Bisaya Grammar · Lesson 14 of 30
Commands and Requests
Giving instructions and making polite requests
Overview
Examples & Usage
Kaon! (Eat!), Lakaw! (Walk/Go!)
Direct commands
Base form of verb for commands
Palihug lingkod
Please sit down
'Palihug' (please) makes it polite
Sulod lang
Just come in / Please come in
'Lang' softens the command
Ayaw kalimot!
Don't forget!
'Ayaw' + verb root for negative commands
Hinay-hinay lang
Slowly please / Take it easy
Reduplicated adjective + 'lang' for gentle instructions
Hatag nako ang libro
Give me the book
Verb + indirect object + direct object
Pwede ba nimo tabangan ko?
Can you please help me?
'Pwede ba' + pronoun + verb for polite requests
Key Tips
- 1'Palihug' (please) can come before or after the verb
- 2'Lang' softens commands and makes them more polite
- 3Use 'ayaw' + verb root for 'don't': Ayaw hilak (Don't cry)
- 4'Dali' at the start means 'Come on' or adds urgency: Dali, kaon ta! (Come on, let's eat!)
- 5Adding 'ba' makes commands into polite requests: Sulod ba (Please come in?)
Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge
5 questions · select the best answer for each
1.Which word makes a command more polite in Bisaya?
2.'Sulod lang.' What does 'lang' do here?
3.How do you say 'Don't forget!' in Bisaya?
4.'Dali na!' What is the speaker expressing?
5.Which is the most polite way to ask someone to sit down?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a polite request in Bisaya?
Add 'palihug' (please) before the verb: 'Palihug lingkod' (Please sit down). Or soften the command with 'lang' (just/please): 'Sulod lang' (Just come in / Please come in). Adding 'ba' asks permission more gently: 'Hatag ba nako' (Please give it to me). Combining 'palihug' and 'lang' is extra polite: 'Palihug sulod lang.' With elders, always use 'palihug' — it signals respect and good upbringing.
What is the difference between a direct command and a request in Bisaya?
A direct command uses just the verb base: 'Kaon!' (Eat!), 'Sulod!' (Enter!). This is appropriate for children or urgent situations but sounds harsh between adults. A request softens with particles: 'Kaon lang' (Please eat), 'Sulod na lang' (Just come in). The most polite form uses 'palihug': 'Palihug kaon' (Please eat). Using 'pwede ba' constructs: 'Pwede ba nimo hatagan ko?' (Could you give me?) is extremely polite.
How does 'lang' soften commands in Bisaya?
'Lang' is a versatile softening particle in Bisaya. After a command, it means 'just' or 'go ahead' and reduces the abruptness: 'Lingkod lang' (Just sit / Feel free to sit). It signals that the action is no trouble and the listener shouldn't hesitate. 'Lang' also appears in other contexts to minimize or downplay: 'Gamay lang' (Just a little), 'Ako lang' (Just me). It is one of the most frequently used discourse particles in Bisaya.
How do I tell someone to hurry up in Bisaya?
'Dali' means 'come on / hurry up / quick.' 'Dali na!' (Come on already!), 'Dali-dali' (Hurry hurry!). For a gentler urge: 'Dali lang' (Come on, quickly / almost there). In combination: 'Dali, moadto na ta!' (Come on, let's go now!). The intensity escalates with repetition and tone. 'Madugay ta' (We'll be late / We're taking too long) is often added as justification.
How do I ask someone to help me in Bisaya?
'Palihug tabang ko' (Please help me) is the standard polite request. More formal: 'Pwede ba nimo ko tabangan?' (Can you help me?). In urgent situations: 'Tabang! Tabang!' (Help! Help!). To ask specifically: 'Pwede ba nimo kuhaa ang akong bag?' (Could you get my bag?). 'Pakitabang' uses the 'paki-' prefix meaning 'please do this for me': 'Pakitabang lang' (Please help me out).
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