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Vocabulary category: Basic Vocabulary

Essential words and units for beginning to learn Bisaya.

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Mokanta

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English

to singverb

Alternative meanings

to sing; to perform a song; to use the voice musically; to vocalize; to sing aloud

Pronunciation

moh-KAHN-tah

Root and affixes

The root is kanta, which can mean song or to sing. Mokanta is an actor-focus verb form meaning someone will sing or sings. Nagkanta expresses ongoing or habitual action, and nikanta means someone sang.

Variants or conjugations

kanta; mokanta; mikanta; nikanta; nagkanta; kantahon; kantahi; manganta

Related words and expressions

kanta = song or sing; tingog = voice; musika = music; karaoke = karaoke; mangantahay = singer; kalantahon = hymn

Meaning and usage notes

Kanta can also mean song, so mokanta makes the verbal meaning of to sing clearer. For singer, mangantahay may be used, and for song, use kanta.

karaokemusicsingsongvocalizevoice
Example 1

Mokanta ko sa karaoke karong gabii.

I will sing at karaoke tonight.

Example 2

Ganahan siya mokanta og mga kanta sa gugma.

They like to sing love songs.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Sukod

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English

to measure / measurementverb / noun

Alternative meanings

to measure
measure
measurement
dimension
size
to calculate a measurement
to evaluate a quantity
to compare dimensions

Pronunciation

SOO-kod

Root and affixes

Sukod is the root for measure or to measure. Pagsukod names the act of measuring or measurement, and sukdanan can refer to a standard, pattern, or reference measure.

Variants or conjugations

sukod = to measure / measure / dimension
pagsukod = measurement / act of measuring
sukdon = will be measured / measure something
gisukod = was measured
sukdanan = standard / pattern / reference measure
panukod = meter or measuring instrument in some contexts

Related words and expressions

kadak-on = size / magnitude
gitas-on = height / length
lapad = width
gibug-aton = weight
metro = meter
kantidad = quantity
timbang = to weigh / weight

Meaning and usage notes

Use sukod both for the verb to measure and for measure or dimension. If you mean the process of measurement, pagsukod is more specific.

dimensionevaluatemeasuremeasurementmeterquantitysize
Example 1

Sukda ang lamesa una pa mopalit og panapton.

Measure the table before buying cloth.

Example 2

Unsa ang sukod sa kwarto?

What is the measurement of the room?

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Kalayo

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English

fire / flamenoun

Alternative meanings

fire; flame; blaze; combustion; heat from fire

Pronunciation

kah-LAH-yoh

Root and affixes

Kalayo is related to kayo, which also means fire or flame. In some contexts, kalayo can be confused in writing with kalayô, remoteness, but pronunciation and context distinguish the meanings.

Variants or conjugations

kalayo; kayo; sunog; siga; nagkayo; kalayohon

Related words and expressions

sunog = fire, burning, or burn; siga = flame or being lit; init = heat; aso = smoke; abo = ash; tubig = water

Meaning and usage notes

Kalayo is the general word for fire or flame. Sunog is used more for a fire incident, burning, or something burned. Kayo can also mean fire, but kalayo is usually clearer for learners.

blazecombustionfireflameheatnature
Example 1

Ayaw duol sa kalayo.

Do not go near the fire.

Example 2

Nakita namo ang kalayo sa layo.

We saw the fire from far away.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Mopatay

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English

killverb

Pronunciation

moh-pah-TIE

Root and affixes

From the root patay, which can mean dead or kill. Mo- marks an action-oriented verb form: mopatay = to kill.

Meaning and usage notes

Mopatay is a strong word and should be used carefully. For figurative uses like “it kills me with laughter” or “kill time,” another expression may be needed depending on context.

actioncause deathdangerdeathkilllifetake life
Example 1

Ayaw pagdula sa pusil kay makapatay kini.

Do not play with the gun because it can kill.

Example 2

Ang sakit mahimong mopatay kung dili tambalan.

The disease can kill if it is not treated.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Magbabalak

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English

poetnoun

Alternative meanings

poet
poem writer
writer of poetry
creator of balak
literary writer
Bisaya poet
person who composes verses

Pronunciation

mag-bah-BAH-lak

Root and affixes

Magbabalak comes from balak, meaning poem or poetry. The form names a person who writes or composes poems.

Variants or conjugations

magbabalak = poet
balakero = poet, popular or colloquial form
balakera = female poet, popular or colloquial form
poeta = poet, modern loanword
balakista = person connected with balak or poetry
pamalak = poetry / art of making balak
balak = poem / poetry

Related words and expressions

balak = poem / poetry
pamalak = poetry
sulat = to write / writing
pulong = word
literatura = literature
kultura = culture
awit = song / chant

Meaning and usage notes

Use magbabalak for poet in a literary or cultural context. Poeta may also be understood as a loanword, but magbabalak connects better with the Cebuano balak tradition.

artcultureliteraturepoempoetpoetrywriter
Example 1

Usa siya ka bantog nga magbabalak.

He/She is a famous poet.

Example 2

Ang magbabalak misulat og bag-ong balak.

The poet wrote a new poem.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Koleksyon

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English

collectionnoun

Pronunciation

koh-lek-SYON

Root and affixes

Borrowed from Spanish “colección,” adapted as koleksyon in Cebuano. It is used for sets of objects, works, data, or gathered elements.

Meaning and usage notes

Use koleksyon for a collection of objects, art, books, photos, data, or pieces. If collection means collecting payments, kolekta, kobra, maningil, or kobransa may fit better depending on context.

archiveartcollectcollectiondatagroupobjectsset
Example 1

Dako ang iyang koleksyon sa mga libro.

His or her book collection is large.

Example 2

Kini nga website adunay koleksyon sa mga pulong.

This website has a collection of words.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Mag-aawit

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English

singer / vocalistnoun

Alternative meanings

singer
vocalist
song performer
person who sings
choir member
music artist
chanter

Pronunciation

mag-ah-AH-wit

Root and affixes

Mag-aawit comes from awit, meaning song or to sing. With mag- it forms the idea of a person who sings or performs songs.

Variants or conjugations

mag-aawit = singer / vocalist
aawit = singing or related form of to sing
awit = song / to sing
kantante = singer, modern loanword
haranista = serenade singer
korista = chorister / choir member

Related words and expressions

awit = song / to sing
kanta = song / to sing
musika = music
tingog = voice / sound
alawiton = song
kompositor = composer
artista = artist

Meaning and usage notes

Use mag-aawit for singer or vocalist in a general sense. Kantante is also understood as a modern loanword, but mag-aawit connects better with the Cebuano root awit.

artistchoirmusicsingersongvocalistvoice
Example 1

Maayo kaayo nga mag-aawit siya.

He/She is a very good singer.

Example 2

Ang mag-aawit mikanta og karaang awit.

The singer sang an old song.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Pag-abli

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English

openingnoun

Alternative meanings

opening; act of opening; start; beginning; making something available

Pronunciation

pag-AHB-lee

Root and affixes

It comes from abli, to open or open. Pag-abli names the action or process of opening. Abri is also used as a variant for open, and bukas or buka appear in some contexts of opening or aperture.

Variants or conjugations

pag-abli; abli; abri; pagbuka; bukas; pagbukas; pag-inaugurar

Related words and expressions

abli = open or to open; sirado = closed; pultahan = door; sugod = start; inaugurasyon = inauguration; pagbuka = physical opening or gap

Meaning and usage notes

Pag-abli works well for opening as the act of opening or beginning. For a formal inauguration, inaugurasyon or pag-inaugurar may be used. For a physical gap or aperture, pagbuka can be more precise.

aperturebeginninginaugurationopenopeningstart
Example 1

Ang pag-abli sa bag-ong tindahan ugma buntag.

The opening of the new store is tomorrow morning.

Example 2

Ang pag-abli sa pultahan dali ra.

The opening of the door was easy.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Kasundalohan

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English

army / armed forcesnoun

Alternative meanings

army
armed forces
troops
military force
group of soldiers
military organization
land army

Pronunciation

kah-soon-dah-LOH-hahn

Root and affixes

Kasundalohan comes from sundalo, meaning soldier. With ka- and -han it forms a collective idea: a group of soldiers or military forces.

Variants or conjugations

kasundalohan = army / armed forces / troops
hukbo = army / military force
sundalo = soldier
sundawo = regional variant of sundalo
militar = military
panon = host / large organized group

Related words and expressions

sundalo = soldier
hukbo = army
gubat = war
armas = weapons
gobyerno = government
seguridad = security / safety
defensa = defense

Meaning and usage notes

Use kasundalohan for the army as an institution or group of soldiers. Use sundalo for an individual soldier and hukbo as another word for army or troop.

armed forcesarmydefensemilitarysoldiertroopswar
Example 1

Nisalmot ang kasundalohan sa operasyon.

The army participated in the operation.

Example 2

Daghan ang sundalo sa kasundalohan.

There are many soldiers in the army.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Mosakay

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English

to board / to rideverb

Alternative meanings

to board; to get on a vehicle; to ride; to take transportation; to travel by vehicle

Pronunciation

moh-SAH-kai

Root and affixes

The root is sakay, meaning to get on, ride, take transportation, or travel in a vehicle. Mosakay is an actor-focus verb form for someone who will board or get on. Nisakay means someone boarded or got on.

Variants or conjugations

sakay; mosakay; misakay; nisakay; nagsakay; sakyon; sakayi; makasakay

Related words and expressions

sakyanan = vehicle; bus = bus; jeep = jeepney; barko = boat or ship; eroplano = airplane; biyahe = trip; pamasahe = fare

Meaning and usage notes

This entry uses abordar in the sense of boarding transportation. If you mean to address a topic, problem, or conversation, Cebuano usually uses hisgutan for discussing a topic or atubangon for facing or dealing with an issue.

boardget onridetake transportationtravelvehicle
Example 1

Mosakay ko sa bus padulong sa siyudad.

I will board the bus going to the city.

Example 2

Asa ta makasakay og barko paingon sa isla?

Where can we board a boat going to the island?

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Pagbasa

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English

reading; act of reading; interpretationnoun

Alternative meanings

reading; act of reading; understanding a text; interpretation; reading aloud

Pronunciation

pahg-BAH-sah

Root and affixes

From the root basa, to read. Pag- forms the action noun: pagbasa, reading or the act of reading.

Variants or conjugations

basa; basahon; balasahon; magbasa; mobasa

Related words and expressions

book; letter; text; reader; school

Meaning and usage notes

Pagbasa is reading as an action. Basahon can mean something to be read or reading material. Basa can also mean wet depending on stress or context, so check the sentence.

reading, read, education
Example 1

Importante ang pagbasa sa mga bata.

Reading is important for children.

Example 2

Ganahan ko sa pagbasa og libro.

I like reading books.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

hunahuna

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English

thought; idea; mind; to thinkverb / noun

Alternative meanings

thought
idea
mind
opinion or point of view
the act of thinking or reflecting
to suppose or consider something
mental process

Pronunciation

hoo-nah-HOO-nah

Root and affixes

Cebuano root related to thought, mind, idea, and the act of thinking, considering, or supposing. With pag- it forms paghunahuna, which can mean thought, reflection, or way of thinking.

Variants or conjugations

hunahuna = thought / idea / to think
paghunahuna = thought / reflection / way of thinking
hunahunaon = to think about something / reflect
naghunahuna = is thinking / thought
gihunahuna = was thought of / considered
ideya = idea
opinyon = opinion
panahom = supposition / notion

Related words and expressions

ideya = idea
opinyon = opinion
pagsabot = understanding
dahom = expect / suppose
panahom = supposition
ulo = head / mind, depending on context
pamalandong = reflection / contemplation

Meaning and usage notes

Use hunahuna for thought, internal idea, mind, or the act of thinking. For a concrete idea or plan, ideya is also very common. For opinion, opinyon may be more direct. For deep reflection, pamalandong or paghunahuna may fit better depending on context.

considerideamindopinionreflectionsupposethinkingthought
Example 1

Naa koy hunahuna bahin ana.

I have a thought about that.

Example 2

Naghunahuna ko sa imong gisulti.

I am thinking about what you said.

Found an error?