English → Bisaya · Demonstratives

That (near listener)” in Bisaya: Kana

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “that (near listener)” is Kana, pronounced KAH-nah. It's used as a pronoun in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

Kana

KAH-nah

English meaning
that (near listener)
Part of speech
pronoun

How to pronounce Kana

Say it as KAH-nah. 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

  • Unsa kana sa imong kamot?

    What's that in your hand?

  • Kana nga libro akoa.

    That book is mine.

Usage note

Refers to something near the listener — not the speaker. The most common learner mistake is reaching for kadto when kana is correct.

Synonyms and alternatives

You may also hear Na, Nang as alternative ways to express “that (near listener)” in Bisaya.

Related Bisaya words

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "that (near listener)" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "that (near listener)" is Kana, pronounced KAH-nah.
How do you pronounce "Kana"?
Pronounce it as KAH-nah. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Kana" mean in English?
"Kana" means "that (near listener)" in English. It functions as a pronoun in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Kana" in a sentence?
Example: "Unsa kana sa imong kamot?" — What's that in your hand?
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

More than just translations.

Browse the full Bisaya dictionary, compare words across all five Visayan languages, or jump into our beginner's guide.