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?