VerbEmotions

Nahadlok in Bisaya

The Cebuano/Bisaya word Nahadlok means “afraid / scared”. Pronounced nah-HAHD-lohk, it is used as a verb across Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and much of Mindanao. This guide covers what Nahadlok means in Bisaya, how to pronounce it, when to use it, common example sentences, and how it compares to similar Cebuano words.

What Does “Nahadlok” Mean in Bisaya?

In Bisaya (Cebuano), Nahadlok translates to “afraid / scared”. The word covers closely related meanings — afraid, scared — the right one depends on context.

Bisaya word

Nahadlok

English meaning

afraid

Part of speech

Verb

How to Pronounce “Nahadlok”

nah-HAHD-lohk

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 Nahadlok, put the main stress on the uppercase syllable in nah-HAHD-lohk. Practice by saying it slowly first, then gradually speed up to natural conversational pace.

“Nahadlok” in a Sentence — 1 Example

Nahadlok ko sa iro.

I'm afraid of the dog.

Related Bisaya Words

Nabalaka

worried / concerned

Frequently Asked Questions About “Nahadlok”

What does "Nahadlok" mean in Bisaya?

"Nahadlok" means "afraid / scared" in Bisaya (Cebuano). It is used as a verb in the Emotions category.

How do you pronounce "Nahadlok" in Bisaya?

"Nahadlok" is pronounced "nah-HAHD-lohk" 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 "Nahadlok" Bisaya or Tagalog?

"Nahadlok" 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. "Nahadlok" (afraid) 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 "Nahadlok" should be treated as Bisaya-specific unless verified in a Tagalog source.

Can "Nahadlok" be used in formal Bisaya?

Yes, "Nahadlok" is used in both everyday conversation and more formal settings. As a verb, it appears frequently in spoken Bisaya across all registers.

How do I use "Nahadlok" in a sentence?

Example: "Nahadlok ko sa iro." — "I'm afraid of the dog.".

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