English → Bisaya · Celebrations
How to Say “Happy new year” in Bisaya: Maayong Bag-ong Tuig
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “happy new year” is Maayong Bag-ong Tuig, pronounced mah-AH-yong BAH-gong too-EEG. It's used as a phrase in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.
Bisaya translation
Maayong Bag-ong Tuig
mah-AH-yong BAH-gong too-EEG
- English meaning
- Happy New Year
- Part of speech
- phrase
How to pronounce Maayong Bag-ong Tuig
Say it as mah-AH-yong BAH-gong too-EEG. 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.
Example sentences
Maayong Bag-ong Tuig sa inyo!
“Happy New Year to all of you!”
Bag-ong tuig na — sana mamaayo pa ang tanan.
“It's a new year — hoping everything gets better.”
Cultural context
New Year's in the Philippines is an explosion — fireworks start weeks before midnight and the streets fill with noise to drive away bad spirits. In Bisaya homes, round fruits are placed on the table for abundance and doors and windows are opened at midnight to let good luck in.
Usage note
'Bag-ong Tuig' literally means 'new year.' The word 'tuig' is the native Cebuano word for year (contrast Tagalog 'taon'). Combined: 'Maayong Bag-ong Tuig!' — a Blessed/Good New Year! Often paired with Maayong Pasko: 'Maayong Pasko ug Bulahang Bag-ong Tuig!'
Common phrases using Maayong Bag-ong Tuig
- Maayong Bag-ong Tuig!·Happy New Year!
- Bulahang Bag-ong Tuig!·Blessed New Year!
- Maayong Pasko ug Bulahang Bag-ong Tuig!·Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Synonyms and alternatives
You may also hear Bulahang Bag-ong Tuig, Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig as alternative ways to express “happy new year” in Bisaya.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "happy new year" in Bisaya?
How do you pronounce "Maayong Bag-ong Tuig"?
What does "Maayong Bag-ong Tuig" mean in English?
How do you use "Maayong Bag-ong Tuig" in a sentence?
Is Bisaya the same as Cebuano?
Continue learning Bisaya
More than just translations.
Browse the full Bisaya dictionary, compare words across all five Visayan languages, or jump into our beginner's guide.