PhraseUseful Phrases

Hinay-hinay lang in Bisaya

The Cebuano/Bisaya word Hinay-hinay lang means “Slowly please”. Pronounced hee-NAI hee-NAI lahng, it is used as a phrase across Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and much of Mindanao. This guide covers what Hinay-hinay lang means in Bisaya, how to pronounce it, when to use it, common example sentences, and how it compares to similar Cebuano words.

What Does “Hinay-hinay lang” Mean in Bisaya?

In Bisaya (Cebuano), Hinay-hinay lang translates to “Slowly please”.

Bisaya word

Hinay-hinay lang

English meaning

Slowly please

Part of speech

Phrase

How to Pronounce “Hinay-hinay lang”

hee-NAI hee-NAI lahng

Capital letters mark the stressed syllable — say it louder and slightly longer.

Bisaya stress is phonemic, meaning the wrong stress can change a word's meaning or make it unrecognisable to native speakers. For Hinay-hinay lang, put the main stress on the uppercase syllable in hee-NAI hee-NAI lahng. Practice by saying it slowly first, then gradually speed up to natural conversational pace.

“Hinay-hinay lang” in a Sentence — 1 Example

Hinay-hinay lang, palihog. Bag-o pa ko magtuon ug Binisaya.

Slowly please. I'm still new to learning Bisaya.

Related Bisaya Words

Dili ko kasabot

I don't understand

Palihog

Please

Frequently Asked Questions About “Hinay-hinay lang”

What does "Hinay-hinay lang" mean in Bisaya?

"Hinay-hinay lang" means "Slowly please" in Bisaya (Cebuano). It is used as a phrase in the Useful Phrases category.

How do you pronounce "Hinay-hinay lang" in Bisaya?

"Hinay-hinay lang" is pronounced "hee-NAI hee-NAI lahng" in Bisaya. Capital letters in the phonetic spelling mark the stressed syllable. Bisaya stress is generally strong and clear — say the highlighted syllable louder and slightly longer than the rest.

Is "Hinay-hinay lang" Bisaya or Tagalog?

"Hinay-hinay lang" is a Bisaya (Cebuano) word. Bisaya and Tagalog are separate languages — the same word can mean something different, or nothing at all, in the other language. "Hinay-hinay lang" (Slowly please) is used in the Cebuano-speaking regions: Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and much of Mindanao. Some Bisaya words share a Tagalog cognate through shared Spanish borrowings, but "Hinay-hinay lang" should be treated as Bisaya-specific unless verified in a Tagalog source.

Can "Hinay-hinay lang" be used in formal Bisaya?

Yes, "Hinay-hinay lang" is used in both everyday conversation and more formal settings. As a phrase, it appears frequently in spoken Bisaya across all registers.

How do I use "Hinay-hinay lang" in a sentence?

Example: "Hinay-hinay lang, palihog. Bag-o pa ko magtuon ug Binisaya." — "Slowly please. I'm still new to learning Bisaya.".

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