Learn Local Language: Bisaya

Learn Bisaya

Bisaya (commonly known as Cebuano) is the Philippines’ second most widely spoken language. While Tagalog is the first language of the Philippines, Bisaya is the country’s most widely and natively spoken. As you progress in this post, you will learn Bisaya in a novel and interesting style. 

Binisaya, Bisaya, Sebuano, Sugbuanon, Sugbuhanon, and Visayan are all names for Cebuano. It is a dialect spoken widely in the Philippines’ Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao. It is the Philippines’ second most spoken language after Tagalog.

And speaking as a native Cebuano, I’d say Bisaya is a really powerful dialect. It’s a language with profound meanings and ridiculous yet clever jargon. With this article, you can expect your Cebuano vocabulary to increase significantly after reading.  If you wish to study pure Bisaya or Cebuano languages, both common and uncommon, from 0 to 101, you’ve come to the right place.

Fun facts

-The term ‘kandingon’ in Cebuano refers to someone who does not bathe regularly and literally translates as ‘like a goat’! Kanding in Bisaya means ‘goat’

-The saying ‘walay aso nga makomkom’, which roughly translates as ‘you can’t hold smoke,’ signifies that nothing can be kept hidden forever.

-‘bai’ is a common local term for a comrade, fellow, or pal.

-The phrase “patas-anay ug ihi,” which means “longest urine reach,” literally translates mostly in connection to pride. 

Similar to a Spanish term, but spelled differently. In Bisaya, gwapa means “beautiful, pretty, lovely.” It is commonly used to describe a lady. Gwapo, on the other hand, is used to describe a man or a boy. As you can notice, it sounds Spanish; that is because Spaniards long inhabited Cebu. Especially during Magellan’s reign, when his impact was felt throughout Cebu.

Comparable to Spanish. These are words that mean “friends” or “pals.” In English, we usually say, “This is my friend.” However, in Bisaya, this would be “Akoang amiga.”

It translates as “How are you?” Alternatively, “How are you doing?”

-“Botbot,” “Borit,” and “Atik”:

All synonyms for lying, sugarcoating a narrative or saying something that is not true. Cebuanos casually used this, particularly the term “atik” as a form of expression. Atik has been used in practically every conversation to demonstrate how hard it is to believe someone’s story. Atik may also suggest that someone deceives you by using flowery words to win your heart. A female saying “atik mana iyaha” signifies that a guy’s words are too flowery and formulaic for wooing.

A wonderful and universal word. It is derived from the word “Gugma,” meaning “Love.” Nahigugma is a term for someone who is madly in love. This generally refers to someone in a relationship and deeply in love with their lover. Gihigugma, on the other hand, refers to someone who is loved. This refers to the person loved by the one with whom the lover is in love. “Sana all, gihigugma,” we might infer. It means “celebrate everyone who is being loved sincerely.”

Means to look after or care for. This is a precious word to everyone. Please take care of him/her when someone says “gi-atiman” or “atimana.” It is usually used to describe someone who does nursing duties for a sick or elderly person. It can also refer to ‘to nurse.’ Atiman is a verb that implies to look after or cater to. And Gi-atiman is an adjective that indicates someone who is cared for or looked for.

This may also mean “take care,” but it has a different connotation. The phrase “amping” most commonly refers to safe travel or ‘take care on the way to school.’ It is widely used to wish someone safety and to remind them to avoid danger.

If you are trying to learn Bisaya, take note that this is a considerably more technical and ancient Bisaya terminology. Adunahan is a word that signifies affluent or wealthy. This Bisaya term is commonly used to describe a rich family or individual. Adunahan is someone who possesses expensive stuff on Earth and is living in a dream.

It means “dream.” It might be a good or a bad dream. “Damgo” can also allude to nightmares at times. “kumusta imong damgo?” we used to say, which translates as “how was your dream last night?”

This means a wretched or pitiable person. The term kalooy’ can also be used as a noun to indicate mercy or grace. In a Mass, you may always hear ‘kalooy’ or ‘kaloy-an’ as a psalm response. Because it translates to “Lord, have mercy on us.”

If you are trying to learn Bisaya, you need to know this word. Tabang is a Bisaya word that means “help.” It signifies nothing more or less than aid or help. Cebuanos use tabang to ask for assistance. They would constantly exclaim, ‘tabang, malooy ka!’ This signifies ‘help me, feel sorry for me.’ Tabang may also be used as an adjective to denote “a support or an aid.” Thus, it may also be used as an adjective, commonly spelled ‘tabangi.’ Yes, ‘tabang’ with an ‘i’ added as the final letter. Tabangi translates as ‘help him/her or ‘help me.’

It signifies that if something is always available and present, it loses its intriguing aspect. In another sense, it implies predictability and underappreciation. For instance, if you and your lover are always bickering, you will find the scenario “puol.” Because this term also refers to recurring events or occurrences in your life. Puol can also indicate that too much is going on and that it is no longer exciting.

This Bisaya word denotes danger or threat. To instill terror in their children, parents typically warn them by referring to something or someone as “kuyaw.“

It simply means “loud or talkative.” As everyone knows, the slang term for this Bisaya word is “Marites.” This translates to “chismosa,” which means “gossiper” in English. This refers to someone who spreads false news to others without verifying whether or not it is factual and accurate. ‘Tabian,’ on the other hand, is not always a bad thing. Being a tabian may also compliment us, implying that we’re pleasant. Someone who can amuse and interact with others.

Means a question or to ask. Pangutana refers to a ‘query or questions,’ whereas mangutana means ‘to ask.’  That’s all there is to it.

Bisaya is not as tough as you imagine. As a native of Cebuano, I can attest that the Cebuano dialect is sometimes the simplest and most extensive of all. Our language is so powerful that we can express a thousand emotions with only one or two words. For instance, “gihigugma kaayo tika” means “I love you more than anyone else.” We may simplify our sentiments through words by employing deep, old Bisaya vocabulary with river-deep meanings.

Another pertinent element of the Bisaya language is its diverse meanings depending on where you are in Mindanao or Visayas. However, some words are distinguishable due to emphasis or accent. Moreover, various terminologies or dialects in Bisaya carry the same meaning but are expressed by a different phrase/term depending on where you originate. Cooked rice, for instance, is known as ‘kan-on’ in Cebu, whereas it is known as ‘luto’ in some parts of Mindanao. Another case is the term ‘make or create,’ which we call ‘himo or maghimo’ in Cebu and ‘gama or mag-gama’ in Mindanao. Isn’t that interesting? However, they both have the same meaning and are considered Bisaya.

Regarding wonders, Bisaya is diversified, ubiquitous, and inexplicable. Bisaya people, like their language, are enigmatic in character. But don’t fret; they’re just as good as the Bisaya language. And it is with pride that I say, “I am a proud Bisaya.”

When you hear us speak Bisaya or Cebuano in Cebu, know that we are not angry nor upset. Cebuanos are not furious people; we just express our words and phrases in a raucous manner with a strong accent. For people who find it hard to communicate in Tagalog, some Cebuanos opt to speak English as a second language.