Expressioninterjection
Hala
HA-la
Englishwatch out! / uh-oh! / expression of warning or taunting
Word of the Day · Thursday, August 20, 2026
Hala — Bisaya Word of the Day for August 20, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Hala" swings between a genuine warning ("watch out!") and a playful taunt ("uh-oh, you're in trouble now") — the same short word doing very different social work depending on who's speaking to whom.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
Kids taunting each other with a drawn-out "halaaa!" when someone's about to get scolded is a near-universal, instantly recognizable sound across Filipino childhoods, cutting across regions and generations.
Example Sentences
Warning someone of danger
Hala! Mahulog na ka!
“Watch out! You're about to fall!”
Teasingly warning a friend
Hala, nasudlan ka na sa problema!
“Uh-oh, now you're in trouble!”
A sibling taunting another about impending trouble
Hala ka, gikasab-an na ka sa Mama!
“Uh-oh, Mom's already going to scold you!”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Can "hala" be used both as a genuine warning and a playful taunt?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Hala" mean in Bisaya?
"Hala" means "watch out! / uh-oh! / expression of warning or taunting" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a interjection in the Expression category, pronounced as "HA-la".
How do you pronounce "Hala" in Cebuano?
"Hala" is pronounced "HA-la". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Hala" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Hala! Mahulog na ka!" — "Watch out! You're about to fall!". Kids taunting each other with a drawn-out "halaaa!" when someone's about to get scolded is a near-universal, instantly recognizable sound across Filipino childhoods, cutting across regions and generations.
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