Tagalog → Bisaya · Romance

Tagalog “Mahal kita” in Bisaya: Gihigugma tika

The Tagalog word “mahal kita” translates to Gihigugma tika in Bisaya (Cebuano), pronounced gee-hee-GOOG-mah TEE-kah. In English, it means “I love you.” Bisaya is spoken by over 22 million people across the Visayas and Mindanao — the second most widely spoken language in the Philippines after Tagalog.

Bisaya translation

Gihigugma tika

gee-hee-GOOG-mah TEE-kah

English meaning
I love you
Part of speech
phrase

How to pronounce Gihigugma tika

Say it as gee-hee-GOOG-mah TEE-kah. 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

  • Gihigugma tika, palangga.

    “I love you, my dear.”

Usage note

The Tagalog 'mahal kita' translates directly to the Bisaya 'Gihigugma tika.' Casual: 'Palangga tika.'

Synonyms and alternatives

You may also hear Palangga tika as alternative ways to express “mahal kita” in Bisaya.

Frequently asked questions

What is "mahal kita" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya translation of the Tagalog word "mahal kita" is Gihigugma tika, pronounced gee-hee-GOOG-mah TEE-kah. In English, it means "I love you."
How do you pronounce "Gihigugma tika"?
Pronounce it as gee-hee-GOOG-mah TEE-kah. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Gihigugma tika" mean in English?
"Gihigugma tika" means "I love you" in English. It functions as a phrase in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Gihigugma tika" in a sentence?
Example: "Gihigugma tika, palangga." — I love you, my dear.
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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