Human Body Parts English to Bisaya/Cebuano translation English Term Bisaya Term (Translation) head forehead ear eye

cheek nose neck mouth ulo buna dunggan / dalunggan (pronounce as dung-gan) mata aping (prounounce as ah-ping) ilong (i-long) li-og (li-ug) baba

Adam's Apple ubol-ubol chin chest breast shoulder arm elbow umbilicus stomach forearm wrist groin hand fingers fist penis vagina thigh knee calf leg ankle foot siwang dughan (dug-han) totoy abaga bukton (buk-ton) siko (si-ko) pusod (pu-sod) tiyan (ti-yan) bukton (but-ton) pulso (pul-so) bogan (bo-gan) kamot (ka-mot) tudlo (tud-lo) kumo (ku-mo) oten (o-ten) kiki, boto, or bilat (bi-lat) paa tuhod kaunuran sa batiis paa New Cell tiil

CEBUANO Arms - Bukton Armpit - Ilok Back - Bukobuko Biceps - Braso Body - Lawas Breast - Totoy Buttocks - Lubot Calves - Bagtak Cheek - Aping Chest - Dughan Chin - Suwang Ear - Dunggan Elbow - Siko Eye - Mata Eye brows - Kilay Eye lashes - Pilok Finger - Tudlo Fingernail - Kuko Foot - Ti-il Forehead - Agtang Gums - Lagos Hair - Buhok Hand - Kamot Head - Ulo, U'o Heel - Tikod Hip - Bat-ang Jaw - Apapangig Knee - Tuhod Legs - Bati-is Lips - Ngabil Moustache / Beard - Bungot Mouth - B-b Navel - Pusod Neck - Li-og Nose - Ilong Palm - Palad, Pa'ad Shoulder - Abaga Small Finger - Kumingking Sole - Lapa-lapa Stomach - Tiyan Teeth - Ngipon Thigh - Pa-a Thumb - Kumagk Tongue - Dil Waist - Hawak Blood - Dug Bones - Bukog Brain - Utok Heart - Kasing-kasing Intestines - Tina-i

Liver - Atay Lungs - Bag Nerves, Veins - Ugat Skeleton - Kalabera

I don't understand. W ko kasabot. Can you understand English? Makasabot ka ug Ininglis? or 'Kasabot ka ug English? Please say it in English. Palihug Ininglisa lang. or English lang Palihug. Please. Palihug. Thanks. Salamat. Speak slowly please. Hinaya'g sulti palihug. Sorry. Sorry. (The bisaya word "pasayloa ko" (forgive me) has a deeper meaning and is not used for a casual sorry, or excuse me) Excuse Me. Excuse Me. Yes. O. No. Dil or D Maybe. Tingali. For a while... Kadal s... or Kadiyot s... Wait... Huwat... I don't know... W ko kahibaw... or Ambot... (a bit impolite) What took you so long? Nganong nadugay man ka?

You're too early! Sayoha sad nimo uy! (slightly sarcastic) In some cases adjectives in Cebuano ends with "a" for females and "o" for males. Most adjectives however are applicable to both genders. Good - Maayo (character/condition) / Nindot (appearance) Bad - Dautan, Maldito, Maldita (character) / Bati, Ngil-ad (appearance) Handsome - Guapo / Ambongan (old cebuano) Beautiful, Pretty - Guapa / Ma-anyag (old cebuano) Ugly - Bati'g Nawong, Ngil-ad Tall, Long, High - Ta-as Short, Low - Mub Clean - Limpyo Dirty - Hugaw Rich - Dat / Adunahan (old cebuano) Poor - Pobre / Kabus (old cebuano) Fat - Tambok Thin - Daot, Niwang Shy - Mauwawon Crazy - Bo-ang Kind - Bu-otan Cunning - Mar Intelligent - Utokan, Brayt (adapted from Bright) Dumb - Bog Sharp - Ha-it Dull - Habolan Wet - Bas Dry - Uga Delicious - Lam Sweet - Tam-is Sour - Aslom Salty - Parat Bitter - Pa-it Tasteless - Tab-ang Pungent, Piquant - Halang, Ha'ang Not Delicious - Wa'y Lami (rude) Gross Tasting - Lu-od Hot - Init Cold - Bugnaw (temperature) / Tugnaw (weather) Painful - Sakit Itchy - Katol Burning pain - Hapdos Tickling Sensation - Gilok Hard - Gah Soft - Humok Fragrant - Humot Foul Smelling - Bah Noisy - Sab Silent - Hilom

Nowadays english names for colors are generally used and accepted. There are a few cebuano color words however that are still very commonly used. Black - Itom White - Put Red - Pula, Puwa Blue - Asul, Blue (accepted) Green - Berde, Green (accepted) Yellow - Yellow (adapted) Orange - Orange (adapted) Violet - Violet (adapted) Far - Lay Near - Du-ol Tired - Kapoy Happy - Malipayon Sad - Gu-ol, Magul-anon Alive - Buh Dead - Patay Cheap - Barato Expensive - Mahal Difficult - Lisod Easy - Sayon Heavy - Bug-at Light (weight) - Ga-an Dark - Ngitngit Bright - Hayag Glaring - Suwaw Shiny - Sinaw Fast - Kusog Quick - Paspas Slow - Hinay Conjugation of verbs in Cebuano are basically a matter of adding the right prefixes to the root. Present Progressive = nag + root Past = ni + root Future = mo + root Example: eat - kaon present progressive: eating - nagkaon past: ate - nikaon future: will eat - mokaon These rules can be applied to the following verbs: buy - palit cry - hilak drink - inom give - hatag laugh - katawa look - tan-aw pay - bayad play - duw read - basa

ride - sakay run - dagan smile - pahiyom talk - sulti think - hunhun wait - huwat walk - lakaw write - suwat Sample sentences: I'm reading the newspaper now. - Nagbasa ko sa newspaper karon. He ran at the marathon yesterday. - Nidagan siya sa marathon gahapon. Will you wait for me? - Mohuwat ka nako? Some verbs however do not follow these rules or simply are too awkward for this rule to be used on. In some cases certain words can only be used for very specific situations and are conjugated differently. Asking a question properly in Cebuano can always get you to wherever or whatever you want faster. Here are common things you might want to ask around when you're in Cebu and common expected responses. What - Unsa When - Kanus-a Where - Asa (place), Hain (location of an object) How - Giunsa Why - Ngano Who - Kinsa In practice, a lot of Cebuanos use the words "Asa" and "Hain" interchangeably for practically the same purposes. The real meaning and differences of these words have become vague and somehow lost and nobody even seem to care the real difference and actual usage of these words anymore. There is a difference in the actual usage of "Hain" and "Asa" that even Cebuanos and Bisaya speakers should be aware of. "Asa" is used basically if the speaker is directly referring to a place, whereas "Hain" is used to refer to the location of something. Examples: Where is my pencil? Hain ang akong lapis? Where is Colon? Asa ang Colon? If the object referred to is also a place in a way like a mall, "Asa" or "Hain" can be used. Example: Where is SM? Asa ang SM? or Hain ang SM?

Direction: Where are we now? Asa na ta karon? We are now in Cebu. Nia na ta sa Cebu. Where are we going? Asa ta padu'ong? We're going to Lahug. Padu'ong ta sa Lahug. We will go to Lahug. Mangadto ta sa Lahug. or Moadto ta sa Lahug. Where is the Airport? Asa ang Airport? or Hain ang Airport? The Airport is in Mactan Island. Ang Airport naa sa Mactan. Where is the Comfort Room (toilet)? Hain ang CR? (CR has been adopted in Cebuano and is more common instead of "kasilyas" (toilet). In areas away from the Cities however, the word "kasilyas" is still very common). The CR is on the right. Ang CR naa sa tu-o.

Price: How much is this? Tagpila ni? That's forty-five pesos. Tag kwarentay singko. Do you have anything cheaper than that? Naa mo'y mas barato an? That red one is only forty pesos. Kanang puwa tag kwarenta ra. How about that green one? Kan diay'ng green? (Green is more commonly used than the bisaya word "berde") That's more expensive, that's fifty-seven pesos. Mas mahal n, tag singkwentay siete. No discount? Wa'y hangyo?

OK, you can have it for fifty-five pesos. Sige, singkwentay singko na lang.

Here is a collection of common sentences and phrases that you might find useful for day-to-day activities in Cebu. Good Morning. Maayong Buntag. or May'ng Buntag. Good Noon. Maayong Udto. or May'ng Udto. Good Afternoon. Maayong Hapon. or May'ng Hapon. Good Evening. Maayong Gabii. or May'ng Gabii. Good Evening Sir. (for greeting old men) Maayong Gabii Manoy. or 'Bii 'Noy. Good Evening Ma'am. (for greeting old women) Maayong Gabii Manang. or 'Bii 'Nang. Happy Birthday! Accepted common adaptation: Happy Birthday! Bisaya (not commonly used): Malipayong adlaw'ng natawhan. Thank you. Salamat. Thank you very much. Daghang salamat. or Daghan kaayong salamat. When addressing somebody in a casual conversation, it is common for Cebuanos to use common nickname for a certain group of individuals that fall under certain traditional brackets. Manoy or 'Noy - used for old men specially 50 years old or older. Only use this if you are much younger than the person. Very old male (65 and above with white hair) are also often called Lolo or 'Lo (grandpa). Manang or 'Nang - for old women aging 50 and above. Only use this if you are much younger than the person. Very old ladies (65 and above with white hair) are also often called Lola or 'La (grandma). Bai - affectionately given to male friends of the same age level. It is also commonly used to male acquaintances of the same level. Not adviseable for formal conversations. Dodong or 'Dong - used as a standard way of addressing younger males. May be used even for teenagers as long as you are much older than the person.

Inday or 'Day - commonly used to address younger females. May be used even for teenagers as long as you are much older than the person. To introduce yourself or the people with you in Cebuano, is very straightforward. I am Pedro. Ako si Pedro. My name is Pedro. Ang akong nga'an Pedro. This is Juan. (besides the speaker) Kini si Juan. He is Juan. Siya si Juan. That is Maria. (far from the speaker) Kan si Maria. ( is pronounced very short and ends abruptly) That is Greg. (far away from them) Kadto si Greg. How are you? Kumusta? I'm fine. Maayo. or Maayo man. What is your name? Unsay imong nga'an? Who are you? Kinsa ka? (a bit impolite) Who is this? (beside the speaker) Kinsa 'ni? Who is that? (away from the speaker) Kinsa 'n? Who is that? (away from the group) Kinsa 'to? Parts of the House (Mga parte sa balay) Bathroom - Banyo Bed Room - Katulganan Ceiling - Kisame Dining Room - Komedor, Kan-anan Door - Portahan, Poltahan Floor - Salog, Sa'og Garage - Garahe House - Balay, Ba'ay

Kitchen - Kusina Living Room - Sala Pillar / Column - Haligi Roof - Atop Room - Kwarto Stairs - Hagdan Toilet - Kasilyas, CR Window - Bintana Wall - Bongbong Objects in the house (Mga butang sa balay) Bed - Katre Blanket - Habol Chair - Si'ya, Lingkoranan Clock - Orasan or Relo (Takna-an in Bisaya) Closet - Aparador Cooking Pot - Kaldero Cup - Tasa Curtain - Kortina Drawer - Hunos Drinking Glass - Baso Fan - Paypay Fork - Tinidor Frying Pan - Ka'ah Knife - Kutsilyo Laddle - Luwag Mirror - Sa'amin Pillow - Unlan Plate - Plato Radio - Radyo Refrigerator - Ref or Refrigerator (adopted word) Spoon - Kutsara Stool - Bangk Television - TV (Adopted word) Table - Lamisa Watch - Relo Types Of Vehicles Airplane - Eroplano Bicycle - Bisikleta Car - Awto Horse and Carriage - Tartanilya Jeepney - Jeepney or Jeep (adopted word) Motorcycle - Motor Ship / Boat - Barko Taxi - Taksi (adopted word) Truck - Tra'ak Vehicle - Sakyanan Words related to vehicles Accelerator - Gasolinador Brake - Preno, Brake (adopted)

Gasoline - Gasolina Rim - Yantas Spokes - Rayos Steering wheel - Manibela Wheel - Ligid Wings - Pak

Food (Pagkaon) Biscuit - Biskwit (adopted) Bread - Pa'an Cake - Cake (adopted) Noodles - Pansit Rice (cooked) - Kan-on Viand - Sud-an Meat - Karne Drinks (Imnonon / Ilimnon / Mainom) Water - Tubig Coffee - Kape Tea - Tsa Softdrinks - Softdrinks (adopted) Milk - Gatas Wine - Bino Fruits (Prutas) Apple - Mansanas Avocado - Abokado Banana - Saging Guava - Bayabas Mango - Manga Papaya - Kapayas Pineapple - Pinya Pomelo (Chinese Grapefruit) - Bo-ongon Star Apple - Kaimito Tamarind - Sambag Water Apple - Tambis Vegetables (Utanon) Ampalaya - Paliya Garlic - Ahos Onion - Sebuyas Cabbage - Repolio Potato - Patatas Squash - Kalbasa Tomato - Kamatis Corn - Ma-is

Animal (Mananap) Ant - Holmigas Bat - Kwaknit (small), Kabog (large) Bee - Buyog Beetle - Bakukang Bird - Langgam Bird Louse - Bunhok Butterfly - Kab-kab Carabao (Water Buffalo) - Kabaw Cat - Iring Caterpillar - U'od Centipede - Uhipan Chicken - Manok * Rooster - Sunoy * Hen - Himonga-an * Chick - Pis Cockroach - Ok-ok Cow - Baka Crab - Kasag (small), Lambay (large) Crocodile / Alligator - Baya Dog - Ir * Puppy - Itoy Duck - Itik Earthworm - Wati Eel - Bakasi Fish - Isd Flea - Pulgas Frog - Bak Gecko - Tok Goat - Kanding Hermit Crab - Umang Horse - Kabay House Lizard - Tik Housefly - Langaw Louse - Kuto Monkey - Unggoy Mosquito - Lamok * Mosquito Larvae - Nguyo-nguyo Mouse / Rat - Ilag Octopus - Kugita Pig - Baboy * Sow - Anay * Boar - Butakal * Piglet - Baktin Prawn - Pansat Praying Mantis - Bayng bayng Sea Urchin - Tuyom Shark - Iho Shrimp - Pasayan Snail - Korakol Snake - Bitin Spider - Kak Squid - Nokos Termite - A'nay

Tick - Karapata Tree Lizard - Tabili Turtle - Pawikan Turtoise - B-o Whale - Balyena Date and time in Cebuano are essentially based on the Spanish language. The name of the months and the numbers used are basically Spanish with a Visayan pronunciation. Saying the date in English is also very common and is widely acceptable. In almost all cases the year is spoken in English. Although not very common anymore, some AM radio stations still use the original Bisaya language to mention the time. Months: January - Enero February - Pebrero March - Marso April - Abril May - Mayo June - Hunyo July - Hulyo August - Agosto September - Septembre October - Oktobre November - Nobembre December - Disembre Day Of The Week Monday - Lunes Tuesday - Martes Wednesday - Miyerkoles Thursday - Huwebes Friday - Biyernes Saturday - Sabado Sunday - Dominggo General Terms Year - Tu-ig Month - Buwan Date - Petsa Day - Adlaw Week - Semana Now - Karon Today - Karong Adlawa This Week - Karong Semanaha This Month - Karong Buwana This Year - Karong Tu-iga

Next - Sunod Future - Kaugma-on Tomorrow - Ugma Next Day - Sunod Adlaw Next Week - Sunod Semana Next Month - Sunod Buwan Next Year - Sunod Tu-ig Past - Sa una, Miagi Yesterday - Gahapon Last Week - Miaging Semana Last Month - Miaging Buwan Last Year - Miaging Tu-ig Christmas - Pasko New Year - Bag-ong Tuig Holy Week - Semana Santa What date is it now? Unsay petsa karon? January 13. Enero trese.

Time: 1 o'clock - ala una 2 o'clock - alas dos 3 o'clock - alas tres 4 o'clock - alas kwatro 5 o'clock - alas singko 6 o'clock - alas sais 7 o'clock - alas syete 8 o'clock - alas otso 9 o'clock - alas noybe 10 o'clock - alas diyes 11 o'clock - alas onse 12 o'clock - alas dose dawn - kaadlawon morning - buntag noon - udto afternoon - hapon evening / night - gabi-i midnight - tunga'ng gabi-i hour - oras minute - minuto seconds - segundo time - oras (takna in Old Cebuano) half (30 minutes used in telling the time) - media

What time is it now? Unsa nang orasa karon? Old Cebuano: Unsa na ang takna karon? It's 7:12 AM already. Alas syete dose na sa buntag. Half past 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Ala una y media sa hapon. 10 minutes before 5 o'clock. Menos diyes para alas singko.

The official languages of the Philippines are English and Pilipino, which is basically the same as Tagalog (spoken by the inhabitants of the region surrounding Manila). In Cebu, the vernacular is a language called Cebuano, or Bisaya. These two terms are used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference. Cebuano is the dialect that has evolved in the cities, especially Cebu City. It is a blend of ancient Visayan, Arabic, Spanish, Tagalog, and English. Bisaya, meanwhile, is the relatively pure strain spoken in the rural areas, especially the mountains, where the original Visayan inhabitants of these islands continue to survive. Bisaya has far fewer words borrowed from other vocabularies, and its speakers have intermarried less with successive invaders. The educated city folk refer to those who - in ___ terms of complexion, language, and habits - carry _ a larger proportion of the Visyan heritage as "Bisaya dako," or Bisdak (meaning "very Bisaya"). This term is disparaging, and you should not use it to the face of someone who is actually Bisdak. However, the term Bisdak has lately been undergoing a subtle change, and, confusingly, it is now often used by city-dwelling mestizo Cebuanos to describe themselves, and in this sense imparts a connotation of pride - even though the city folk are in most cases not Bisdak at all. Whereas all inhabitants of Cebu use Bisaya in conversation, the city folk, especially the bettereducated ones, often have a far more limited vocabulary than the rural Visayans who continue to speak the original Bisaya. City folk describe Bisaya words that they are unfamiliar with as

A ADLAW DAY; SUN ADTO TO GO AGAY OUCH A-HUS GARLIC ALIMANGO CRAB AMAHAN FATHER ANAK CHILD APAS TO CATCH UP APO GRANDCHILD ASAWA WIFE ASUKAR SUGAR ASIN SALT ATUP ROOF AYAW DON'T B/V BABA MOUTH BABAE WOMAN; FEMALE BABOY PIG; PORK BADUY IN BAD TASTE BAHO FOUL-SMELLING BAKA COW/BULL; BEEF BAKI FROG BALAY HOUSE, HOME BALIGYA TO SELL BANA HUSBAND BANGGA ACCIDENT,CRASH BANGKO BANK; CHAIR GUARD; TO BANTAY WATCH BANYO BATHING ROOM BARATO CHEAP

"deep." Since educated Cebuanos rely almost exclusively on English-language media - radio stations and newspapers - they may be confounded by numerous words used in an article in the Bisaya-language tabloid, Super Balita. "I don't know this word, it's very deep already," they'll readily admit. One common complaint is that Cebuanos are not taught their own language in school, since the curriculum relies entirely on the official languages of Tagalog and English. Here's an example. "This is for Mark" would be "Para ni kang Mark" in Cebuano, and "Alang ni kang Mark" in Bisaya. In Cebuano, the Spanish term para, meaning "for," has replaced the original Bisayan word alang. City folk will tell you that alang is "deep," but that's the term commonly used by the "real" Visayans, the rural and urban poor. Let us now consider the difference between Tagalog and Bisaya. The languages are not mutually intelligible. I'd guess that less than 20 percent of the vocabulary is shared. Sometimes the same word may have different meanings. For example, langgam means "ant" in Tagalog and "bird" in Cebuano. (People here like to brag that we're more advanced because here it's already flying while in Manila it's still crawling.) Grammar seems to be essentially the same in both languages, but intonation is completely different. After a while, you'll be able to tell if a person is a Tagalog or a Visayan just from the accent when he or she is speaking in English. There is one interesting trait that distinguishes a speaker of Cebuano, no matter what language she is using. A Cebuano will not help but pepper all utterances with references to the addressee. Whereas you might say, "It's so hot," a Cebuano will say, "Friend, it's so hot, friend." We will use someone's name, or call her girl, friend, cousin, boss, or just about anything, as long as we call her something. Here's a brief list of the more common terms. DAY YOUNGER OR INFERIOR FEMALE YOUNGER OR INFERIOR MALE

BARKO BATO BASA BASA BASTOS BASURA BASO BASTOS BATA BATI BAYUT BAYBAYON BILBIL BINTANA BISITA BITAW VETSIN BODEGA BUG-AS BUGNAW BOGO BUHOK BUKID BUKO BULAN BULINGON

MISS POLITER FORM OF "DAY" DONG

BAY FRIEND. USED FOR ANY

BUNTAG BUSLOT BUSOG BUTO BULAD, DRIED FISH BUWAD D BAMBOO DABONG SHOOT DAGAN TO RUN DAGAT OCEAN DAKO LARGE DALA TO BRING

BOAT STONE WET TO READ LECHEROUS GARBAGE GLASS, CUP LECHEROUS, HORNY BABY; TODDLER UGLY; CRAPPY A GAY; TRANSVESTITE BEACH BELLY WINDOW VISITOR SURE, RIGHT, OF COURSE MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE WAREHOUSE UNCOOKED RICE COLD [THING]. see BUGNAW STUPID HAIR MOUNTAIN, HILL YOUNG COCONUT MOON; MONTH SOILED [FOR CLOTHING] MORNING HOLE SATED VAGINA

MALE PERSON AMIGO FRIEND AMIGA FRIEND MAM MADAM SIR SIR INFORMAL ADDRESS FOR BOSSING SUPERIORS, SUCH AS CUSTOMERS OLDER BROTHER. USED KUYA FOR ANY YOUNG BUT ELDER-BROTHER NANG NONG MIDDLE-AGED OR ELDERLY WOMAN MIDDLE-AGED OR ELDERLY MAN

DALAN DALI DAPIT DATO DAWTAN DAYON! DIDTO DINHI; DIRI DINHA; DIHA DIOS DIRETSO DUGAY DUGO DUGOS DOKTOR G GABI-I GAHI GAKUS GAMAY GANAHAN GANINA GAMIT GAPAS GASOLINAHAN GATAS GASTADOR GAWAS GIKAN SA GINIKANAN GINO-O GUBA GUGMA GUSTO GWAPA GWAPO H

RESPECTFUL TERM FOR NOY OLDER MALE CHOY MATE, PAL MARI FEMALE PAL References may be based on the profession of the addressee. Doctors are called "Doc." It may seem cumbersome, but lawyers are referred to as "attorney" and engineers are referred to as "engineer." Hence: "Attorney, listen Attorney, you know I've been having problems with my landlord, Attorney, and the other day, Attorney, I was just a little late with my rent, Attorney, and now he sent me this eviction notice, Attorney, what should I do, Attorney? Attorney, I really need your help, Attorney." You may think I'm exaggerating, but this is how Cebuanos talk, even when conversing in English.

STREET QUICKLY LOCATION WEALTHY WICKED COME IN! OVER THERE HERE THERE GOD STRAIGHT LONG IN DURATION, DELAYED, SLOW BLOOD HONEY DOCTOR EVENING; NIGHT HARD (NOT SOFT) HUG; TO HUG SMALL; A LITTLE PREFERRED, FAVORITE EARLIER TO USE COTTON GAS STATION MILK GENEROUS OUTSIDE; TO EXIT FROM PARENT JESUS BROKEN LOVE TO LIKE, TO WANT PRETTY HANDSOME

ENGLISH IN CEBU
English is one of the official languages, and is used in court cases and in school. Almost everything written is in English, and if you put a Cebuano behind a microphone, she won't think of speaking in Cebuano. Educated Cebuanoes get their news and entertainment in English. I suppose Cebuano is considered a vulgar tongue, as was the case with English when Latin was prevalent in Europe. However, very few Cebuanos are fluent speakers of English; even college grads who have a good knowledge of

English vocabulary may still have a hard time conducting a conversation. Of course, there is an elite comprised of mostly graduates of the best universities, who speak fluent English. [DETAILED ASSESSMENT] Lack of English fluency in all but the highest social classes is exarcebated by the fact that in the Philippines it is not a crime to freely mix indigenous languages with English. The reverse is true; Cebuanos are expected to spice up their sentences with English words and phrases. When making a phone call, even those who barely speak any English at all will at first greet the other person in English ("Good Morning") and then lapse into Cebuano. In most conversations, every now and then an English phrase or word will pop up. You CAN get by on English alone. But you will have an easier time if you know some Cebuano. Irrespective of how well they speak it, for most Cebuanos using English is more tiring than the local dialect. Cebuano English is based on American English, and, on the whole, the two are pretty much the same. However, there are some expressions which have evolved locally and are used only here. CR / COMFORT ROOM HELPER FISCAL GIMMICKS RUBBER SHOES BROWN-OUT BOLD STAR BOLD MOVIE SAFETY BOX SERVICE

TOILET SERVANT PROSECUTOR HAPPENINGS, NIGHTLIFE, PARTY SNEAKERS (US); TRAINERS (UK) POWER OUTAGE BUXOM ACTRESS PARTIAL TO SKIMPY ATTIRE MOVIE FEATURING BOLD STARS SAFE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, USUALLY A CAR

HABOL BLANKET HADLOK AFRAID HALANG HOT/SPICY HANGIN AIR; WIND HANGTOD SA UP TO HAPON AFTERNOON HAPIT ALMOST HARINA FLOUR HILAK TO WEEP HILAW UNDER-RIPE HILUM QUIET HINAY SLOW; WEAK HUGAW DIRTY, FILTHY HULAM TO BORROM HULAT/HUWAT TO WAIT HUMOK SOFT HUMOT REDOLENT HUWES A JUDGE I/E IGSO-ON SIBLING IBABAW ABOVE ILAWON UNDERNEATH HOT; NOT INIT COLD INUM TO DRINK INAHAN MOTHER EPHAT TO COUNT IRING CAT IRO DOG IG-AGAW COUSIN ISDA FISH ESKINA CORNER ESKWELAHAN SCHOOL FIERCE; ISOG AGGRESSIVE ESTUDYANTE STUDENT ITUM BLACK SEX; TO HAVE IYUT SEX K KA-AYU VERY TO KNOW KABALO [SOMETHING] KABAYO HORSE KABIT SECRET LOVER

TRICYCLE TRISIKAD TO ASK [SOMETHING] SOFT DRINK SOCIAL CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS SHABU I/WE WILL GO AHEAD COPYCHECKER DAD SALVAGING MULTICAB SALA TANOD

MOTORCYCLE WITH A SIDECAR PEDICAB TO REQUEST TO HAVE [SOMETHING] SODA CLASSY, EXPENSIVE CINDER BLOCKS METH BYE, SEE YOU PROOFREADER COUNCILOR SUMMARY EXECUTION A TYPE OF VEHICLE. SEE " TYPES OF JEEP" LIVING ROOM UNARMED NEIGHBORHOOD COP

EXPRESSIONS AND GESTURES

There is one gesture in Cebu that you may find disconcerting. The more Bisdak the person, he or she will express incomprehension - when asked a question - by staring at you, raising the eyebrows, opening the mouth as far as it will go, and stretching the lips taught. It just means, "What did you just say? I didn't get it. Can you please repeat that?" Since people will probably have a hard time understanding your accent until you have a chance to adapt a little, you will initially come across this gesture a lot. I'm sure that, when asked for the location of a thing or person, people in your country point

KAMATES TOMATO KAMOT HAND MOMENT, KADIYOT SECOND TO KNOW KAILA [SOMEONE] KAHOY TREE; WOOD KALAYU FIRE KANDILA CANDLE KANDING GOAT KAN-ON BOILED RICE KANTA SONG; TO SING KAON TO EAT KAPOY TIRED, TIRING KARNE MEAT KARON NOW KARSADA ROAD TO KASABUT UNDERSTAND KASAL WEDDING KATABANG SERVANT KATAWHAN THE PEOPLE KATRE BED KAWAYAN BAMBOO KINSA WHO KISAME CEILING KOCHARA SPOON KODAKAN PHOTOGRAPHER TO KUHA GET/FETCH/TAKE KORIPUT FRUGAL KOTSILYO KNIFE FAST; STRONG; KUSOG INTENSE STRONG KUSGAN [PERSON] KUGIHAN HARD-WORKING KUSINA KITCHEN KUYOG TO ACCOMPANY KWARTA MONEY KWARTO ROOM L LABA TO LAUNDER LABANDERA WASHERWOMAN TO THROW LABAY AWAY

with the hand, the finger, or a quick tilt of the head. But when it comes to pointing, Cebuanos are in a league of their own. When asked where something is, they might point with their lips. If something is on the left of the person, the lips jerk all the way to the left, while the head stays completely motionless. Similarly, if something is straight ahead of a person, the lips will come forward in a quick pout. A rapid momentary raising of the eyebrows means "yes.". Sometimes, the mouth may accompany this gesture by forming a quick O, since "yes" in Cebuano is o-o. The chin may also be raised slightly, tilting the head back a little - a reverse nod, if you will. "No" is the same as in most countries - the head is shaken sideways - but in Cebu the lower lip may also protrude to accentuate the negation. Forming a circle with your thumb and index finger signifies money, rather than "OK." I guess the circle thus formed symbolizes a coin. To signal OK, just give a thumbs up. Lastly, the gesture for "come here." This can be confusing, especially when used by traffic wardens. The hand, relaxed and palm downwards, will be brought down in a very quick - almost violent - motion, as if to swat a fly in mid-air. The gesture is usually repeated several times, with an interval of about a second. You can also get someone's attention with the sound made by pouting and sucking in air through the mouth, or a quick Pssst! These are only slightly rude.

PRONOUNCIATION
Except for speakers of fluent English - a highly educated minority - Cebuanos tend to use the same pronunciation for English and Cebuano. The number of sounds in Cebuano is limited and this makes it fairly easy to learn to pronounce; however, it does make people's English a bit hard to interpret if you're not familiar with Cebuano pronunciation. You only need to know how to pronounce three vowel sounds: A, I, and O. The A is pronounced

TO WALK; TO GO OUT LALAKI, LAKI MAN; MALE LAMAW LEFT-OVERS LAMISA TABLE LAMI DELICIOUS LAMISA TABLE LAMOK MOSQUITO FLY (THE LANGAW INSECT) LANGGAM BIRD LANSAN METAL NAIL LAPIS PENCIL LAPOK MUD LATA CAN LIBRE FREE, GRATIS LIBRO BOOK LIG-ON STRONG [THING] LINGAW FUN CLEAN; TO LIMPYO CLEAN LINGKUD TO SIT LISUD DIFFICULT LOBOT ASS, BUTT GROSS; LO-OD DISGUSTING LUGAR PLACE LUGAW RICE GRUEL GRANDPARENT LOLA/LOLO (F/M) LUTO TO COOK M MA-AYU GOOD MAESTRA/MAESTR TEACHER O (M/F) EXPENSIV MAHAL E PEACEFUL, MALINAWON QUIET MALIPAYON HAPPY MANOK CHICKEN LONELY; MINGAW TO MISS MAKINA MACHINE MAS MORE MASAHE MASSAGE LAKAW

as the vowel in the English word duck. The I sound is halfway between the I in "pit" and E in "pet"; sometimes it is more like the I and sometimes it is more like the E. However, the sounds may be used interchangeably. In fact, in Cebu you can say melk instead of milk, or pin instead of pen, and nobody will know. Moreover, there is no difference between the long and short E. You can get away with saying deenner instead of dinner, or spikker instead of speaker. The O and the U are also interchangeable. Doog and dog, foot and fot sound exactly the same to Visayan ears. When Cebuano is written - which is rare - either spelling is correct; as in Shakespearean English, the writer's preference determines the spelling. Some consonants are interchangeable as well. There is no F in the original Visayan language. The closest is the P, and consequently Cebuanos are always getting confused between the two. Another pair of interchangeable consonants is V and B. English speakers may call it the Visayas, but in Cebu we call it the Bisayas. What Cebuanos will not let you get away with is improper intonation and accenting. For example, bangko can mean either bank or chair, depending on how it is pronounced. I'm sorry; I can't help in this regard. The only practical way you can learn intonation and accenting is by conversing with Cebuanos and aping their speech. It should be noted that Cebuano is not a written language; it exists in written format only in the form of text messages, posts on the Internet, and the Super Balita, a tabloid. Hence, no standardized spelling exists for Cebuano words. Where vowels or diphtongs are interchangeable, any spelling can be used. Lastly, in Cebuano - but not Bisaya - an L separated by two vowels often becomes a W. Hence, ulan is often pronounced as uwan. Incidentally, when the W follows an A or I, it functions like a vowel, just like the Y. ENGLISH EXAMPLE CEBUA APPROXIMATI [PRONUNCIATI NO ON ON] A PUCK; HUT BATI [BUTTY] KANDING [CUN DING]

MASSEUSE SOCKS MECHANIC MARKET SHORT WOMB, MATRES UTERUS EYE; TO MATA AWAKEN N NEGOSYAN BUSINESSMAN/WO TE MAN NEGOSYO BUSINESS NGANO WHY? MAN? NGIPUN TOOTH NGIT-NGIT DARK NINDUT NICE NIWANG THIN NAWONG FACE O/U OBUS BELOW UDTO NOON UG AND ULAN, UWAN RAIN UNGGOY MONKEY UNSA WHAT UNYA LATER; THEN OPISINA OFFICE UTAN/UTANON VEGETABLES UTANG DEBT; CREDIT OTEN PENIS BOYFRIEND, UYAB GIRLFRIEND P PABOR A FAVOR PADONG ON THE WAY PAGKAON FOOD PAIT BITTER PAKITA TO SHOW PALIT TO BUY PALTIK LOCAL GUN PAN BREAD PANGALAN, NAME NGALAN PANIHAPON DINNER,

MASAHISTA MEDYAS MEKANIKO MERKADO MUBO

O/U FOOT; OH

ONYA [OON YAH] MONGOS [MOON GOOSE] KINSA [KEEN SUH] SIPON [SIP OON]

PANIUDTO PAPIL PARAT PASKO PATAY PISO

E/I CHICK; PET

JAPON [HUP J HAND; DEHUT OON] JUAN [WHO UN] JEEP; DY SOJOURN DYIS [JISS] MEDYAS [MIJUSS] TSINELAS [CHINN ILL USS] VETSIN [BITCH INN] SYUDAD [SHOE DUD] VETSIN [BITCH INN] SABAW [SUBBOW] BINALIW [BINN UH LYOO]

TS/CH CHOP; MUCH

SY/SH SHIP; FISH

W MOO; SUE

NUMBERS
The numbering system is a bit of a mess. Viayan numbers are used only up to number 10. However, even if the number is less than ten, if money or time is being counted, Spanish is used. For numbers of 11 and above, either Spanish or English is used - but there are exceptions, namely 100 and 1000, for which only the Bisaya is used. The larger or the more complicated the number, the more likely it is that English is preferred. For example, Spanish may still be used for 2000, but English is more likely for 2753. Numbers are often abbreviated, in whatever language. 1500 is usually "one-five". Lastly, as if things weren't complicated enough, Tagalog numbers are sometimes used instead of the Visayan numbers. CEBUANO NUMBERS BISAYA SPANISH USA 1 SEE TEXT DUHA 2 DOS TULO 3 TRES UPAT 4 KWATRO

PLATO PULA PULTAHAN PUNO PUTI PUTOL PRENDA PROBLIMA, PROBLEM BLIMA PRUTAS FRUIT R RELOH WRISTWATCH S SABA NOISY SABAW SOUP SABON SOAP SAGING BANANA SAKAY TO RIDE SAKIT PAINFUL; ILL SAKYANAN VEHICLE, CAR SALIDA SHOW SAMOK ANNOYING SANINA CLOTHING SAPATOS SHOE SAYANG WASTE, PITY SAYAW TO DANCE SAYO EARLY SAYON EASY SAYOP MISTAKE SHAGGIT TO SHOUT SIGE OK, FINE SIMBAHAN CHURCH SINE MOVIE A COLD; THE SIPON FLU SUBRA EXCESS

SUPPER LUNCH PAPER, DOCUMENTS SALTY CHRISTMAS DEAD CHICK (YOUNG BIRD) PLATE RED DOOR FULL WHITE CUT, SEVERED TO PAWN

LIMA UNUM PITO WALO SIYAM NAPOLO, NAPO

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 30 31 32 33 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

SINKO SEIS SIYETE OTSO NUEBE DYIS ONSE DOSE TRESE KATORSE KINSE DISI-SAYS DISI-SIYETE DISI-OTSO DISI-NUEBE BAINTE BAINTE-UNO BAINTE-DOS BAINTE-TRES TRAINTA TRAINTA-YUNO TRAINTA-YDOS TRAINTA-YTRES KWARENTA SIKWENTA, KWENTA SAYSINTA SITENTA OTSINTA NUBENTA

SUGA LIGHT SULAT TO WRITE SUL-OB TO WEAR INSIDE; TO SULOD, SUD ENTER CHANGE SUKLI (MONEY) TO GO OUT SOROY [FOR FUN] \ T TA-AS TAB-ANG TABIAN TABON TAMBOK TAM-IS TAMBAL TAN-AW TAOD-TAOD TAPULAN TAWAG TAWO TENIDOR TIGULANG TI-IL TIHIK TINDAHAN TINDERA/TINDER O TINDOG TINUOD TIYAN TRABAHO TSINELAS TUBIG TUGNAW TULOG, TUG LONG; TALL; HIGH UP BLAND, UNDERSALTE D TALKATIVE LID, COVER FAT SWEET MEDICINE TO LOOK SOON LAZY TO CALL; TO PHONE PERSON FORK OLD PERSON FOOT, FEET STINGY, MISERY STORE SALES CLERK (F/M) TO STAND TRUE; TRUTH TUMMY TO WORK SLIPPER WATER [TO BE] COLD. see BUGNAW TO SLEEP

USAKA GATOS

200 300 USAKA LIBO 1000 2000 3000 10000

DOS SINTOS TRES SINTOS DOS MIL TRES MIL DYIS MIL

When counting money, 1 is simply piso. For time, one o'clock is ala una; all other hours are

Spanish preceded by alas. For example, 3:00 is alas tres. Used only for time, the Spanish y medya indicates the 30-minute-mark. Hence, 4:30 is pronounced alas kwatro y medya. AM and PM are sa buntag and sa hapon respectively. When counting things, Cebuanos always specify the object being counted. For example, three sacks of rice is "tulo ka sako." In most cases, "buok," the word for pieces, will suffice. It even works for humans. So instead of just saying "tulo," say "tulo ka buok."

TUNGA HALF TUNGOD SA BECAUSE OF Y YAWA DEMON YAWI KEY YUTA LAND; SOIL

USEFUL PHRASES
BASIC EXPRESSIONS THANKS SALAMAT YOU'RE WALA'Y WELCOME SAPAYAN; WA'Y SAPAYAN OK SIGE [SEE GAY] NO PROBLEM WALA'Y PROBLIMA; WA'Y BLIMA YES O-O / O REALLY? / NO MAO BA? [MOW KIDDING? BUH] THIS / THAT KINI, NI / KANA, NA YOU IKAW, KA [EECOW] I, ME AKO / KO SHOPPING HOW MUCH [IS TAGPILA [NI]? THIS]? ONE PESO / TEN TAG PISO / TAG PESOS DYIS I'LL TAKE FIVE / LIMA KA BUOK / I'LL TAKE 20 BAINTE KA BUOK I'LL TAKE ALL KUHAON NA KO OF THAT TANAN WHAT'S THAT? UNSA NA? THE RED ONE KANANG PULA / KANANG RED WHAT'S THIS UNSA'Y TAWAG CALLED? ANI?

PWEDE MANGAYO UG PLASTIK? GIVE ME 1/4 OF A ONE-FOURTH KILO LANG GIVE ME 1/2 A TUNGA LANG KILO TOO EXPENSIVE! MAHAL RA KAAYO THAT'S ALL MAO RA NEVER MIND AYAW NA LANG I'LL BE BACK MUBALIK KO [LATER] [SOON] [UNYA] [TAODTAOD] LOCATIONS WHERE? ASA? WHERE ARE ASA KA DAPIT? YOU? WHERE ARE YOU ASA KA KARON? NOW? AT HOME / AT SA BALAY / SA CHURCH SIMBAHAN I'M/WE'RE ON PADONG NA THE WAY KO/MI HERE DIRI; DINHI; NGARI THERE (WITHIN DIHA SIGHT) THERE (OUT OF DIDTO SIGHT) GO STRAIGHT DIRETSO PA TAKE A LEFT TURN / LEFT/RIGHT RIGHT TURN FAR / NEAR LAYU / DO-OL NEXT TO THE KILID SA GAS STATION GASOLINAHAN BEHIND THE GAS LUYO SA STATION GASOLINAHAN FACING THE GAS ATBANG SA STATION GASOLINAHAN IN FRONT OF THE ATUBANGAN SA GAS STATION GASOLINAHAN GO UP / GO SA TA-AS / SA

GOT ANYTHING BIGGER? SMALLER? GOT ANYTHING ELSE? CAN I HAVE A BAG?

WA'Y DAGKO? WA'Y GAGMAY? WA'Y LAIN?

DOWN OBUS RIGHT HERE DIRI RA GO THAT WAY DIHA NEXT DOOR SA PIKAS ALONG THE DAPLIN SA ROAD KARSADA AT THE CORNER SA ESKINA SMALL TALK WHAT'S YOUR UNSA IMONG NAME? PANGALAN? HOW OLD ARE PILA IMONG YOU? IDAD? DO YOU HAVE NA'A KA'Y MGA KIDS? ANAK? WHAT DO YOU UNSA IMONG DO? TRABAHO? DO YOU HAVE A NA'A KA'Y BUSINESS? NEGOSYO? WHERE DO YOU ASA KA LIVE? NAGPUYO? WHERE ARE YOU TAGA ASA KA? FROM? WHAT ABOUT IKAW? YOU?

BASIC GRAMMAR
Cebuanos are not that bothered by the accuracy of their utterances if the implication is fairly obvious. Hence, you can say you will go buy "egg," without specifying the number; since eggs are usually bought in a larger number than one, the listener will understand that you mean multiple eggs, rather than just one egg. However, if it is important, it can be made clear that the noun is plural. Instead of attaching S as a suffix, as we do in English, precede the noun by mga. If you have a hard time pronouncing this word, just say mugger. LIBRO BOOK MGA LIBRO BOOKS ESTUDYANTE STUDENT MGA STUDENTS ESTUDYANTE NGIPUN TOOTH MGA NGIPUN TEETH

Pronouns are a bit hard in Cebuano. Let's take "you" as an example. In English, the word "you" is used for both "You are so beautiful" and "I'll kill you". The Cebuano language distinguishes between the two usages because in the first instance, "you" is the object, while in the second instance, "you" is the subject. Moreover, as in many other languages, a distinction is made between the singular and plural you. OBJECT SUBJECT POSSESSIVE I/ME I/ME MINE AKO/KO NAKO/KO AKONG YOU YOU YOUR [SINGULAR] [SINGULAR] [SINGULAR] IKAW/KA NIMO/MO IMONG YOU YOU YOUR [PLURAL] [PLURAL] [PLURAL] KAMO/MO NINYO INYONG HE/SHE HER/HIM HERS/HIS SIYA/SYA NIYA IYANG THEY THEM THEIR SILA NILA ILANG WE US OUR [INCLUDING [INCLUDING [INCLUDING LISTENER] LISTENER] LISTENER] KITA NATO/TO ATONG WE US OUR [EXCLUDING [EXCLUDING [EXCLUDING LISTENER] LISTENER] LISTENER] KAMI/MI NAMO AMONG As you can see, Cebuano makes no distinction between "his" and "her." Consequently even Cebuanos fluent in English inevitably get their genders wrong. They'll say, without realizing their mistake, things like "My brother and her wife are coming over" and so on. There are two words that are essential in Cebuano, na and pa. The former means "already" and the latter means "still" or "yet"; together these two terms indicate tense and time. KAON NA KO I ATE KAON PA KO I'LL BE EATING [LATER] Tense and time are also indicated by the prefix attached to verbs, which is mi for past tense and

mo for future tense. The exception is when something hasn't taken place, when mo is used for a past occurrence (that hasn't actually occurred). In addition, the form of negation also changes according to space in time. There are two forms of "no." While wala is for things that happened in the past, dili is for things in the future. Hence, the negative response to "Did you eat?" is "Wala" and the negative response to "Do you speak Cebuano?" is "Dili." Wala and dili can also mean "didn't" or "won't." DILI SYA MODAGAN MIDAGAN NA SILA WALA PA KO MODAGAN MODAGAN PA TA HE/SHE WON'T RUN THEY ALREADY RAN I HAVEN'T RUN YET WE'LL STILL RUN

Describing things is fairly easy. The word meaning "very" or "excessive" (ka-ayo) goes behind the adjective. Otherwise, describe something by putting the adjective in front and using nga. If the adjective ends in a vowel, nga may be abbreviated into ng and attached to the end of the adjective. Now, nga is pronounced exactly as it is spelled, which makes it a bit hard for Anglophones. Practice by saying NNNG!Ha! and squeezing everything together as quickly as possible. INIT KA-AYO MAHAL KA-AYO ITUM NGA IRING PULANG KABAYO LALAKI NGA IGSO-ON TIGUWANG NGA MEKANIKO ARIEL NGA TIDE VERY HOT TOO EXPENSIVE BLACK CAT RED HORSE BROTHER OLD MECHANIC ARIEL-BRAND DETERGENT

Let's try descriptive sentences. Use ang if the object being described is a thing, or si if you are describing something with a proper name, such as a person or a pet.

INIT ANG ADLAW. MAHAL ANG ISDA. DATO SI IMELDA. DAWTAN SI FERDINAND.

THE SUN IS HOT. THE FISH IS EXPENSIVE. IMELDA IS RICH. FERDINAND IS EVIL.

Similarly, "of" is either sa if the possessor is a thing, or ni if the possessor has a proper name. ISDA SA DAGAT FISH FROM THE OCEAN MGA IRO SA THE NEIGHBOR'S SILINGAN DOGS SAKYANAN NI JUAN'S CAR JUAN MGA UYAB NI JOANNE'S JOANNE BOYFRIENDS Just one more lesson and you'll be up and running (or sputtering). You can think of "the" as being ug or sa. This may be confusing because both of these words have other meanings (ug means "and"; sa means "of" or "at"). Though ug and sa are interchangeable, it seems that ug is slightly more common, so I usually stick to ug. MODALA KO UG MGA PLATO INUM UG GATAS PALIT UG GAPAS SA TINDAHAN SA AKONG SILINGAN I'LL BRING PLATES DRINK THE MILK BUY COTTON AT MY NEIGHBOR'S STORE

Congratulations! You've just completed a crash course in colloquial Cebuano. Since Cebuano reading material is limited, and instructive literature is hard to come by and of questionable quality, you'd better enroll at a language school if you want to take it to the next level. There are plenty to choose from. Market rates seem to be about 2500 - 5000 pesos per month, and courses last about six months. I've come across Mormon missionaries who speak beautiful Cebuano despite having arrived fairly recently, so I guess it is possible to rapidly become fluent if you work hard at it.