English → Bisaya · Common Phrases
“I don't know” in Bisaya: Wala ko kahibalo
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “I don't know” is Wala ko kahibalo, pronounced wah-LAH koh kah-hee-BAH-loh. 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
Wala ko kahibalo
wah-LAH koh kah-hee-BAH-loh
- English meaning
- I don't know
- Part of speech
- phrase
How to pronounce Wala ko kahibalo
Say it as wah-LAH koh kah-hee-BAH-loh. 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
Wala ko kahibalo asa siya karon.
“I don't know where she is now.”
Usage note
'Kahibalo' means knowledge. A shorter casual form is 'Ambot' which means 'who knows / I don't know.'
Synonyms and alternatives
You may also hear Ambot, Wala ko kabalo as alternative ways to express “I don't know” in Bisaya.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "I don't know" in Bisaya?
How do you pronounce "Wala ko kahibalo"?
What does "Wala ko kahibalo" mean in English?
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Is Bisaya the same as Cebuano?
Continue learning Bisaya
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