Expressing Emotions in Bisaya
How to talk about feelings, moods, and emotional states in Cebuano
Overview
Cebuano has a rich vocabulary for emotions. Many emotional states are expressed using na- prefix (completed entry into a state) or nag- (ongoing feeling). POSITIVE EMOTIONS: • Nalipay — Happy / became happy • Nalingaw — Enjoyed / had fun • Nasangpit — Relieved • Nahigugma — Fell in love • Nagmaya — Joyful / celebratory • Malipayon — Happy (adjective form) NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: • Nasad / Nagsubo — Sad (nasad = became sad; nagsubo = feeling sad ongoing) • Nasuko — Angry / got angry • Nakulbaan — Nervous / anxious • Nahadlok — Scared / afraid • Naulaw — Embarrassed • Nahinumdom — Reminiscing / feeling nostalgic • Naluoy — Felt pity / compassion • Naguol — Grieving / sorrowful NEUTRAL / PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL STATES: • Gikapoy — Tired / fatigued • Gigutom — Hungry • Giuhaw — Thirsty • Nag-inusara — Lonely / alone • Naabibo — Excited / enthusiastic EXPRESSING INTENSITY: • Nalipay kaayo ko. — I'm very happy. • Dili ko masuko. — I won't get angry. • Basin makulbaan ka. — You might get nervous.
Examples
Nalipay kaayo ko sa imong gift.
I am so happy with your gift.
💡 Nalipay = became/feeling happy; kaayo = very
Nahadlok ko sa iyang nawong.
I was scared of his face.
💡 Nahadlok = got scared, sa = of/at
Gikapoy na ko, tulog na ko.
I'm already tired, I'll sleep now.
💡 Gi- prefix marks states experienced by the subject
Naulaw ko atubangan niya.
I was embarrassed in front of him.
💡 Atubangan = in front of
Nakulbaan ko sa akong presentasyon.
I was nervous about my presentation.
💡 Sa = about / regarding (can show cause)
Naguol siya sa pagkamatay sa iyang amahan.
She grieved over the death of her father.
💡 Sa pagkamatay = over the death (nominalised verb)
Nag-inusara ko niadtong gabii.
I was lonely last night.
💡 Nag-inusara = feeling alone/lonely
💡 Tips to Remember
- •Na- prefix on emotion roots = 'entered into that state': Nasuko = got angry, Nalipay = became happy.
- •Gi- prefix on bodily states = 'experiencing it': Gikapoy = feeling tired, Gigutom = feeling hungry.
- •Kaayo after an emotion intensifies it: Nalipay kaayo = very happy, Nasuko kaayo = very angry.
- •Malipayon (adjective) vs Nalipay (verb) — use adjective for descriptions, verb for events: 'Siya malipayon' vs 'Nalipay siya.'
- •Cebuanos commonly express sympathy with 'Ay nako!' (Oh my!) or 'Aww, nalooy ko nimo.' (I feel for you.)