Descriptionadjective
Maayo
mah-AH-yo
EnglishGood / Fine / Well
Word of the Day · Monday, May 18, 2026
Maayo — Bisaya Word of the Day for May 18, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Maayo" is the seed word behind every daily greeting in Bisaya — "maayong buntag," "maayong hapon," "maayong gabii" all literally translate to "good [time of day]."
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
When someone asks "Kumusta ka?" (how are you), replying "Maayo ra" (I'm fine) is the default answer even when things aren't fine — genuine complaints usually only surface with close family or friends.
Example Sentences
Standard response to "how are you"
Maayo ra ko, salamat.
“I'm fine, thank you.”
Praising someone's output
Maayo kaayo ang iyang trabaho.
“His/her work is very good.”
A joking comparison
Maayo pa ang tulog kaysa magmata sayo.
“Sleeping in is better than waking up early.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Which everyday Bisaya greeting is built directly from the word "maayo"?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Maayo" mean in Bisaya?
"Maayo" means "Good / Fine / Well" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a adjective in the Description category, pronounced as "mah-AH-yo".
How do you pronounce "Maayo" in Cebuano?
"Maayo" is pronounced "mah-AH-yo". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Maayo" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Maayo ra ko, salamat." — "I'm fine, thank you.". When someone asks "Kumusta ka?" (how are you), replying "Maayo ra" (I'm fine) is the default answer even when things aren't fine — genuine complaints usually only surface with close family or friends.
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