InterjectionCultural Expressions

Simbako in Bisaya

The Cebuano/Bisaya word Simbako means “God forbid”. Pronounced seem-BAH-koh, it is used as an interjection across Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and much of Mindanao. This guide covers what Simbako means in Bisaya, how to pronounce it, when to use it, common example sentences, and how it compares to similar Cebuano words.

What Does “Simbako” Mean in Bisaya?

In Bisaya (Cebuano), Simbako translates to “God forbid”.

Bisaya word

Simbako

English meaning

God forbid

Part of speech

Interjection

How to Pronounce “Simbako”

seem-BAH-koh

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 Simbako, put the main stress on the uppercase syllable in seem-BAH-koh. Practice by saying it slowly first, then gradually speed up to natural conversational pace.

“Simbako” in a Sentence — 1 Example

Simbako! Ayaw na'g sultiha.

God forbid! Don't even say it.

Related Bisaya Words

Puhon

Hopefully / by God's will

Puyra buyag

Lest a curse befall (post-compliment)

Cultural Context

A short, sharp prayer-as-interjection. Said when someone mentions something terrible — a verbal flick to push the possibility away. Cebuanos believe naming bad things gives them weight.

Frequently Asked Questions About “Simbako”

What does "Simbako" mean in Bisaya?

"Simbako" means "God forbid" in Bisaya (Cebuano). It is used as an interjection in the Cultural Expressions category.

How do you pronounce "Simbako" in Bisaya?

"Simbako" is pronounced "seem-BAH-koh" 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 "Simbako" Bisaya or Tagalog?

"Simbako" is a Bisaya (Cebuano) word with specific cultural roots in the Visayas. Bisaya and Tagalog are separate languages — the same word can mean something different, or nothing at all, in the other language. "Simbako" (God forbid) 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 "Simbako" should be treated as Bisaya-specific unless verified in a Tagalog source.

Can "Simbako" be used in formal Bisaya?

Yes, "Simbako" is used in both everyday conversation and more formal settings. As an interjection, it appears frequently in spoken Bisaya across all registers.

How do I use "Simbako" in a sentence?

Example: "Simbako! Ayaw na'g sultiha." — "God forbid! Don't even say it.".

Learn More Bisaya

Browse the full dictionary771+ Bisaya words A–Z Common Bisaya phrases300+ real-use expressions Practice flashcardsTest your vocabulary English → Bisaya translatorWord-by-word lookup

Browse Dictionary Practice Flashcards