Emotionverb
Gimingaw
gee-ming-AW
EnglishMissed (someone or something) / Feeling of longing
Word of the Day · Sunday, April 26, 2026
Gimingaw — Bisaya Word of the Day for April 26, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Gimingaw" is built from the past-tense marker "gi-" and the root "mingaw" (longing, emptiness, stillness) — together they capture a specific emotional state of having-missed that English cannot translate in a single word.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
"Gimingaw" is especially heard from Filipinos living abroad: "Gimingaw ko sa Pilipinas" (I miss the Philippines) is one of the most common things an OFW says — it holds an entire ache of homesickness.
Example Sentences
Reuniting with someone after time apart
Gimingaw ko nimo!
“I missed you!”
Returning home after a long trip
Gimingaw ko sa luto ni Mama.
“I missed Mom's cooking.”
An OFW expressing homesickness
Gimingaw ko sa dagat sa Cebu samtang naa ko sa abroad.
“I missed the sea of Cebu while I was abroad.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Which of these best explains why "gimingaw" is considered untranslatable in English?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Gimingaw" mean in Bisaya?
"Gimingaw" means "Missed (someone or something) / Feeling of longing" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a verb in the Emotion category, pronounced as "gee-ming-AW".
How do you pronounce "Gimingaw" in Cebuano?
"Gimingaw" is pronounced "gee-ming-AW". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Gimingaw" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Gimingaw ko nimo!" — "I missed you!". "Gimingaw" is especially heard from Filipinos living abroad: "Gimingaw ko sa Pilipinas" (I miss the Philippines) is one of the most common things an OFW says — it holds an entire ache of homesickness.
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