Phrasebook
Are you shy at first?
mah-oo-LAH-wohn bah kah sah see-noog-DAH-nahn
maulawon ba ka = are you shy
sa sinugdanan = at first / in the beginning
Used to ask whether someone tends to feel shy, reserved, or quiet when meeting people or entering a new situation. Bisaya does not mark gender here.
Do you need time to feel comfortable?
kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn bah NEE-moh ohg pah-NAH-hohn OO-nah kah mah-HEE-mohng kohm-pohr-TAH-bleh
kinahanglan ba nimo = do you need
og panahon = time
una ka mahimong komportable = before becoming comfortable / opening up
Used to ask whether someone needs to spend some time talking or being around others before relaxing, gaining confidence, and acting naturally.
Do you open up quickly?
DAH-lee rah bah kah moh-OH-pen UHP
dali ra ba ka = do you quickly / easily
mo-open up = open up emotionally
Used to ask whether someone tends to share feelings, thoughts, or personal experiences soon after meeting or connecting with another person. “Mo-open up” is common in colloquial modern Bisaya.
Do you like hearing personal stories?
gah-NAH-hahn bah kah ngah mah-kah-DOO-ngohg ohg mung-ah pehr-soh-NAHL ngah ees-TOHR-yah
ganahan ba ka = do you like
nga makadungog = hearing / learning about
og mga personal nga istorya = personal stories
Used to ask whether someone enjoys hearing about the experiences, memories, and private moments that other people choose to share.
Do silences make you uncomfortable?
DEE-lee bah kah kohm-pohr-TAH-bleh sah kah-HEE-lohm
dili ba ka komportable = are you uncomfortable
sa kahilom = with silence / silences
Used to ask whether someone feels awkward, tense, or pressured when a conversation becomes quiet.
Do you like comfortable silences?
gah-NAH-hahn bah kah sah kohm-pohr-TAH-bleh ngah kah-HEE-lohm
ganahan ba ka = do you like
sa komportable nga = comfortable
kahilom = silence / silences
Used to ask whether someone enjoys sharing quiet moments with another person without feeling awkward or needing to fill the space with words.
Do you prefer short conversations?
mahs GOOS-toh bah NEE-moh ahng MOO-boh ngah mung-ah pah-nahg-ees-tohr-yah-HAH-nigh
mas gusto ba nimo = do you prefer
ang mubo nga = short / brief
mga panag-istoryahanay = conversations
Used to ask whether someone feels more comfortable with brief, direct exchanges than with long conversations.
Is feeling heard important to you?
eem-pohr-TAHN-teh bah PAH-rah NEE-moh ngah moh-BAH-tee kahng gee-pah-MEE-now
importante ba para nimo = is it important to you
nga mobati ka = to feel
nga gipaminaw = listened to / heard
Used to ask whether someone values having others pay attention to what they say and try to understand their feelings or ideas. Bisaya does not mark gender in this sentence.
Does feeling ignored affect you?
mah-ah-pek-TOO-hahn bah kah koong moh-BAH-tee kah ngah wah-LAH kah TAHG-dah
maapektuhan ba ka = does it affect you
kung mobati ka = when you feel
nga wala ka tagda = that you are ignored / not given attention
Used to ask whether feeling ignored, overlooked, or not taken into account has an emotional effect on someone. Bisaya does not require a gender marker in this sentence.
Does being congratulated motivate you?
mah-DAH-seeg bah kah koong pah-hah-lee-PAH-yahn kah
madasig ba ka = does it motivate / encourage you
kung pahalipayan ka = when you are congratulated
Used to ask whether congratulations and recognition for an achievement encourage someone to keep making an effort or moving forward.
Do you like being recognized?
gah-NAH-hahn bah kah ngah hah-TAH-gahn ohg pahg-EE-lah
ganahan ba ka = do you like
nga hatagan = being given / receiving
og pag-ila = recognition / acknowledgment
Used to ask whether someone likes others to acknowledge their effort, qualities, contributions, or achievements. Here, “recognized” means appreciated or acknowledged, not identified.
Is it hard for you to receive compliments?
LEE-sohd bah PAH-rah NEE-moh ngah dah-WAH-tohn ahng mung-ah pahg-DAH-yeg
lisod ba para nimo = is it hard for you
nga dawaton = to receive / accept
ang mga pagdayeg = compliments / praise
Here, “them” refers to compliments. Used to ask whether someone feels uncomfortable or finds it difficult to accept positive remarks and praise from others.