Bisaya Grammar · Lesson 26 of 30
Body Parts in Bisaya
Essential vocabulary for body parts — useful for health, descriptions, and everyday conversation
Overview
Examples & Usage
Sakit ang akong ulo.
My head hurts.
Sakit + ang + possessed body part = [body part] hurts
Nindot ang iyang mata.
Her eyes are beautiful.
Nindot = beautiful/nice, mata = eyes
Nasamdan ang akong kamot.
My hand got hurt.
Nasamdan = got injured
Dugay na akong sakit ang tiyan.
My stomach has been hurting for a while.
Dugay na = for a long time already
Masakit ang akong tuhod pag mobarog.
My knee hurts when I stand up.
Pag + verb = when [action happens]
Ibaba ang imo bukton.
Lower your arm.
Ibaba = lower/bring down, bukton = arm
Nag-ubo siya ug nasakit ang iyang liog.
She was coughing and her neck hurt.
Nag-ubo = was coughing, liog = neck
Key Tips
- 1To say something hurts: 'Sakit ang akong [body part].' — very common pattern.
- 2Kamot means hand; Tiil means foot — don't mix them up.
- 3Mata (eye) has no plural form change — context tells you one or two.
- 4Dughan is used for chest in general; puso specifically means heart (also used figuratively for love).
- 5When pointing to body parts, Cebuanos often gesture while speaking — this helps communication.
Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge
5 questions · select the best answer for each
1.How do you say 'My head hurts' in Bisaya?
2.What does 'tiil' mean in Bisaya?
3.What is the Bisaya word for 'stomach'?
4.'Nag-ubo siya.' What does this mean?
5.How do you say 'I have a fever' in Bisaya?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'my _____ hurts' in Bisaya?
'Sakit ang akong + body part' is the standard pain expression. 'Sakit ang akong ulo' (My head hurts), 'Sakit ang akong tiyan' (My stomach hurts), 'Sakit ang akong ngipon' (My tooth aches). 'Sakit' means pain/hurt. In urgent situations, just 'Sakit!' with gesturing is understood. More specific: 'Sakit kaayo ang akong tiil' (My foot hurts very much).
How do I talk about injuries or body problems?
Several patterns for describing body problems: 'Nasamdan ang akong kamot' (My hand is injured/wounded — nasamdan = got injured). 'Nangawat ang akong bukton' (My arm is itchy — nangawat = is itching). 'Napilay ang akong tiil' (My foot is sprained). 'Nagpugot ang akong liog' (My neck is stiff). Combining 'nag-' or 'na-' with descriptive roots gives you a wide vocabulary for physical complaints.
What is the difference between 'ulo', 'ngipon', and 'ngilit'?
'Ulo' = head (the whole head). 'Ngipon' = tooth/teeth. 'Ngilit' = the edge/side (not a body part — can mean 'edge' of a surface). For dental pain: 'Sakit ang akong ngipon' (My tooth hurts). For headache: 'Sakit ang akong ulo' or 'Nagsakit akong ulo' (I have a headache). For more specific dental areas: 'Ngipon' covers teeth in general; there's no common separate Bisaya word for molar specifically beyond 'ngipon sa likod' (back tooth).
How do I describe symptoms to a doctor or pharmacist in Bisaya?
Start with location + 'sakit': 'Sakit ang akong tiyan' (My stomach hurts). Add specific feelings: 'Init ang akong lawas' (My body is hot — I have a fever), 'Nagpawas ko' (I'm sweating), 'Nag-ubo ko' (I'm coughing), 'Nagsinat ko' (I have a fever). For duration: 'Sugod gahapon' (Since yesterday). These patterns cover the most common clinic communication needs.
How does Bisaya talk about the face and facial features?
Key facial vocabulary: 'Nawong' = face, 'Mata' = eye/eyes, 'Ilong' = nose, 'Ngabil' = lips, 'Baba' = mouth, 'Dunggan' = ear, 'Kilay' = eyebrow, 'Pilas/Pasing' = cheek. 'Maanyag ang iyang nawong' (Her face is beautiful). 'Dako ang iyang ilong' (Her/his nose is big). 'Ang iyang mata pula' (Her/his eyes are red). These words appear constantly in descriptions, storytelling, and medical contexts.
Keep learning Bisaya
Combine grammar study with real phrases and daily practice to build fluency faster.
Talk Bisaya — the language of 22 million Filipinos, the language of your loved ones.