PronounDemonstratives

Kini in Bisaya

The Cebuano/Bisaya word Kini means “this (near speaker)”. Pronounced KEE-nee, it is used as a pronoun across Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and much of Mindanao. This guide covers what Kini means in Bisaya, how to pronounce it, when to use it, common example sentences, and how it compares to similar Cebuano words.

Also:NiNing

What Does “Kini” Mean in Bisaya?

In Bisaya (Cebuano), Kini translates to “this (near speaker)”.

Usage note: Refers to something near the speaker. Contracts to ni when used as a clitic, or ning before nga + noun.

Bisaya word

Kini

English meaning

this (near speaker)

Part of speech

Pronoun

How to Pronounce “Kini”

KEE-nee

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 Kini, put the main stress on the uppercase syllable in KEE-nee. Practice by saying it slowly first, then gradually speed up to natural conversational pace.

“Kini” in a Sentence — 2 Examples

Gusto ko kini.

I like this.

Kini nga balay maoy among gipuy-an.

This is the house we live in.

Related Bisaya Words

Kana

that (near listener)

Kadto

that (far from both / past)

Frequently Asked Questions About “Kini”

What does "Kini" mean in Bisaya?

"Kini" means "this (near speaker)" in Bisaya (Cebuano). Refers to something near the speaker. Contracts to ni when used as a clitic, or ning before nga + noun. It is used as a pronoun in the Demonstratives category.

How do you pronounce "Kini" in Bisaya?

"Kini" is pronounced "KEE-nee" 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 "Kini" Bisaya or Tagalog?

"Kini" 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. "Kini" (this (near speaker)) 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 "Kini" should be treated as Bisaya-specific unless verified in a Tagalog source.

Can "Kini" be used in formal Bisaya?

Yes, "Kini" is used in both everyday conversation and more formal settings. Refers to something near the speaker. Contracts to ni when used as a clitic, or ning before nga + noun.

How do I use "Kini" in a sentence?

Example: "Gusto ko kini." — "I like this.". Another example: "Kini nga balay maoy among gipuy-an." — "This is the house we live in.".

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