Relationshipnoun
Bana
BAH-nah
EnglishHusband
Word of the Day · Friday, June 26, 2026
Bana — Bisaya Word of the Day for June 26, 2026
Origin & Etymology
Unlike the gender-neutral "asawa," "bana" specifically means husband — its counterpart for wife specifically is "asawa" used in context, since Bisaya doesn't have a separate dedicated word exclusively for "wife."
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
"Bana-asawa" as a combined phrase refers to a married couple as a unit, often used in community or church contexts when addressing both spouses together.
Example Sentences
Talking about a husband's occupation
Ang akong bana nagtrabaho sa barko.
“My husband works on a ship.”
Describing a couple at an event
Nag-uban ang bana-asawa sa fiesta.
“The husband and wife attended the fiesta together.”
Talking about an OFW spouse's longing
Gimingaw na ang iyang bana kaniya.
“Her husband already misses her.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
What does the combined phrase "bana-asawa" refer to?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Bana" mean in Bisaya?
"Bana" means "Husband" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a noun in the Relationship category, pronounced as "BAH-nah".
How do you pronounce "Bana" in Cebuano?
"Bana" is pronounced "BAH-nah". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Bana" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Ang akong bana nagtrabaho sa barko." — "My husband works on a ship.". "Bana-asawa" as a combined phrase refers to a married couple as a unit, often used in community or church contexts when addressing both spouses together.
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