Bisaya — also called Cebuano or Visayan — is spoken by more than 22 million people across Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Davao, and over a dozen Philippine provinces. Whether you're visiting the Visayas, in a relationship with someone from Cebu, joining a Filipino family, or reconnecting with your Bisaya roots abroad, these 302 phrases cover roughly 80% of situations you'll encounter in daily life. Every phrase includes the native Bisaya text, a phonetic pronunciation guide with stressed syllables marked in capitals (so sah-LAH-maht means stress the second syllable), and cultural notes where context matters. Unlike a static PDF phrasebook, every underlined Bisaya word in this guide links directly to its dictionary entry — tap or click any word to see its full definition, example sentences, and usage notes. Looking to translate individual words? Try our Bisaya to English translator (775+ Cebuano words) or the English to Bisaya translator (445+ entries with pronunciation). How this phrasebook is organized: The 302 phrases are grouped into 11 categories — Greetings & Introductions , Common Phrases , Questions , Transportation , Directions , Food & Dining , Shopping , Money & Currency , Emergency , Feelings & Emotions , Respect & Politeness . Use the jump links below to navigate directly to the section you need, or use the search bar to find any phrase instantly. Start with the Greetings section — phrases like Kumusta ka? (How are you?) and Salamat (Thank you) open every interaction. Then work through the category most relevant to your situation: travelers need Transportation and Directions, food lovers should explore Dining, and those learning for a partner should prioritize Feelings & Expressions. The entire guide is cross-checked against Wolff's Cebuano Visayan Dictionary by native speakers. 👋 Greetings & Introductions Greetings & Introductions Phrases How to greet, introduce yourself, and say goodbye Greetings & Introductions Kumusta is more formal, Hello is also commonly used Greetings & Introductions koo-MOOS-tah kah Greetings & Introductions I'm fine, thank you mah-AH-yo mahn koh, sah-LAH-maht Greetings & Introductions Greetings & Introductions mah-AH-yo AH-yo rah Greetings & Introductions mah-AH-yong boon-TAHG Greetings & Introductions mah-AH-yong hah-PON Greetings & Introductions mah-AH-yong gah-BEE-ee Greetings & Introductions mah-AH-yong ood-TOH Used specifically around 12 noon Greetings & Introductions mah-AH-yong gah-BEE-ee / mah-TOO-log nah koh Matulog na ko means 'I'm going to sleep now' Greetings & Introductions What is your name? oon-SAH ee-MONG ngah-LAHN Greetings & Introductions ahng ah-KONG ngah-LAHN kai Greetings & Introductions personal name marker Shorter way to introduce yourself Greetings & Introductions Nice to meet you linker particle nah-lee-PAI koh ngah nahg-KEE-tah tah Greetings & Introductions Where are you from? tah-GAH ah-SAH kah Greetings & Introductions tah-GAH ... koh Example: Taga-America ko (I'm from America) Greetings & Introductions How old are you? pee-LAH nah ee-MONG eh-DAHD Greetings & Introductions I am ... years old ... AHN-yos nah koh Example: Baynte singko anyos na ko (I'm 25 years old) Greetings & Introductions What do you do? (occupation) oon-SAH ee-MONG trah-BAH-ho Greetings & Introductions ehs-tood-YAHN-teh koh Greetings & Introductions too-REES-tah koh Greetings & Introductions Informal, like 'bye' Greetings & Introductions ahd-TOH nah koh Common way to say goodbye when leaving Greetings & Introductions KEE-tah tah oon-YAH Greetings & Introductions See you tomorrow KEE-tah tah oog-MAH Greetings & Introductions Greetings & Introductions Go ahead (you may leave) see-GEH ahd-TOH nah Said when giving someone permission to leave Greetings & Introductions Polite way to excuse yourself Greetings & Introductions kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn nah koh moh-LAH-kaw Greetings & Introductions It was nice talking to you linker particle nah-lee-PAI koh ngah nah-kah-ees-TOHR-yah tah Greetings & Introductions Let's talk again sometime mahg-ees-TOHR-yah nah lahng tah sah SOO-nod Greetings & Introductions I'm busy right now BEE-zee koh kah-RON Greetings & Introductions Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year mah-AH-yohng PAHS-koh oog mah-oos-WAH-gohng BAH-gohng TOO-eeg Greetings & Introductions Happy Birthday, Tita! linker particle mah-AH-yohng AHD-law ngah nah-tah-WAHN 💬 Common Phrases Common Phrases Phrases Everyday expressions you'll use often Thank you very much sah-LAH-maht kah-AH-yo wah-LAI sah-pah-YAHN Excuse me / Sorry pah-sai-LOH-ah koh SOH-ree / pah-SEN-syah nah I don't understand wah-LAH koh kah-SAH-bot nah-kah-SAH-bot koh Can you repeat that? question particle PWEH-deh bah oos-BON Please speak slowly pah-lee-HOOG hee-NAI hee-NAI lahng kah-dee-YOHT lahng It's okay / Never mind oh-KAY rah / ai-YAW lahng teeng-GAH-lee / BAH-seen wah-LAH koh kah-hee-BAH-loh Can I...? / May I...? question particle PWEH-deh bah koh I miss you, babe (text) MEENG-aw nah koh NEE-moh, beh Questions Phrases How to ask questions in Bisaya pee-LAH kah boo-OK Where are you going? ah-SAH kah pah-doo-LONG Where is the bathroom? ah-SAH ahng kah-SEEL-yahs Do you speak English? kah-hee-BAH-loh kah mahg-ENG-lish Is this correct? question particle SAHK-toh bah nee What time is it? oon-SAHNG oh-RAH-sah nah 🚐 Transportation Transportation Phrases Getting around by jeepney, bus, tricycle, and more I want to go to... goos-TOH koh moh-AHD-toh sah How do I get to...? oon-sah-ON pahg-AHD-toh sah Where is the jeepney stop? ah-SAH ahng pah-rah-DAH-hahn sah jeep Where is the bus terminal? ah-SAH ahng ter-mee-NAHL sah bus Is this jeepney going to...? question particle linker particle moh-AHD-toh bah nee ngah jeep sah Does this pass by...? question particle moh-AH-gee bah nee sah Stop here please (to driver) PAH-rah / loo-GAHR lahng PARA is the most common way to ask the driver to stop I'll get off here nah-AI mah-nah-OG Literally 'someone is getting off' Getting off! (to announce) How much is the fare to...? pee-LAH ahng pah-mah-SAH-heh pah-een-GON sah Here's the payment Say this when handing money to the driver or passing it forward Please pass the payment pah-lee-HOOG ee-PAH-sah ahng BAH-yahd In jeepneys, passengers pass money forward to the driver Do you have change? nah-AI SOOK-lee My change please SOOK-lee pah-lee-HOOG Move over a bit (make room) pah-lee-HOOG pah-AH-gee Asking fellow passengers to make space How much to...? tahg-pee-LAH pah-een-GON sah For tricycles/pedicabs, negotiate price before riding That's too expensive mah-HAHL kah-AH-yo Can you lower it? PWEH-deh pah-oob-SAHN Special trip (exclusive ride) You hire the whole vehicle for yourself Regular (shared ride) REH-gyoo-lahr / HAH-bahl Shared with other passengers, cheaper Please use the meter pah-lee-HOOG gah-MEE-tah ahng MET-roh Turn right here LEE-koh too-OH dee-REE LEE-koh wah-LAH dee-REE dee-RET-soh lahng dee-REE nah lahng A little further gah-MAI pah oo-NAH-hahn Is there traffic? nah-AH bai TRAH-peek We're stuck in traffic nah-TRAH-peek tah question particle question particle doo-OHL rah bah How long will it take? oon-SAH kah doo-GAI nah-WAH-lah koh / nah-LEE-bog koh Can you drop me off at...? PWEH-deh koh ee-HAH-tood sah Where can I catch a jeepney to...? ah-SAH koh mah-kah-SAH-kai oog jeep pah-een-GON sah Where's the boat to Bohol? AH-sah ahng sah-KAH-yahn pah-DOO-lohng sah boh-HOHL How much is the fare? PEE-lah ahng PLEH-teh Stop here, sir! PAH-rah DEE-ree, mah-NOHNG Can you drop me off? question particle PWEH-deh bah ee-HAH-tood koh Does this go to the terminal? question particle moh-KOO-yohg bah nee Is it still far? question particle LAH-yoh pah bah How many kilometers? PEE-lah kah kee-LOH-meh-troh Is there a Grab here? NAH-ah bai grab DEE-ree Directions Phrases Navigating and asking for directions 'Wala' also means 'none' - context determines meaning dee-RET-soh lahng Over there (visible) Used for places you can point to ah-too-BAHNG-ahn sah ah-too-BAH-ngahn Beside / Next to sah KEE-lid / sah TAH-pahd sah toong-AH toong-AH es-KEE-nah / KAHN-toh Across (the street) sah PEE-kahs / sah TAH-bok sah tah-AHS / sah ee-BAH-baw sah OO-bos / sah SEE-long Very near / Just there doo-OHL rah kah-AH-yo lah-YOH kah-AH-yo Walking distance LAH-kaw LAH-kaw rah About 5 minutes mgah SEENG-koh mee-NOO-tos mer-KAH-doh / pah-LENG-keh ehs-TAHS-yon sah poo-LEES EHR-port / toog-pah-HAH-nahn peer / pahn-TAH-lahn res-tow-RAHNT / kahn-AH-nahn Cross the street TAH-bok sah kahr-SAH-dah pah-DAH-yon lahng Where's the nearest ATM? linker particle AH-sah ahng pee-nah-kah-DOO-ohl ngah 🍽️ Food & Dining Food & Dining Phrases Ordering food and dining phrases Rice (uncooked) raw/uncooked rice goos-TOH koh moh-kah-ON Common invitation before meals Come eat with us DAH-lee kah-ON tah Have you eaten? nah-kah-kah-ON nah kah Common greeting, shows care I haven't eaten yet wah-LAH pah koh kah-kah-ON nah-kah-kah-ON nah koh I would like to order... goos-TOH koh moh-OR-der oog What do you recommend? oon-SAH ee-MONG mah-reh-koh-MEND What's your specialty? oon-SAH ahng speh-SHAL-tee NEEN-yo I'll have this one kah-NEE ah-KONG koo-HAH-on One order of... oo-SAH kah OR-der sah Extra rice please doo-GAHNG kahn-ON pah-lee-HOOG No spice please (not spicy) ai-YAW lahng ahng-HAHNG-ah / dee-LEE ahng-HAHNG A little spicy only gah-MAI lahng ahng-HAHNG wah-LAI oo-TAHN wah-LAI KAHR-neh Less salt please gah-MAI lahng ah-SEEN Can I change my order? question particle PWEH-deh bah oos-BON ah-KONG OR-der question particle ahng-HAHNG bah nee What is this dish? oon-SAH neeng pahg-kah-OH-nah Does this have pork? nah-AI BAH-boy ah-NEE question particle PRES-koh bah nee What are the ingredients? oon-SAH ahng mgah SAHNG-kahp The bill, please pah-lee-HOOG ahng bah-YAHD How much is everything? pee-LAH tah-NAHN ah-KOH ahng moh-BAH-yahd Let's split the bill

KAHN-yah KAHN-yah tah bah-YAHD Keep the change kah-NEE-moh nah ahng SOOK-lee Very delicious! lah-MEE kah-AH-yo boo-SOG nah koh PAH-raht kah-AH-yo tahm-EES kah-AH-yo It's cold already What dishes do you have? OON-sai ee-NYOHNG SOOD-ahn Give me humba and puso, please hah-TAH-gee kohg HOOM-bah oog POO-soh, pah-LEE-hohg No chili, please wah-LAI SEE-lee, pah-LEE-hohg TOO-beeg, pah-LEE-hohg I'd like the bill pah-BAH-yahd, pah-LEE-hohg The food is delicious LAH-mee kah-AH-yoh ahng SOOD-ahn Can I have more? question particle PWEH-deh bah DOO-gahng BOO-sohg nah koh Vinegared raw fish, please kee-NEE-law, pah-LEE-hohg Shopping Phrases Shopping, bargaining, and sari-sari store phrases How much is this? How much is that? tahg-pee-LAH ahng ee-SAH mah-HAHL kah-AH-yo Can you lower the price? question particle PWEH-deh bah pah-oob-SAHN What's your best price? pee-LAH nah ahng pee-nah-kah-OO-bos Can you give a discount? question particle PWEH-deh bah DEES-kownt pah-lee-TON nah-KOH nee I'm just looking nahg-tahn-AW lahng koh Fixed price already TAH-mah nah nah PRES-yoh Seller saying price is final That's the lowest mah-OH nah nai pee-nah-kah-OO-bos We don't have that wah-LAH mee ah-NAH hoo-ROHT nah / wah-LAH nai stock Okay, I'll take it see-GEH koo-HAH-on nah-KOH No thanks, too expensive dee-LEE nah lahng mah-HAHL mahn I'll think about it hoo-nah-hoo-NAH-on nah-KOH BAH-seen oon-YAH nah lahng moh-BAH-lik koh Do you have...? Common question at sari-sari stores HAH-tahg oo-SAH kah One piece of... oo-SAH kah boo-OK One sachet of... oo-SAH kah teeng-EE sah Tingi means small/sachet portions Can I pay later? PWEH-deh oo-TAHNG Asking for credit (common at sari-sari stores) Do you have a bigger size? nah-AI mahs DAH-koh Do you have a smaller size? nah-AI mahs gah-MAI Do you have other colors? nah-AI lah-EENG KOH-lor Can I try this on? question particle PWEH-deh bah nah-KOH soo-LAH-yahn Where is the fitting room? ah-SAH ahng FIT-teeng room Do you accept credit card? moh-ahk-SEPT moh oog KREH-dit kahrd How much per kilo of pork? tahg-PEE-lah ahng BAH-boy 💰 Money & Currency Money & Currency Phrases Understanding Philippine Peso and exchanging money Money & Currency Philippine Peso Official currency of the Philippines Money & Currency 100 sentimo = 1 piso Money & Currency oo-SAH kah PEE-soh Money & Currency SEENG-koh PEH-sos / LEE-mah kah PEE-soh Money & Currency dee-YES PEH-sos / nah-POO-loh kah PEE-soh Money & Currency Twenty peso coin BAIN-teh PEH-sos Money & Currency Twenty peso bill BAIN-teh / dohs BAIN-teh Money & Currency Fifty peso bill Money & Currency One hundred peso bill see-YEN-toh / oo-SAH kah GAH-tos Money & Currency Five hundred peso bill LEE-mah kah GAH-tos Money & Currency One thousand peso bill oo-SAH kah LEE-boh Money & Currency Where can I exchange money? ah-SAH koh PWEH-deh mahg-pah-EE-lis oog KWAHR-tah Money & Currency What is the exchange rate? pee-LAH ahng eks-CHAYNJ rayt Money & Currency I want to exchange dollars goos-TOH koh mahg-pah-EE-lis oog DOH-lahrs Money & Currency Do you have smaller bills? linker particle nah-AI mahs gah-MAI ngah KWAHR-tah Money & Currency Can you break this? question particle PWEH-deh bah ee-LEE-sahn nee Asking to break large bills into smaller ones Money & Currency Is this the official rate? question particle linker particle mah-OH bah nee ahng oh-pees-YAHL ngah rayt Always check official rates before exchanging Money & Currency Please count it again pah-lee-HOOG ee-HAH-pon BAH-lik Money & Currency This doesn't seem right daw dee-LEE SAHK-toh nee Money & Currency I need a receipt kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn koh oog reh-SEE-boh Money & Currency Where is the bank? ah-SAH ahng BAHNG-koh Banks usually offer better rates than street changers Money & Currency Where is the ATM? ah-SAH ahng ay-tee-EM Emergency Phrases Important phrases for emergencies kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn koh oog tah-BAHNG Call the police tah-WAHG oog poo-LEES Call an ambulance tah-WAHG oog ahm-boo-LAHNS-yah mah-sah-kee-TON koh nah-SAHM-dahn koh kah-WAH-tahn / too-LEE-sahn I lost my wallet nah-WAH-lah ah-KONG pee-TAH-kah I lost my passport nah-WAH-lah ah-KONG PAHS-port Where is the police station? ah-SAH ahng ehs-TAHS-yon sah poo-LEES I lost my passport nah-wah-LAH ah-KOHNG pah-sah-POHR-teh 😊 Feelings & Emotions Feelings & Emotions Phrases Express how you feel Feelings & Emotions mah-lee-PAH-yon mah-lee-PAH-yon koh Feelings & Emotions mah-soo-lob-ON koh Feelings & Emotions Feelings & Emotions gee-hee-goog-MAH tee-KAH Feelings & Emotions gee-mee-NGAW koh nee-MOH Feelings & Emotions nah-SOO-koh koh Feelings & Emotions nah-hahd-LOK koh Feelings & Emotions Feelings & Emotions gee-BOHRD koh / BOH-reeng Feelings & Emotions nahg-kah-bah-LAH-kah nahg-kah-bah-LAH-kah koh Feelings & Emotions meeng-AH-wohn koh NEE-moh Feelings & Emotions ee-MOH-hah rah koh Feelings & Emotions pee-NAHNG-gah TEE-kah Feelings & Emotions pah-KAHS-lahn TEE-kah Feelings & Emotions Let's save for our future mahg-TEE-gohm tah PAH-rah sah AH-tohng oo-mah-AH-boht Feelings & Emotions I'll help you no matter what tah-BAHNG-ahn TEE-kah BEE-sahn OON-sah Feelings & Emotions Forgive me, please pah-sai-LOH-ah koh, pah-LEE-hohg Feelings & Emotions Let's talk it out mahg-sah-BOHT-sah-boht tah Feelings & Emotions Still you. Only you, really. ee-KAW gee-HAH-pohn. ee-KAW rah jood 🙏 Respect & Politeness Respect & Politeness Phrases Showing respect, especially to elders Respect & Politeness Bless (hand gesture to forehead) polite particle Take elder's hand and touch to your forehead as sign of respect Respect & Politeness Response to Mano (God bless you) kah-LOO-oy sah dee-YOS What elders say after receiving mano Respect & Politeness Sir (for older men) KOO-yah / mah-NONG / tai Kuya = older brother, Manong = older man, Tay = father figure Respect & Politeness Ma'am (for older women) AH-teh / mah-NAHNG / nai Ate = older sister, Manang = older woman, Nay = mother figure Respect & Politeness Respect & Politeness Respect & Politeness Excuse me (to pass by someone) polite particle TAH-bee / TAH-bee poh Say when passing by someone, especially elders Respect & Politeness Excuse me (to get attention) pah-lee-HOOG lahng Respect & Politeness With respect (polite particle) polite particle polite particle Add to sentences when speaking to elders: 'Oo po' (Yes, with respect) Respect & Politeness Welcoming someone into your home Respect & Politeness Please sit down pah-lee-HOOG leeng-KOD Respect & Politeness After you (letting someone go first) OO-nah lahng kah / ee-KAW oo-NAH Respect & Politeness Thank you for your hospitality sah-LAH-maht sah pahg-DAH-waht Respect & Politeness gee-TAH-hod tee-KAH Respect & Politeness Good evening, Tito / Tita mah-AH-yohng gah-BEE-ee Respect & Politeness Thank you for welcoming me sah-LAH-maht sah pahg-DAH-waht NEE-nyoh NAH-koh Respect & Politeness Can I help with the dishes? PWEH-deh koh moh-TAH-bahng sah HOO-gahs Respect & Politeness The food is delicious, Mama LAH-mee kah-AH-yoh ahng SOOD-ahn Respect & Politeness Thanks for taking care of us sah-LAH-maht sah ee-MOHNG pahg-AHM-peeng NAH-moh Respect & Politeness You look like sisters MOO-rah mohng mah-nahg-SOO-ohn Respect & Politeness [Name] is so kind personal name marker boo-OH-tahn kah-AH-yoh Respect & Politeness Thanks for the invitation sah-LAH-maht sah pahg-DAH-peet How to Practice These Bisaya Phrases Use the daily 10-phrase rule. Pick 10 phrases from a single category each day. Study them in the morning, use them in imagined conversations throughout the day, and review them before bed. After one month you'll have covered all 302 phrases and started the natural spiral of spaced repetition. Speak out loud — don't just read. Bisaya has a rhythmic stress pattern that you can only internalize through speaking, not reading. Use the capitalized syllables in the pronunciation guide as your stress map, then say each phrase five times aloud. Your mouth needs to learn the rhythm as much as your brain needs to learn the meaning. Drill with the practice quiz. Active recall outperforms passive reading by 3–5x for long-term retention. After studying a category here, head to /practice and test yourself on those phrases. The quiz forces your brain to retrieve, not just recognize — that's what builds real fluency. Pair phrases with grammar lessons. Phrases get you started; grammar gives you the ability to modify them. Once you can say Pila ni? (How much is this?), the grammar guide teaches you how to ask about anything: Pila ang...? applied to jeepney fares, market prices, restaurant bills. Grammar turns 302 phrases into thousands. Frequently Asked Questions About Bisaya Phrases How many Bisaya phrases do I need to know? Research on language acquisition shows that 200–300 high-frequency phrases cover roughly 80% of daily conversations. The 302 phrases in this guide were selected specifically for that coverage. Start with Greetings, Common Phrases, and Food — those three categories alone (62 phrases) will get you through most everyday interactions. Are these phrases used in Cebu, Bohol, and Davao? Yes. These phrases are standard Cebuano/Bisaya, spoken across Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Negros Oriental, and large parts of Mindanao including Davao City. Minor accent differences exist between regions, but the vocabulary and grammar are mutually understood everywhere Bisaya is the dominant language. How do I pronounce the Bisaya 'ng' sound? The 'ng' in Bisaya is the same nasal sound as the 'ng' at the end of 'sing' or 'ring' in English. Unlike English, Bisaya uses this sound at the start of words too — for example, ngalan (name) and ngano (why). Practice by saying 'singing' quickly, then isolate and hold the middle 'ng' sound. What's the difference between formal and informal Bisaya? Formality in Bisaya is shown less through verb conjugations and more through vocabulary choices and respectful phrasing. Bisaya doesn't use the Tagalog particles 'po' or 'ho' — instead, respect to elders comes through word choice, tone, and terms like 'palihug' (please, kindly) and 'salamat kaayo' (thank you very much). 'Palihug' and 'salamat' are always appropriate. The vocabulary itself stays largely the same across registers — it's the phrasing and tone that shift. Can I use these phrases in Tagalog-speaking regions? In Metro Manila and other Tagalog-speaking areas, most people won't understand Bisaya. However, Filipino multilingualism means many residents understand basic phrases, and English is widely spoken in cities. Reserve these phrases for the Visayas, Mindanao, or when speaking directly to Bisaya-speaking family and friends. What are the most useful Bisaya phrases for tourists? The six highest-value tourist phrases are: Para! (Stop here — the jeepney signal), Pila ni? (How much is this?), Mahal kaayo (Too expensive), Asa ang...? (Where is...?), Salamat (Thank you), and Lami kaayo! (Very delicious!). Master these six and you can navigate markets, transport, and restaurants across the Visayas. How long does it take to memorize 100 Bisaya phrases? With 20–30 minutes of daily practice, most learners reach solid recall of 100 phrases in 2–3 weeks. The key is spaced repetition: review new phrases on day 1, 3, 7, and 14. Active drilling outperforms passive reading — use the TalkBisaya practice quiz to test yourself rather than just reading through the list. Are these phrases good for talking to my Filipino family? Absolutely — and your in-laws will love the effort. Start with respect gestures: Mano (the hand-blessing gesture with elders, used across Filipino culture regardless of language) paired with genuine Bisaya, not Tagalog 'po.' Then add food phrases: Lami kaayo ang sud-an! (The food is delicious!) goes a long way at any Filipino family gathering. Attempting even basic Bisaya shows genuine respect for their language and culture. Related Resources How to read pronunciations Capitalized syllables in the pronunciation guide indicate primary stress. For example, sah-LAH-maht means you stress the second syllable: sa-LA-mat . Bisaya has a relatively regular stress system — once you feel the rhythm in a few dozen words, it becomes intuitive. Enjoying TalkBisaya? If our free Bisaya resources helped you today, consider buying the team a coffee ☕ — it keeps the site alive and growing.