English → Bisaya · Expressions

“Wow” in Bisaya: grabe

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “wow” is grabe, pronounced GRA-be. It's used as a interjection in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

grabe

GRA-be

English meaning
wow / intense / extreme / incredible
Part of speech
interjection

How to pronounce grabe

Say it as GRA-be. 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

  • Grabe kaayo ang ulan kagabii!

    “The rain last night was so intense!”

Usage note

One of the most versatile Bisaya expressions. Can express awe, disbelief, admiration, or shock.

Related Bisaya words

Pastilan

Oh my goodness! / Wow!

pahs-TEE-lahn

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "wow" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "wow" is grabe, pronounced GRA-be.
How do you pronounce "grabe"?
Pronounce it as GRA-be. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "grabe" mean in English?
"grabe" means "wow / intense / extreme / incredible" in English. It functions as a interjection in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "grabe" in a sentence?
Example: "Grabe kaayo ang ulan kagabii!" — The rain last night was so intense!
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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Browse the full Bisaya dictionary, compare words across all five Visayan languages, or jump into our beginner's guide.

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