The Cebuano/Bisaya word Puyra buyag means “Lest a curse befall (post-compliment)”. Pronounced POO-yah BOO-yahg, it is used as a phrase across Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and much of Mindanao. This guide covers what Puyra buyag means in Bisaya, how to pronounce it, when to use it, common example sentences, and how it compares to similar Cebuano words.
In Bisaya (Cebuano), Puyra buyag translates to “Lest a curse befall (post-compliment)”.
Bisaya word
Puyra buyag
English meaning
Lest a curse befall (post-compliment)
Part of speech
Phrase
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 Puyra buyag, put the main stress on the uppercase syllable in POO-yah BOO-yahg. Practice by saying it slowly first, then gradually speed up to natural conversational pace.
Tambok kaayo imong bata, no? Puyra buyag.
Your baby is so chubby, isn't she? May no curse touch her.
Said immediately after complimenting a child or anything precious — wards off the buyag, a folk illness believed to befall things admired too directly. Even non-superstitious Cebuanos say it reflexively.
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