English → Bisaya · Family

“Brother” in Bisaya: Igsoon nga lalaki

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “brother” is Igsoon nga lalaki, pronounced eeg-SOH-ohn ngah lah-LAH-kee. It's used as a noun in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

Igsoon nga lalaki

eeg-SOH-ohn ngah lah-LAH-kee

English meaning
Brother
Part of speech
noun

How to pronounce Igsoon nga lalaki

Say it as eeg-SOH-ohn ngah lah-LAH-kee. Capitalized syllables in the pronunciation guide indicate stress — the part of the word you emphasize when speaking. Bisaya stress is meaningful: putting it on the wrong syllable can change the meaning of a word, so it's worth practicing out loud.

Usage note

Literally 'sibling who is male.' Older brother is 'Manong'; younger is 'manghod nga lalaki.'

Synonyms and alternatives

You may also hear Manong, Manghod as alternative ways to express “brother” in Bisaya.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "brother" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "brother" is Igsoon nga lalaki, pronounced eeg-SOH-ohn ngah lah-LAH-kee.
How do you pronounce "Igsoon nga lalaki"?
Pronounce it as eeg-SOH-ohn ngah lah-LAH-kee. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Igsoon nga lalaki" mean in English?
"Igsoon nga lalaki" means "Brother" in English. It functions as a noun in everyday Cebuano conversation.
Is Bisaya the same as Cebuano?
Yes — Bisaya and Cebuano are two names for the same language. Cebuano is the more formal linguistic name, while Bisaya is the everyday name used by speakers themselves. Both refer to the language spoken by 22+ million Filipinos. Read more in our Bisaya vs Binisaya guide.

Continue learning Bisaya

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