Bisaya Grammar · Lesson 23 of 30
Making Comparisons in Bisaya
How to say more, most, less, and equal using mas, labing, and kaysa
Overview
Examples & Usage
Mas dako si Kuya kaysa nako.
My older brother is bigger than me.
Mas + adjective + kaysa = comparative
Labing maayo kini nga dalan.
This is the best road.
Labing + adjective = superlative
Mas mahal ang karne kaysa isda.
Meat is more expensive than fish.
Comparing two nouns with kaysa
Siya ang labing gamay sa tanan.
She is the smallest of all.
Labing + adjective + sa tanan = superlative among a group
Kapareha mi og tulog.
We sleep the same amount.
Kapareha = equal / the same
Mas paspas ang bus kaysa jeep.
The bus is faster than the jeepney.
Mas + adjective + kaysa comparing two things
Labing gusto nako ang lechon.
Lechon is my favorite (most liked).
Labing + gusto = most preferred
Key Tips
- 1Mas always comes before the adjective: mas dako, mas maayo, mas paspas.
- 2Kaysa means 'than' — it comes after the first item being compared.
- 3Labing is like saying 'the most' in English: labing dako = the biggest.
- 4You can drop kaysa in casual speech: Mas dako siya. (She's bigger.) — bigger than implied.
- 5Labing maayo (best) and mas maayo (better) are extremely common in daily Bisaya.
Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge
5 questions · select the best answer for each
1.How do you say 'bigger' in Bisaya?
2.'Mas mahal kini kaysa niadto.' What does 'kaysa' mean?
3.How do you say 'the best' in Bisaya?
4.'Kapareha mi og edad.' What does this mean?
5.Which means 'the fastest'?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'better' and 'best' in Bisaya?
'Mas maayo' = better (comparative), 'Labing maayo' = best (superlative). 'Mas maayo ang kape kaysa tsa' (Coffee is better than tea). 'Siya ang labing maayo sa tanan' (She is the best of all). These two are among the most frequently used comparison expressions in everyday Bisaya. 'Labing maayo na' (That's best / It's best now) is a very common phrase to close a decision.
Is 'kaysa' always required in comparisons?
'Kaysa' (than) is required in formal comparisons and when the thing being compared to is named: 'Mas dako siya kaysa nako' (She is bigger than me). In casual speech, 'kaysa' is often dropped when the comparison is implied: 'Mas dako siya' (She is bigger — bigger than the other person is understood from context). Always include 'kaysa' when precision matters or in writing.
What is the difference between 'labing' and 'pinaka-' for superlatives?
Both form superlatives but are used slightly differently. 'Labing' + adjective: 'Labing dako' (the biggest / the largest). 'Pinaka-' prefix: 'Pinakadako' (the biggest). Both are equally correct and commonly used. 'Pinaka-' attaches directly to the adjective as a prefix. 'Labing' is a separate word placed before. In practice, both are heard frequently — choosing either is acceptable.
How do I say things are equal or the same?
'Kapareha' (same as / equal) is used for equality: 'Kapareha mi og taas' (We are the same height). 'Sama kaayo' or 'parehas' are alternatives: 'Parehas mi og edad' (We are the same age). For expressing 'as...as': 'Kadako nako' (as big as me) or 'Sama kadako nako' (as big as me). The equality construction is less complex than comparatives — just 'kapareha' or 'parehas' before the quality being equated.
How do I say 'less' (inferiority) in Bisaya?
Bisaya expresses inferiority with 'dili kaayo + adjective + kaysa' or simply 'mas gamay/mubo' for physical properties. 'Dili kaayo mahal kini kaysa niadto' (This is less expensive than that). For more common expressions: 'Mas barato' (cheaper/less expensive), 'Mas mubo' (shorter), 'Mas gamay' (smaller). In everyday speech, Cebuanos usually frame things positively ('mas barato' rather than 'less expensive'), so 'mas' + opposite adjective is often more natural.
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