Grammarpronoun
Kini
KEE-nee
Englishthis (near speaker)
Word of the Day · Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Kini — Bisaya Word of the Day for June 2, 2026
Origin & Etymology
Bisaya demonstratives work on a three-way distance system: "kini" (near the speaker), "kana" (near the listener), "kadto" (far from both) — a level of spatial precision English's "this/that" doesn't capture.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
The short form "ni" replaces "kini" constantly in casual speech — "pila ni?" (how much is this?) is far more common than the fuller "pila kini?"
Example Sentences
Choosing an item while shopping
Kini ang akong gusto nga sinina.
“This is the dress I want.”
Asking about an item's owner
Kinsa ni'y tag-iya?
“Who owns this?”
Pointing out a specific book
Kini nga libro maoy akong gibasa.
“This book is the one I'm reading.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Which demonstrative do you use for something far from both speaker and listener?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Kini" mean in Bisaya?
"Kini" means "this (near speaker)" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a pronoun in the Grammar category, pronounced as "KEE-nee".
How do you pronounce "Kini" in Cebuano?
"Kini" is pronounced "KEE-nee". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Kini" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Kini ang akong gusto nga sinina." — "This is the dress I want.". The short form "ni" replaces "kini" constantly in casual speech — "pila ni?" (how much is this?) is far more common than the fuller "pila kini?"
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