Lesson 2 - Basic Introduction

Now that you have learned the basic greetings and expressions of common courtesy in Bisaya, Lesson 2 will be on basic introduction.

My name is Juan. - Ang akong pangalan/pang'an/'nga'n si Juan [Note the shortened version of the word "pangalan" for name.]
I am Juan. - Ako si Juan. (name)

And what about you? - Unya, ikaw?
What is your name? - Unsa ang imong pangalan/pang'an/'nga'n?/ Unsay imong 'nga'n?

Where do you live? - Asa ka nagpuyo/puyo?/ Asa di-ay ka puyo? ["di-ay" is a term that may denote "oh by the way"]
I live in Cebu City. - Nagpuyo ko sa Cebu City.

What is your telephone number? - Unsa ang imong numero sa telepono?
/ Unsay imong numero? [Visayans will also say, "unsay imong number?"]

It was nice meeting you! - Maayong pag ila-ila nimo. [The English expression is more often used]
Until we meet again. - Sa sunod na pud nga pagkakita-ay.
Until next - Sa sunod na pud.



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Lesson 1 - Greetings and Frequently used Phrases in Cebu, the Visayas and Mindanao

When learning to speak a language, it is best to start with phrases used for greetings and common courtesy. Below are some of the must-learn expressions.

Note that because of the media, technology and Western influence, some expressions are spoken in English and do not have a Visayan equivalent or are directly derived from English and may be changed slightly.

Also, particularly for Cebuanos, we tend to cut short our sentences. I indicate the short versions for your easy learning. We also use a lot of colloquial expressions.


Hello/Hi - Hello/Hi
How are you? - Kumusta ka?/ Musta? (S)
I am fine, thank you. - Maayo man, salamat. ["man" is just an expression and does not independently mean anything]
Goodbye! - Babay!/Bye
See you soon/See you later - Magkita unya ta pohon/ Kita ta sa sunod/Kitakits (S)
Take care! - Pag amping!/ Ayo-ayo!


Thank you! - Salamat!
You are welcome! - Walay sapayan!/ Wa'y sapayan! (S) [The English version is more often used]
Excuse me - Excuse me/ Pasensya-i
I am sorry - Pasaylo-a ko. [The English version is more often used]


Good morning! - Maayong buntag!
Good afternoon! - Maayong hapon!
Good evening! - Maayong gabi-i!
Good morning to you all! - Maayong buntag kaninyo nga tanan!*
Good afternoon to you all! - Maayong hapon kaninyo nga tanan!*
Good evening to you all! - Maayong gabi-i kaninyo nga tanan!*
*May be cut short to: Maayong buntag/hapon/gabi-i ninyong tanan!


Do you understand English? - Kasabot ka ug iningles?
Do you know how to speak English - Kahibalo ka mo iningles?/Kahibaw ka mo iningles?
Do you understand Visayan? - Kahibalo ka mo binisaya?/Kahibaw ka mo binisaya?
I understand. - Kasabot ko.
I don't understand. - Wala ko kasabot./ Wa ko kasabot./ Ambot. ["Wala" is often shortened to "wa"]
I don't know. - Wala ko kahibaw./ Wa ko kahibaw./ Ambot.
Yes - Oo
No - Dili
Please repeat. - Balika palihug.

What do you want? - Unsa ang imong gusto?/ Unsay imong gusto?
I like that. - Ganahan ko ana.
I like you. - Ganahan ko nimo.

I love you. - Gihigugma ko ikaw/ Gihigugma tikaw. [The English equivalent is more often used]
I care for you. - Palangga ko ikaw/ Palangga tikaw. ["Palangga" is often shortened to "pangga" and further shortened to "ga."]*

*Some people are called "Langga" or "Ga" from the term "palangga" which is a term used to describe a person you care for.


Who? - Kinsa?
What? - Unsa?
When? - Kanus-a?
Where? - Asa?
How? - Giunsa?
Why? - Ngano?

Who is that? - Kinsa na?
What is she doing? - Unsay iyang gibuhat?
When are you coming? - Kanus-a ka moanhi?
Where are you going? - Asa ka moadto?
How did you do that? - Giunsa na nimo pagbuhat?
Why do you like him? - Nganong ganahan ka niya?

Overview

Throughout the course of history, the Cebuano language has been influenced by a number of other languages like Sanskrit, Javanese, Malay, Arabic, Spanish, English, Chinese, etc.*

Most of the people in the Visayas and Mindanao speak, read, write and understand not only Visayan or Bisaya but also Filipino/Tagalog and English since these subjects are taught in school. Moreover, Tagalog is the language used in mass media. English on the other hand is the medium of instruction and the language used in business, in the courts and other official fora.

It is common therefore to hear the Bisaya using different languages in one sentence. There are a number of people who also use a lot of slang and what is called gay language is becoming a fad in certain areas.

Mostly, the secret to understanding the gay language is simply to read the letters in reverse. Then you will get the regular Visayan word. For example, to describe smelling good in Cebuano, the word used is "humot." But in gay language, it will be "tomuh" or "tomu-h."

The learner has to take note also that most of us people living in Cebu are fond of cutting short our words and sentences.

This is a brief overview of Cebuano.

Do not worry about learning everything in one go. Learn the language slowly and comfortably. Hopefully, as we build upon the lessons, you will be more confident with your Cebuano/Visayan language skills.

Enjoy the journey!

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*Information from English Visayan Cebuano Dictionary, Unang Edisyon 2009, SunStar Publications Network.

About this Site

This blog responds to the need of some English-speakers who are interested to learn the Visayan language.

Hopefully, this site will help propagate the love for the Visayan/Cebuano language and pave the way to better communication and understanding between peoples.