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?