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.

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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

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