Learn Cebuano: Basic Phrases You Should Know

Asking my friends from Tunisia, Belgium, Estonia and Netherlands to speak Cebuano

Learning a new language is like entering a portal to another world. It's magical and truly exhilarating.

Today I'd like to take you into another place by teaching you a little bit about my language, Cebuano.

Cebuano is a member of the Western, or Indonesian, branch of the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) language family. It is spoken by over 18.5 million people in the Philippines.

Our language is also heavily influenced by the Spanish language as we were under their colony for 333 years.

Let's start with a few basic phrases.

WH Questions

Before anything else, let's discuss the basic WH questions and their translations in Cebuano. They are as follows:

What - Unsa
Where- Asa
When- Kanus-a
Who- Kinsa

Now let's try using them in simple phrases.

1. What is your name? (Unsa imong pangalan?)

1. Where is the airport? (Asa ang airport? )

1. When are we leaving? (Kanus-a ta molakaw?)

2. Who are you? (Kinsa ka?)

Introducing yourself:

In English: My name is ________________.
In Cebuano: Ako si ___________________.

Asking if a girl/ boy is single

Naa kay uyab? (Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?)

Minyo ka? (Are you married?)

Naa kay asawa? (Do you have a wife?)

Naa kay bana? (Do you have a husband?)

Saying I love you

Gihigugma ko ikaw.

Asking For Help

Help in Cebuano is tabang. You may use the following phrases.

Tabangi ko! (Help me!)

Palihug, tabangi ko! (Please, help me.)

Help! (Tabang)

Basic Greetings

Ayo

The Cebuano language are sometimes shortened. For example, the word maayo (good) is used by Cebuanos in various ways, including as a substitute for knocking on people's doors. When someone wants to enter a house, they often say ayo ayo, until someone answers or opens the door for them.

Here are other basic greetings to master.

How are you? Kumusta

Good morning! - Maayong buntag!

Good afternoon - Maayong udto

Good evening. -Maayong gabie

Oh My God! - Ginoo ko

Welcome (To welcome home.)! - Maayong pag-abot.

You're welcome. - Walay sapayan.