Useful Cebuano phrases

A collection of useful phrases in Cebuano (Binisaya), a Philippine language spoken in Central Visayas and other parts of the Philippines, specifically in Cebuano as spoken in Northern Mindanao.

Jump to phrases

See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal

English	Binisaya (Cebuano)
Welcome	Maayong pag-abot Malipayong pag-abot
Hello (General greeting)	Hello Hoy Uy
How are you?	Kumusta man ka? Kumusta ka? (inf) Unsa inyong kahimtang?
Reply to 'How are you?'	Maayo man Maayo man ko
Long time no see	Dugayng panahon wala ta nagkita
What's your name?	Unsa imong ngalan? (frm) Kinsay inyong ngalan? (frm) Kinsay imong ngalan? (inf) Unsa'y ngalan nimo? (inf)
My name is ...	Ang akong ngalan kay ... (frm) Ang ngalan nako kay ... ... akong ngalan
Where are you from?	Taga-asa ka? Taga-diin ka? Taga dis-a ka? Taga-aha ka? Asa ka gikan? (inf) Asa kamo gikan? (frm)
I'm from ...	Taga ... ko
Pleased to meet you	Nalipay ko nga nakaila ko nimo Malipayon ko nga nakaila ko nimo Nalipay ko nga nailhan tika Malipayon ko nga nailhan tika
Good morning (Morning greeting)	Maayong Buntag
Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting)	Maayong Hapon
Good day	Maayong adlaw sa imo Maayong adlaw diha
Good evening (Evening greeting)	Maayong Gabii
Good night	Maayong Gabii
Goodbye (Parting phrases)	Babay (inf) Manamilit na ko Hangtod sa sunod Ayoayo Magkita lang ta puhon Dalayegon sa Diyos (God bless)
Good luck!	Maayo unta swertihon! Maynta swertihon! Maayong kapalaran!
Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking)	Mabuhi!
Have a nice day	Maayo'ng adlaw kanimo
Bon appetit / Have a nice meal	Manga-on ta! Manga-on ta ninyo!
Bon voyage / Have a good journey	Maayong pagbyahi!
I understand	Nakasabot ko
I don't understand	Wala ko kasabot
Yes	Oo
No	Wala
Maybe	Tingali
I don't know	Ambot
Please speak more slowly	Palihug hinay-hinaya pag istorya Palihug hinay-hinaya pagsulti
Please write it down	Palihug isulat daw
Do you speak English?	Maka-istorya ba ka ug ingles?
Do you speak Cebuano?	Maka istorya ka ug Binisaya?
Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?')	Oo, gamay lang
Do you speak a language other than Cebuano?	Kabalo ka magsulti og lain lenggwahe bulag sa sinugbuanon?
How do you say ... in Cebuano?	Unsaon pagsulti ug ... sa Bisaya?
Excuse me	Ekskyus mi Tabi sa
How much is this?	Tagpila kini?
Sorry	Ikasubo ko
Forgive me	Pasaylu-i ako
Thank you	Salamat Salamat kaayo
Reply to thank you	Ok ra to oy Wala ra to oy Walay sapayan
Where's the toilet / bathroom?	Asa ang banyo? Dis-a ang banyo? Diin ang kasilyas? Diin ang CR?
This gentleman will pay for everything	Kani nga lalake ang magbayad para sa tanan Kani siya ang magbayad sa tanan Mobayad 'ni siya sa tanan
This lady will pay for everything	Kani nga babayi ang magbayad para sa tanan
Would you like to dance with me?	Gusto ka makigsayaw kanako? Gusto ka makigsayaw uban nako?
I love you	Gihigugma ko ikaw
Get well soon	Ayo-ayo ha
Leave me alone!	Biya-i ra gud ko!
Help!	Tabang!
Fire!	Sunog!
Stop!	Hunung! Undang! Sakto na!
Call the police!	Tawaga ang pulis! Panawag og pulis!
Christmas greetings	Maayong pasko
New Year greetings	Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig
Easter greetings	Maayong Pagkabanhaw sa Dios!
Birthday greetings	Malipayong Adlawng Natawhan
Congratulations!	Pahalipay!
One language is never enough	Dili gayod sakto kung usa ra ka sinutian Dili gayud sakto kung isa ra ka pinulungan
My hovercraft is full of eels	Puno ug palos akong huberkrap

Corrections and additions by Emmanuel Anajao and Maxwell Carty. Recordings by Pete Abilla of www.findtutorsnearme.com

Download all the audio files (Zip format, 2.5MB)

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Information about Cebuano | Phrases | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Collections of Cebuano phrases
http://www.bohol.ph/article123.html?sid=ba341e93152dc3758937969cb5ed91f4
http://wikitravel.org/en/Cebuano_phrasebook
http://www.philippinesinsider.com/visayas/helpful-cebuano-phrases-and-words-for-tourists/

Phrases in Philippine languages

Aklan, Bikol, Blaan, Capiznon, Cebuano, Cuyonon, Hiligaynon, Iloko, Tagalog

Phrases in other languages

[top]

Why not share this page:

If you like this site and find it useful, you can support it by making a donation via PayPal or Patreon, or by contributing in other ways. Omniglot is how I make my living.

Note: all links on this site to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.fr are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission if you click on any of them and buy something. So by clicking on these links you can help to support this site.

Get a 30-day Free Trial of Amazon Prime (UK)

If you're looking for home or car insurance in the UK, why not try Policy Expert?

[top]