If you’re planning on traveling around the Philippines, learning basic Bisaya phrases will greatly benefit you. If you think you’ll easily be able to get around by simply being able to speak Tagalog, you’re mistaken.

While most Filipinos can understand Tagalog, many still have a hard time using it especially in Bisaya-dominated regions where native languages are well-entrenched in the local populace. You may find it difficult to explain to a habal-habal driver in a remote town in Agusan where you want to go, or purchase pasalubong in Cebu without being offered the “tourist price” because you speak Tagalog and obviously aren’t a local.

Bisaya has a lot of variations. There’s Waray-Waray, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Boholano, Surigaonon, Kamayo, Butuanon, Kinaray-a, and more. However, it is Cebuano that can easily be understood in most parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

Here are some helpful Bisaya words and phrases that are Cebuano in origin. Use them when you feel like the other party can’t comprehend or converse well enough in Tagalog, or use them just because you can!

Transportation



Moving from one place to another is a primary component of traveling. From reaching your hotel, to exploring a number of local attractions, to going home after a whole day tour of the city — all these involve transportation. So here are some Cebuano words and phrases which you may find helpful as you hit the road


Lugar lang!

When calling the attention of the jeepney/multicab/tricycle/habal-habal/bus driver to stop, instead of saying “para!” or stop, say: “Lugar lang!”

Bayad palihog

When passing your fare to people inside a jeep or multicab, say: “bayad palihog” (payment please). It’s like “bayad pakisuyo” in Tagalog.

Pila man ang pasahe?

When asking “How much is the fare?”, say: “Pila man ang pasahe?”

Unsay oras ni molarga?

When asking “What time will this leave?”, say: “Unsay oras ni molarga?” This is equivalent to “Anong oras ‘to aalis?” in Tagalog.

Unya pa/Taudtaod

When the driver or konduktor wants to tell you “later,” he’ll say: “unya pa” or simply “unya.” Alternatively, “taudtaod” also means later but somehow closer in time, like in just a few more minutes or in Tagalog translation “maya-maya.”

Karon na

When the driver or konduktor wants to tell you “now”, he’ll say: “karon na” or simply “karon.”

Ugma - Tomorrow

Gahapon - Yesterday

Buntag, Udto, Hapon, Gabii - Morning, Noon, Afternoon, Evening or Night

Pila ka oras ang byahe?

When asking “How many hours is the ride?”, in Cebuano you say: “Pila ka oras ang byahe?” Don’t be confused with pila and pila ka. Pila is like “ilan” or “magkano” in Tagalog while pila ka is somehow equivalent to “ilang” or “magkanong.” Eg. “Pila tanan?” (Ilan/Magkano lahat?) as opposed to “Pila ka buok?” (Ilang piraso?). This is also applicable in numbers like, “duha” means “dalawa” in Tagalog while “duha ka” is somehow but not exactly equivalent to “dalawang” in Tagalog.

Asa ka moadto? / Asa ka manaog?

“Asa ka moadto”? – When the driver or konduktor wants to ask you “Where will you alight?” he’ll say: “Asa ka manaog?” When he wants to ask you “Where are you going?” he’ll say: “Asa ka moadto?” or “Asa ka padulong?”

Diri, Diha, Didto

Diri means here or “dito” in Tagalog. Diha means there but is nearer like “dyan” in Tagalog. Didto also means there but is farther like “doon” in Tagalog.


Sample Conversation:

You: Asa dapit ang terminal pa-Tagbilaran? (Where is the terminal to Tagbilaran?)

Guard: Diha sa pikas mga walo ka metros gikan diri. (There on the side about 8 meters from here.)

You: Salamat kaayo manong! (Thanks a lot, manong!)

Guard: Ok Ayoayo! (Ok Take care!)

You: Unsay oras molarga ang barko pa-Tagbilaran, Ma’am? (What time will the ship leave for Tagbilaran, Ma’am?) NOTE: unsa = “ano” while unsay = “anong”

Ticket Seller: Unya pa mga alas-tres. (Later around 3:00pm.)

You: Pila man ang pasahe? (How much is the fare?)

Ticket Seller: Tulo ka gatos (300)

You: Palihog ko usa (One please.)

Ticket Seller: Moadto ba ka sa Chocolate Hills? (Are you going to the Chocolate Hills?)

You: Oo ugma! (Yes tomorrow!) NOTE: There’s no “po” and “opo” in Cebuano

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