NounRomantic

Uyab in Bisaya

The Cebuano/Bisaya word Uyab means “boyfriend / girlfriend / partner”. Pronounced OO-yahb, it is used as a noun across Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and much of Mindanao. This guide covers what Uyab means in Bisaya, how to pronounce it, when to use it, common example sentences, and how it compares to similar Cebuano words.

What Does “Uyab” Mean in Bisaya?

In Bisaya (Cebuano), Uyab translates to “boyfriend / girlfriend / partner”. The word covers closely related meanings — boyfriend, girlfriend, partner — the right one depends on context.

Usage note: Gender-neutral. The DTR question Uyab ta? is the Cebuano version of are we exclusive?

Bisaya word

Uyab

English meaning

boyfriend

Part of speech

Noun

How to Pronounce “Uyab”

OO-yahb

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

“Uyab” in a Sentence — 2 Examples

Akong uyab gikan sa Davao.

My partner is from Davao.

Wala pa siyay uyab.

She/he doesn't have a partner yet.

Related Bisaya Words

Pinangga

beloved / cherished

Asawa

Spouse / Husband / Wife

Bana

Husband

jowa

partner / boyfriend / girlfriend (casual slang)

Frequently Asked Questions About “Uyab”

What does "Uyab" mean in Bisaya?

"Uyab" means "boyfriend / girlfriend / partner" in Bisaya (Cebuano). Gender-neutral. The DTR question Uyab ta? is the Cebuano version of are we exclusive? It is used as a noun in the Romantic category.

How do you pronounce "Uyab" in Bisaya?

"Uyab" is pronounced "OO-yahb" 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 "Uyab" Bisaya or Tagalog?

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

Can "Uyab" be used in formal Bisaya?

Yes, "Uyab" is used in both everyday conversation and more formal settings. Gender-neutral. The DTR question Uyab ta? is the Cebuano version of are we exclusive?

How do I use "Uyab" in a sentence?

Example: "Akong uyab gikan sa Davao." — "My partner is from Davao.". Another example: "Wala pa siyay uyab." — "She/he doesn't have a partner yet.".

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