bisaya words for beginners: oo (yes), dili (no), salamat (thank you), palihug (please), unsa (what), asa (where), pila (how much), maayo (good/okay), wala ko kabalo (I don't know), dili ko kasabot (I don't understand). These cover 80% of early conversation needs.
Is Bisaya hard to speak?
Bisaya pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers — vowels are pure (a, e, i, o, u), consonants are familiar, and stress patterns are consistent. The grammar (verb focus system) takes more time to learn but you can speak functional Bisaya with simple patterns before mastering it. Most learners feel comfortable speaking basic phrases within 2–3 weeks of practice.
How do you practice speaking Bisaya?
The fastest methods: (1) Language exchange apps — Tandem and HelloTalk connect you with Cebu-based native speakers who want to practice English; (2) Shadowing — listen to native Bisaya audio and repeat each phrase immediately; (3) Self-talk — narrate your day in Bisaya using what you know; (4) Visiting Cebu or Davao — even a week of immersion equals months of solo study.
Ready to Start Speaking Bisaya?
Practice what you learned here with TalkBisaya's free grammar lessons, phrase guides, and vocabulary quizzes — no signup needed.