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Vocabulary category: Basic Vocabulary

Essential words and units for beginning to learn Bisaya.

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Peligro

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English

danger / risknoun

Alternative meanings

danger
risk
hazard
threat
dangerous situation
possibility of harm
source of danger

Pronunciation

pee-LEEG-roh

Root and affixes

Peligro is a loanword from Spanish peligro. From the same root, peligroso means dangerous, although delikado is very common in daily speech.

Variants or conjugations

peligro = danger / risk / threat
peligroso = dangerous / risky
delikado = dangerous / delicate / critical
kakuyaw = danger / fear / fright
risgo = risk, modern loanword
makuyaw = risky / frightening

Related words and expressions

delikado = dangerous / risky
kuyaw = dreadful / scary
aksidente = accident
daot = damage / ruin
samad = injury / wound
seguridad = safety / security

Meaning and usage notes

Use peligro to talk about danger as a noun. Use delikado when you want to say something is dangerous, risky, or critical.

accidentdangerdangeroushazardrisksafetythreat
Example 1

Adunay peligro sa dalan kung mag-ulan.

There is danger on the road when it rains.

Example 2

Delikado kaayo ang paglangoy karon.

Swimming today is very dangerous.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Makaiikag

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English

to interest / interestingverb / adjective

Alternative meanings

to interest
to be interesting
to arouse interest
to attract attention
to spark curiosity
to catch attention
to be appealing

Pronunciation

mah-kah-ee-EE-kag

Root and affixes

Makaiikag is related to ikag, interest or attraction. It is used for something that can catch attention or arouse interest.

Variants or conjugations

makaiikag = interesting / something that interests
naikag = interested / intrigued
ikag = interest / attraction
interesante = interesting, Spanish loanword
ganahan = to like / to want / to be interested depending on context
intiris = financial interest or interest, modern loanword

Related words and expressions

ganahan = to like / to want
gusto = liking / want
pangutana = to ask
hibalo = to know
kuryoso = curious
hunahuna = thought / idea

Meaning and usage notes

Use makaiikag when something interests or catches attention. If you mean I am interested as I like it or want to do it, ganahan ko can often sound more natural.

appealingattentioncuriosityinterestinterestedinterestinglike
Example 1

Makaiikag kaayo ang imong istorya.

Your story is very interesting.

Example 2

Naikag ko sa imong plano.

I became interested in your plan.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Sinugdanan

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English

beginning; start; origin; starting pointnoun

Alternative meanings

beginning
start
origin
first part of something
starting point
opening of a story, process, or stage

Pronunciation

see-noog-DAH-nahn

Root and affixes

Related to sugod, meaning to start or begin.

Variants or conjugations

sinugdanan = beginning / start / origin
sinugdan = beginning / outset / inception
sugod = to start / begin / start
pagsugod = beginning as an action
sugdanan = starting point
una = first

Related words and expressions

sugod = to start / begin
magsugod = to initiate / begin
una = first
katapusan = end
proseso = process
panahon = time / period
yugto = stage

Meaning and usage notes

Use sinugdanan for the beginning, start, or origin of a story, process, stage, event, or situation. For the verb “to begin,” use sugod or magsugod. For “principle” as a moral value or rule, prinsipyo may be better.

beginningfirstoriginprocessstagestartstarting pointstory
Example 1

Sa sinugdanan, lisod kini.

In the beginning, this is difficult.

Example 2

Kini ang sinugdanan sa istorya.

This is the beginning of the story.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Pagkaanaa

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English

existence; presence; state of existingnoun

Alternative meanings

existence; presence; state of existing; the fact that something is or exists

Pronunciation

pahg-kah-ah-NAH-ah

Root and affixes

From naa/anaa, to exist, be present, or there is. Pagka- forms an abstract noun: pagkaanaa, existence or presence.

Variants or conjugations

paglungtad; kinabuhi; anaa; naa; naglungtad

Related words and expressions

life; world; person; state; presence

Meaning and usage notes

Pagkaanaa is useful for existence as an abstract concept. Kinabuhi is closer to life or human existence. Paglungtad emphasizes existing or continuing to exist over time.

existence, presence, life
Example 1

Ang pagkaanaa sa tubig importante sa kinabuhi.

The existence of water is important for life.

Example 2

Dili nato malimtan ang pagkaanaa sa problema.

We cannot forget the existence of the problem.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Tradisyon

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English

traditionnoun

Alternative meanings

tradition
custom passed down
cultural practice
transmitted belief
traditional way
cultural heritage
repeated rite or celebration

Pronunciation

trah-dees-YON

Root and affixes

Tradisyon is a loanword used for tradition. It is related to tradisyonal, meaning traditional, and to batasan when talking about custom or repeated practice.

Variants or conjugations

tradisyon = tradition
tradisyonal = traditional
batasan = custom / habit / usual way
kabilin = heritage / legacy
panulondon = inheritance / heritage received
ritwal = ritual

Related words and expressions

kultura = culture
batasan = custom / conduct
kabilin = legacy / heritage
fiesta = festival / feast
pagtuo = faith / belief
katilingban = society / community

Meaning and usage notes

Use tradisyon for a cultural or family tradition. Batasan can fit when talking about a usual custom; kabilin fits better when you mean legacy or cultural heritage.

communityculturecustomheritagelegacyritualtradition
Example 1

Kini usa ka karaang tradisyon sa among pamilya.

This is an old tradition in our family.

Example 2

Importante ang pagpreserbar sa atong tradisyon.

It is important to preserve our tradition.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Independente

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English

independent; autonomous; self-employedadjective / noun

Alternative meanings

independent
autonomous
free from external control
acting on one’s own
self-employed or freelance worker, depending on context
unaffiliated
separate or distinct
self-governing, in politics

Pronunciation

in-deh-pen-DEN-teh

Root and affixes

Independente is a loanword used for independent. For independence as a state or condition, kaugalingnan or kagawasan may be used depending on context.

Variants or conjugations

independente = independent / autonomous
independiyente = possible variant influenced by English or Spanish
trabahante nga independente = independent or self-employed worker
freelance = freelance, modern loanword
self-employed = self-employed worker, English loan in work contexts
indipindinsiya = independence
kaugalingnan = independence / autonomy
gawasnon = free / independent

Related words and expressions

kaugalingnan = independence / autonomy
kagawasan = freedom / independence
gawasnon = free
libre = free
trabaho = work / job
trabahante = worker
negosyo = business
federal = federal

Meaning and usage notes

Use independente for autonomous or independent in personal, work, political, organizational, or technical contexts. For a self-employed worker, trabahante nga independente, freelance, or self-employed can be used depending on modern context. If you mean autonomy as a noun, kaugalingnan or awtonomiya may appear depending on register.

autonomousfreefreelancefreelancerindependentpoliticsself-employedwork
Example 1

Independente siya nga trabahante.

He or she is an independent or self-employed worker.

Example 2

Independente nga rehiyon ang ilang gipangandoy.

They desire an autonomous region.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Bulawan

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English

gold / goldennoun / adjective

Alternative meanings

gold
golden
precious metal
gold jewelry
something valuable
something precious
gold color

Pronunciation

boo-LAH-wahn

Root and affixes

Bulawan is the main word for gold. From this root comes bulawanon, meaning golden, noble, or gold-colored.

Variants or conjugations

bulawan = gold / golden / jewel
bulawanon = golden / noble / valuable
bulaw = golden / bronze-colored
oro = gold, Spanish loanword in some contexts
de bulawan = made of gold

Related words and expressions

alahas = jewelry
kwarta = money
bili = value
mahal = expensive / dear
puthaw = metal / iron
mina = mine

Meaning and usage notes

Use bulawan for gold as a material or precious metal. Oro may also be understood as a loanword, but bulawan is the more native Cebuano/Bisaya form.

goldgoldenjewelrymetalpreciousvaluewealth
Example 1

Bulawan ang iyang singsing.

His or her ring is made of gold.

Example 2

Mahal kaayo ang bulawan karon.

Gold is very expensive now.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Imposible

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English

impossibleadjective

Alternative meanings

impossible; not possible; unable to be done; very unlikely; unattainable

Pronunciation

im-poh-SEE-bleh

Root and affixes

Imposible is a Spanish loanword used in Cebuano. It also appears as impusibli in some spellings. The idea can be expressed more explicitly with dili mahimo, meaning cannot be done or not possible.

Variants or conjugations

imposible; impusibli; dili mahimo; walay paagi; dili pwede

Related words and expressions

mahimo = can be done or possible; pwede = can or allowed; walay paagi = no way; imposible nga buhat = impossible action; posibilidad = possibility

Meaning and usage notes

Imposible works well as a general adjective. Dili mahimo sounds more like cannot be done, while walay paagi emphasizes that there is no way. For a hopeless situation, imposible can also be used colloquially.

cannot be doneimpossibleno waynot possibleunattainableunlikely
Example 1

Imposible kini kung walay tabang.

This is impossible without help.

Example 2

Dili mahimo nga mahuman nato kini karon.

It is impossible for us to finish this today.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Libot

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English

to go around; to tour; aroundverb / adverb

Alternative meanings

to go around
to tour
to circle around
to surround
to pass through several places
to move around an area
to orbit, in astronomy

Pronunciation

LEE-boht

Root and affixes

Root: libot, related to around, surrounding, or moving around. It also appears as libod in some variants.

Variants or conjugations

libot = go around / around / circle
libod = variant
maglibot = to go around / tour
naglibot = went around / was going around
palibot = surroundings / environment
suroy-suroy = stroll or tour for leisure
laag = go out / stroll, more colloquial

Related words and expressions

palibot = surroundings / environment
suroy = stroll / visit
laag = go out / stroll
lakaw = walk
biyahe = trip / travel
dalan = road / path
lugar = place

Meaning and usage notes

Use libot when recorrer means to go around a place, circle around, or pass through several points. If recorrer means to stroll, sightsee, or tour casually, suroy-suroy may sound more natural. If it only means walking a distance, lakaw may be enough.

aroundgo aroundmovestrolltourtravelvisit
Example 1

Maglibot ta sa siyudad ugma.

We will go around the city tomorrow.

Example 2

Naglibot siya sa palibot sa balay.

He or she went around the surroundings of the house.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Sesyon

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English

sessionnoun

Alternative meanings

session
meeting
work period
class period
hearing
scheduled activity
organized gathering

Pronunciation

SESS-yohn

Root and affixes

Sesyon is a loanword from Spanish sesion. It is used in school, legal, work, therapy, or formal meeting contexts.

Variants or conjugations

sesyon = session
tigom = meeting / assembly / session
pagtigom = meeting / act of gathering
klase = class / class session
audiyensya = hearing / audience
espesyal nga sesyon = special session

Related words and expressions

tigom = meeting / assembly
miting = meeting
klase = class
eskwela = school
hukom = judgment / judge
oras = hour / time

Meaning and usage notes

Use sesyon when you want the direct meaning of session. For an ordinary meeting or assembly, tigom may sound more natural.

assemblyclasshearingmeetingsessiontimework
Example 1

Magsugod ang sesyon alas nuebe.

The session will start at nine.

Example 2

Human na ang unang sesyon sa klase.

The first class session is already over.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Lalis

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English

to dispute; to argue; disputeverb / noun

Alternative meanings

to dispute
to argue
to contend verbally
to have a disagreement
to debate an idea
argument or dispute

Pronunciation

LAH-lis

Root and affixes

Cebuano root for arguing, disputing, or debating. Panaglalis can refer to a dispute or argument between sides.

Variants or conjugations

lalis = to dispute / argue / argument
lalísun = to dispute or argue about something
gilalísan = was argued over or disputed
panaglalis = dispute / argument
lantugi = more formal debate or dispute
diskutir = to discuss, borrowed form

Related words and expressions

panagbangi = conflict / clash
away = fight
lantugi = debate
diskusyon = discussion
argumento = argument
sukwahi = opposite / contrary
kompetisyon = competition

Meaning and usage notes

Use lalis when disputar means to argue, debate, or have a disagreement. For a broader conflict between groups or interests, panagbangi may be better. For disputing a match or competing for something, makigkompetensya, moduwa, or apil sa duwa may fit depending on context.

argueargumentconflictcontendDebatedisagreementdisputequarrel
Example 1

Ayaw na ninyo lalisa ang gamay nga butang.

Do not argue anymore over a small thing.

Example 2

Gilalísan nila ang resulta sa kompetisyon.

They disputed the result of the competition.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Tinuig

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English

annual / yearlyadjective / adverb

Alternative meanings

annual
yearly
every year
once a year
per year
related to a year
reckoned by the year

Pronunciation

tee-NOO-eeg

Root and affixes

Tinuig comes from tuig, meaning year. It is used to express yearly frequency or relation to a full year.

Variants or conjugations

tinuig = annual / yearly
tinuig nga = annual as a modifier before a noun
tuig = year
tuig-tuig = yearly / every year
kada tuig = every year
matag tuig = every year

Related words and expressions

tuig = year
bulan = month
adlaw = day
semana = week
kalendaryo = calendar
petsa = date

Meaning and usage notes

Use tinuig for annual events, reports, payments, or meetings. To say every year in a more conversational way, you can also use kada tuig or matag tuig.

annualcalendarevery yearfrequencytimeyearyearly
Example 1

Adunay tinuig nga tigom sa kompanya.

There is an annual meeting at the company.

Example 2

Kada tuig sila magselebrar niini.

They celebrate this every year.

Found an error?