Grammarpronoun
Kami
kah-MEE
EnglishWe (exclusive)
Word of the Day · Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Kami — Bisaya Word of the Day for August 25, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Kami" is the exclusive "we" — it deliberately leaves the listener out of the group being referred to, the direct counterpart to the inclusive "kita" covered earlier in this series.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
Mixing up "kami" and "kita" is a classic, harmless learner mistake, but native speakers do notice — accidentally excluding someone with "kami" when you meant to include them can create a small, confusing moment.
Example Sentences
Clarifying who specifically is responsible, excluding the listener
Kami ni Manuel ang mag-atiman sa negosyo.
“Manuel and I (not you) will manage the business.”
Explaining what happened without the listener
Nangaon na kami sa balay ganina.
“We (not including you) already ate at home earlier.”
Excluding the listener from shared knowledge
Kami ra ang nahibalo ani nga sekreto.
“Only we (not you) know this secret.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
What's the direct counterpart of "kami" (exclusive we)?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Kami" mean in Bisaya?
"Kami" means "We (exclusive)" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a pronoun in the Grammar category, pronounced as "kah-MEE".
How do you pronounce "Kami" in Cebuano?
"Kami" is pronounced "kah-MEE". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Kami" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Kami ni Manuel ang mag-atiman sa negosyo." — "Manuel and I (not you) will manage the business.". Mixing up "kami" and "kita" is a classic, harmless learner mistake, but native speakers do notice — accidentally excluding someone with "kami" when you meant to include them can create a small, confusing moment.
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