Basic Filipino Words and Phrases for your Trip to the Philippines (Part 2 - Cebuano)

This is part 2 of my post Basic Filipino Words and Phrases for your Trip to the Philippines (Part 1 - Tagalog).

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The Cebuano also known locally as "Bisaya" language is widely spoken in the central and southern part of the Philippines, the Visayas and Mindanao regions. In fact, there are more Cebuano native language speakers than Tagalog. The map below indicates the part of the country where it is predominantly spoken.

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These are the basic words and phrases you can use to communicate in Cebuano

Again, you can say "Hello" or "Hi", for greetings.

How are you? - Kumusta ka?
Fine or good - maayo

Good morning- Maayong Buntag
Good afternoon - Maayong Hapon
Good evening - Maayong Gabii
Good day - Maayong Adlaw

Yes - Oo
No - Dili
I don't know - Wala ko kabalo
Bad - daotan

Who - Kinsa
Where - Asa
When - Kanus-a
Why - Ngano
How - Gi-unsa
Goodbye - Babay (You can still use bye or goodbye in English)

Excuse me - Tabi sa (You can still use excuse me)
Sorry - Pasayloa (Sorry is also acceptable)
Where's the restroom? - Asa ang banyo? or Asa ang C.R. ?

Please - Palihug
Thank you - Salamat
Thank you very much - Daghang salamat
You're welcome - Way sapayan

Buy - Palit ko or Papalita ko
How much? - Tagpila?

If you want to bargain:
Nang (for women), Nong (for men), puwede hangyo? (Sir/ Ma'am, Can I get a bargain?)
Or if you want to be persistent in bargaining:
For a saleslady: Sige na bi, guapa bitaw ka. (Please, you know you are beautiful.)
For a salesman: Sige na bi, guapo bitaw ka. (Please, you know you are handsome.)

The Cebuanos are one of the jolliest group of people in the Philippines and they like to call male buddies "bai". You can use it to address a man if you want to talk to him. For same age or younger women, you can call them "dai" which is short for "Inday" a common nickname for Visayan women.

And again always communicate with a smile. It can put you and the person you're talking to in a comfortable state. It's a given that Filipinos are well known for their hospitality and you'll surely enjoy mingling with the locals. So go explore!

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Laag ta bai! (Let's go travel, friend!)

❝If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.❞
‒Nelson Mandela

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