Grammarpronoun
Sila
SEE-lah
EnglishThey
Word of the Day · Sunday, September 13, 2026
Sila — Bisaya Word of the Day for September 13, 2026
Origin & Etymology
"Sila" is Bisaya's plural third-person pronoun, gender-neutral just like its singular counterpart "siya" — it completes the core pronoun set covered throughout this series: ako, ikaw, siya, kita, kami, sila.
How Bisaya Speakers Use It
"Sila ni Manuel" (Manuel and his group/companions) is a common construction using "sila" to refer to a named person plus whoever they're with — a natural, efficient way to reference a group without listing everyone.
Example Sentences
Asking about a group's status
Nangaon na sila sa balay?
“Have they eaten at home already?”
Referring to a named person and their group
Sila ni Maria ang mianhi ganina.
“Maria and her companions came earlier.”
Describing future plans for a group
Mangadto sila sa siyudad ugma.
“They will go to the city tomorrow.”
Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz
What does the construction "sila ni Manuel" mean?
Related Bisaya Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Sila" mean in Bisaya?
"Sila" means "They" in Bisaya/Cebuano. It is a pronoun in the Grammar category, pronounced as "SEE-lah".
How do you pronounce "Sila" in Cebuano?
"Sila" is pronounced "SEE-lah". The stressed syllable is indicated by capital letters in the phonetic guide.
How do you use "Sila" in a Bisaya sentence?
Example: "Nangaon na sila sa balay?" — "Have they eaten at home already?". "Sila ni Manuel" (Manuel and his group/companions) is a common construction using "sila" to refer to a named person plus whoever they're with — a natural, efficient way to reference a group without listing everyone.
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