Phraseadverb
Wala
wah-LAH
EnglishNone / Nothing / Don't have
Word of the Day · Sunday, August 23, 2026
Wala — Bisaya Word of the Day for August 23, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Wala" negates existence or completed action — "wala koy kwarta" (I have no money) versus "dili ko mangayo" (I won't ask), a distinction between "there is none" and "I will not" that's core to Bisaya grammar.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
"Wala" also confusingly doubles as the direction word for "left" (opposite of "tuo") — two completely unrelated meanings sharing one spelling, disambiguated entirely by context.
Example Sentences
Declining due to lack of funds
Wala koy kwarta karon, sunod na lang.
“I have no money right now, next time.”
Describing a delayed arrival
Wala pa siya moabot hangtod karon.
“He/She still hasn't arrived until now.”
Giving directions using the other meaning of "wala"
Liko sa wala aron makaabot sa dalan.
“Turn left to reach the road.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Besides meaning "none/nothing," what unrelated meaning does "wala" also have?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Wala" mean in Bisaya?
"Wala" means "None / Nothing / Don't have" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a adverb in the Phrase category, pronounced as "wah-LAH".
How do you pronounce "Wala" in Cebuano?
"Wala" is pronounced "wah-LAH". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Wala" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Wala koy kwarta karon, sunod na lang." — "I have no money right now, next time.". "Wala" also confusingly doubles as the direction word for "left" (opposite of "tuo") — two completely unrelated meanings sharing one spelling, disambiguated entirely by context.
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