Grammarpronoun
Siya
SEE-yah
EnglishHe / She
Word of the Day · Friday, July 10, 2026
Siya — Bisaya Word of the Day for July 10, 2026
Origin & Etymology
Bisaya, like most Philippine languages, has no separate word for "he" versus "she" — "siya" is entirely gender-neutral, which occasionally causes momentary confusion when Filipino speakers switch to English.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
This grammatical gender-neutrality is sometimes cited as one small reason Filipino culture has historically been comparatively fluid about discussing gender identity in everyday language, though the topic is broader than grammar alone.
Example Sentences
Introducing a family member
Siya ang akong manghod.
“He/She is my younger sibling.”
Asking about someone's arrival
Nag-abot na ba siya?
“Has he/she arrived yet?”
Describing giving a gift
Gihatagan nako siya ug regalo.
“I gave him/her a gift.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Does Bisaya have separate words for "he" and "she"?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Siya" mean in Bisaya?
"Siya" means "He / She" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a pronoun in the Grammar category, pronounced as "SEE-yah".
How do you pronounce "Siya" in Cebuano?
"Siya" is pronounced "SEE-yah". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Siya" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Siya ang akong manghod." — "He/She is my younger sibling.". This grammatical gender-neutrality is sometimes cited as one small reason Filipino culture has historically been comparatively fluid about discussing gender identity in everyday language, though the topic is broader than grammar alone.
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