Forming Questions

The seven key question words: Unsa (What), Kinsa (Who), Asa (Where), Kanus-a (When), Ngano (Why), Pila (How much/many), and Unsaon (How to do something). All come at the beginning of the sentence just like English — Bisaya does not invert word order to form questions. Learning these seven words unlocks almost all the question structures you need for everyday conversation.

'Ba' is a yes/no question particle. Adding 'ba' to any statement turns it into a question: 'Gusto ka ug kape' (You want coffee) → 'Gusto ka ba ug kape?' (Do you want coffee?). 'Ba' typically appears after the subject or first pronoun. It can be omitted in casual speech when rising intonation makes the question clear. 'Ba' is important in formal or written contexts.

'Asa' is the standard Cebuano Bisaya word for 'where.' 'Diin' is used in some dialects, particularly in parts of Eastern Visayas (Waray influence) and some Bohol dialects. In Cebu City and standard Cebuano learning materials, 'asa' is the default. Both are understood throughout the Bisaya-speaking regions. For learners, stick with 'asa' — it's the safest and most widely understood choice.

Bisaya uses 'Pila ang imong edad?' (literally: How much is your age?). 'Pila' covers 'how much' and 'how many' — it's used for all quantity questions including age. Alternatively: 'Pila na ka tuig?' (How many years are you now?). You can also ask more casually: 'Pila naka?' The response is a number: 'Baynte singko' (25) or 'Baynte singko na ko' (I am already 25).

'Unsaon pag-adto sa...?' is the pattern for asking how to get somewhere. 'Unsaon' comes from 'unsa' (what) + '-on' (verb-focus suffix), meaning roughly 'how is it done.' 'Unsaon pag-adto sa SM?' (How do I get to SM?). Alternatively: 'Asa ang dalan padulong sa...?' (What is the road/way going to...?). Both are used by locals when asking for directions.