Expressioninterjection
Sayang
SA-yang
Englishwhat a waste / what a pity / too bad
Word of the Day · Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Sayang — Bisaya Word of the Day for September 9, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Sayang" expresses regret over a missed opportunity or wasted resource — food thrown away, a chance not taken, effort spent for nothing — a single flexible word covering many kinds of loss.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
"Sayang" said about food specifically ties into a deep cultural discomfort with wasting food, rooted in generations of hardship — cleaning your plate and avoiding "sayang" moments is instilled early in most Filipino households.
Example Sentences
Reacting to leftover food
Sayang ang pagkaon nga wa mahurot.
“It's a waste that the food wasn't finished.”
Reacting to a missed opportunity
Sayang, wa siya nakaapil sa contest.
“Too bad, he/she wasn't able to join the contest.”
Reacting to wasted effort
Sayang kaayo ang tanang paningkamot niya.
“All his/her effort was such a waste.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Why does "sayang" carry particular weight when said about food in Filipino culture?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Sayang" mean in Bisaya?
"Sayang" means "what a waste / what a pity / too bad" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a interjection in the Expression category, pronounced as "SA-yang".
How do you pronounce "Sayang" in Cebuano?
"Sayang" is pronounced "SA-yang". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Sayang" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Sayang ang pagkaon nga wa mahurot." — "It's a waste that the food wasn't finished.". "Sayang" said about food specifically ties into a deep cultural discomfort with wasting food, rooted in generations of hardship — cleaning your plate and avoiding "sayang" moments is instilled early in most Filipino households.
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