Shoppingphrase
Mahal kaayo
mah-HAHL kah-AH-yo
EnglishToo expensive
Word of the Day · Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Mahal kaayo — Bisaya Word of the Day for June 23, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Mahal" alone can mean both "expensive" and "dear/beloved" — a homograph that trips up learners, but "mahal kaayo" in a shopping context is unambiguously about price, not affection.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
Saying "mahal kaayo" out loud at a stall is itself a bargaining move — it signals to the vendor that you're expecting a lower counter-offer, part of the polite ritual dance of Filipino market haggling.
Example Sentences
Negotiating a price
Mahal kaayo ni, naa bay barato?
“This is too expensive, is there a cheaper one?”
Commenting on rising prices
Mahal kaayo ang gasolina karon.
“Gasoline is very expensive right now.”
Describing a complaint about transport cost
Nagreklamo siya nga mahal kaayo ang pamasahe.
“He/She complained that the fare is too expensive.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Besides "expensive," what other meaning can the word "mahal" carry on its own?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Mahal kaayo" mean in Bisaya?
"Mahal kaayo" means "Too expensive" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a phrase in the Shopping category, pronounced as "mah-HAHL kah-AH-yo".
How do you pronounce "Mahal kaayo" in Cebuano?
"Mahal kaayo" is pronounced "mah-HAHL kah-AH-yo". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Mahal kaayo" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Mahal kaayo ni, naa bay barato?" — "This is too expensive, is there a cheaper one?". Saying "mahal kaayo" out loud at a stall is itself a bargaining move — it signals to the vendor that you're expecting a lower counter-offer, part of the polite ritual dance of Filipino market haggling.
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