Emotionnoun
Gugma
GOOG-mah
EnglishLove (noun)
Word of the Day · Sunday, June 21, 2026
Gugma — Bisaya Word of the Day for June 21, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Gugma" is the pure noun form of love in Bisaya, appearing constantly in Visayan love songs, poetry (balak), and old literature — it carries a slightly more literary weight than "mahal."
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
Cebuano "balak" (poetry) has a long tradition of using "gugma" as its central theme, similar to how English poetry leans on "love" — it's considered a beautiful, weighty word, not a casual one.
Example Sentences
Describing unconditional parental love
Ang gugma sa ginikanan walay katapusan.
“A parent's love has no end.”
Describing creative writing
Nagsulat siya'g balak bahin sa gugma.
“He/She wrote a poem about love.”
A romantic declaration
Wala nay lain nga gugma sama niini.
“There's no other love like this.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
What traditional Cebuano art form frequently centers on "gugma" as its theme?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Gugma" mean in Bisaya?
"Gugma" means "Love (noun)" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a noun in the Emotion category, pronounced as "GOOG-mah".
How do you pronounce "Gugma" in Cebuano?
"Gugma" is pronounced "GOOG-mah". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Gugma" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Ang gugma sa ginikanan walay katapusan." — "A parent's love has no end.". Cebuano "balak" (poetry) has a long tradition of using "gugma" as its central theme, similar to how English poetry leans on "love" — it's considered a beautiful, weighty word, not a casual one.
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