Inahan
ee-NAH-han
EnglishMother
Word of the Day · Thursday, April 30, 2026
ee-NAH-han
EnglishMother
"Inahan" is the native Bisaya word for mother, distinct from the Tagalog "nanay" — this difference highlights how Visayan languages developed their own vocabulary for the most intimate family roles, independent of Tagalog influence.
Mother's Day is deeply celebrated in the Philippines; "Inyong inahan" is also a term of respect when referring to someone else's mother, showing the reverence Bisaya culture places on motherhood.
Ang akong inahan mao ang akong bayani.
“My mother is my hero.”
Gihuwatan sa inahan ang iyang anak sa eskwelahan.
“The mother waited for her child at school.”
Mahal ko ang akong inahan labaw sa tanan.
“I love my mother above all else.”
Quick Quiz
What is the Tagalog equivalent of the Bisaya word "inahan"?
"Inahan" means "Mother" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a noun in the Family category, pronounced as "ee-NAH-han".
"Inahan" is pronounced "ee-NAH-han". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
Example: "Ang akong inahan mao ang akong bayani." — "My mother is my hero.". Mother's Day is deeply celebrated in the Philippines; "Inyong inahan" is also a term of respect when referring to someone else's mother, showing the reverence Bisaya culture places on motherhood.
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