Grammarquestion
Pila
PEE-lah
EnglishHow much / How many
Word of the Day · Saturday, September 12, 2026
Pila — Bisaya Word of the Day for September 12, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Pila" alone asks about quantity — combined with "ni" it becomes the famous shopping phrase "pila ni?", and combined with time units it asks things like "pila ka bulan?" (how many months?).
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
"Pila na ka?" (how old/how many years are you now?) is a common, direct way Filipinos ask about age — a question considered far less taboo in casual Filipino conversation than in many Western cultures.
Example Sentences
An adult remarking on a child's growth
Pila na ka? Morag dako na ka kaayo!
“How old are you now? You've gotten so big!”
Asking about trip duration
Pila ka adlaw ang inyong bakasyon?
“How many days is your vacation?”
Asking about a purchase quantity
Pila kabuok ang imong gipalit?
“How many pieces did you buy?”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
Is asking someone's age directly with "pila na ka?" considered rude in Filipino culture?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Pila" mean in Bisaya?
"Pila" means "How much / How many" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a question in the Grammar category, pronounced as "PEE-lah".
How do you pronounce "Pila" in Cebuano?
"Pila" is pronounced "PEE-lah". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Pila" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Pila na ka? Morag dako na ka kaayo!" — "How old are you now? You've gotten so big!". "Pila na ka?" (how old/how many years are you now?) is a common, direct way Filipinos ask about age — a question considered far less taboo in casual Filipino conversation than in many Western cultures.
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