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Vocabulary category: Basic Vocabulary

Essential words and units for beginning to learn Bisaya.

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Pananglitan

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English

example / for examplenoun / connector

Alternative meanings

exampleninstancensamplenfor examplena case that illustrates an idea

Pronunciation

pah-nahng-LEE-tahn

Root and affixes

Related root: sanglit. The form pananglitan is used for example, instance, or sample.

Variants or conjugations

pananglit = for example, variant or related formnehemplo = example, a loanword used in some contextsnmuwestra = samplenpananglitan nga sentensiya = example sentence

Related words and expressions

sanglit = since / becausenpananglit = for examplenehemplo = examplenmuwestra = samplenexplanation = explanation

Meaning and usage notes

Used as a noun for “example” and also as a connector for “for example”. It is a very common and natural Cebuano form.

basic wordsexamplefor exampleinstancesample
Example 1

Hatagi ko og pananglitan.

Give me an example.

Example 2

Pananglitan, pwede ta magsugod ugma.

For example, we can start tomorrow.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Kaugalingon

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English

own / selfnoun / possessive adjective

Alternative meanings

ownnselfnof oneselfnpersonal identity or belonging, depending on context

Pronunciation

kah-oo-gah-LEE-ngon

Root and affixes

Related to ugalingon, oneself or own self.

Variants or conjugations

akong kaugalingon = my own / myselfnimong kaugalingon = your own / yourselfniyang kaugalingon = his/her own / himself/herselfnsa kaugalingon = own / personal

Related words and expressions

akoa = minenimoha = yoursniya = his/hersnpersonal = personal, borrowed formnangay = proper / suitable, depending on context

Meaning and usage notes

“Kaugalingon” covers “propio” in the sense of belonging to oneself or related to oneself. If “propio” means suitable, correct, or proper, another word like “angay” may fit depending on context.

basic wordsidentityownpersonalpossessiveself
Example 1

Akong kaugalingon nga balay.

My own house.

Example 2

Higugmaa ang imong kaugalingon.

Love yourself.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Makaplag

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English

to findverb

Alternative meanings

to findnto discovernto come acrossnto locate something or someone

Pronunciation

mah-KAP-lahg

Root and affixes

Root: kaplag.

Variants or conjugations

nakaplag = found / discoverednmakaplag = to be able to find / to eventually findnkaplagon = will be foundnmakakita = to find/see, depending on a more conversational context

Related words and expressions

foundnwill be foundnto see/findnsearchnseenbe seen/found

Meaning and usage notes

“Makaplag” is more specific for finding or discovering. In conversation, “makakita” can also be used when finding is close to seeing or coming across something.

basic wordsdiscoverlocatesearchto findverb
Example 1

Nakaplag ko og kwarta.

I found money.

Example 2

Makaplag ra ka og paagi.

You will find a way.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Daog

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English

to winverb / noun

Alternative meanings

to winnto defeatnto triumphnvictory or prize won, depending on context

Pronunciation

DAH-og

Root and affixes

Root: daog. It expresses winning, defeating, or prevailing in a competition, fight, game, or situation.

Variants or conjugations

modaog = will win / is going to winnnidaog = wonnnagdaog = is winning or wonndaugon = to win somethingnkadaogan = victory or triumphnmananaog = winner or victor

Related words and expressions

kadaogan = victorynmananaog = winnernpildi = losenkita = earn money or incomenkalampusan = success

Meaning and usage notes

Used for winning a competition, game, fight, election, or challenge. For “earn money”, the word can be “kita”; that is a different sense from daog.

defeattriumphverbvictorywin
Example 1

Modaog ta karon.

We will win today.

Example 2

Nidaog siya sa dula.

He/She won the game.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Kanunay

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English

alwaysadverb

Alternative meanings

alwaysnconstantlynregularlynall the time or continuously

Pronunciation

kah-NOO-nai

Root and affixes

Base form: kanunay.

Variants or conjugations

permi = always / often, very common in conversationnkanunayng = form before a word or phrasensa kanunay = always / continuously

Related words and expressions

permi = always / oftennkada adlaw = every daynusab = also / againnwalay hunong = without stoppingnpirme = always, conversational variant

Meaning and usage notes

“Kanunay” is a clear form for “always” or “constantly”. In everyday conversation, “permi” or “pirme” is also very common, especially for habitual actions.

adverbalwaysbasic wordsconstantlyfrequencytime
Example 1

Kanunay ko maghunahuna nimo.

I always think of you.

Example 2

Permi siya nga moabot og sayo.

He/She always arrives early.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Hapit

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English

almost / nearlyadverb / verb

Alternative meanings

almostnnearlynabout tonclose to happening or being completed

Pronunciation

HAH-pit

Root and affixes

Base form: hapit. As an adverb it expresses almost or about to happen; as a verb it can mean to stop by or make a short stop.

Variants or conjugations

hapit na = almost already / about tonhapit na gyud = very nearly / almost for surenhapit pa = not quite yet, but closenmohapit = will stop by / will make a stop

Related words and expressions

duol = nearndul-an = almost or nearnmedyo = somewhatnpaabot = waitnna = already

Meaning and usage notes

Used to say that something is very close to happening or being completed. It can also be used as a verb meaning to stop by or make a short stop somewhere.

about toadverbalmostfunction wordsnearly
Example 1

Hapit na ko mahuman.

I am almost finished.

Example 2

Hapit na ta didto.

We are almost there.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Bata

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English

childnoun

Alternative meanings

childnboy or girlnminornyoung personnson or daughter, depending on context

Pronunciation

BAH-tah

Root and affixes

Base form: bata.

Variants or conjugations

mga bata = childrennbatang lalaki = boynbatang babaye = girlnkabataan = youth / childhood

Related words and expressions

lalaki = man / malenbabaye = woman / femalenanak = child / son / daughternpamilya = familyneskwela = school

Meaning and usage notes

“Bata” is neutral: it can mean boy or girl. To specify gender, Cebuano can use “batang lalaki” for boy and “batang babaye” for girl.

basic wordsboychildfamilygirlminor
Example 1

Bata pa siya.

He/She is still a child.

Example 2

Daghang bata sa eskwelahan.

There are many children at school.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Gusto

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English

to want / to likeverb / noun

Alternative meanings

to wantnto likento preferndesire or preference, depending on context

Pronunciation

GOOS-toh

Root and affixes

Base form: gusto. It is a common loanword adapted in Cebuano speech.

Variants or conjugations

ganahan = to like / to want, very common in conversationngusto ko = I want / I likengusto nako = I want / I likendili ko gusto = I do not want / I do not likenhigugma = to love, when “want/like” means deep love

Related words and expressions

ganahannlovenagree/approvenhappinessndesirenI want

Meaning and usage notes

“Gusto” can mean to want or to like. For romantic or deep love, “higugma” is more appropriate. For “I like”, “ganahan ko” is also very common.

basic wordsdesirepreferto liketo wantverb
Example 1

Gusto ko niini.

I want this.

Example 2

Ganahan ko nimo.

I like you.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Dapit

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English

zone / areanoun / locative adverb

Alternative meanings

zonenplacensitenareanspot, part, or vicinity of a place

Pronunciation

DAH-pit

Root and affixes

Base form: dapit. As a noun it expresses place, zone, site, or area; it can also indicate nearness or location.

Variants or conjugations

sona = zone, a loanword used in some contextsnlugar = place or areanmaong dapit = that area or that placensa dapit = in the area / near

Related words and expressions

lugar = placensona = zonenbahin = partnkilid = sidenduol = near

Meaning and usage notes

Used for a zone, place, site, or part of an area. For technical or administrative zones, “sona” is also understood.

areageographyplacesitezone
Example 1

Hilom ang dapit diri.

This area is quiet.

Example 2

Ayaw adto sa delikado nga dapit.

Do not go to that dangerous area.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Balik

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English

to return / backverb / adverb

Alternative meanings

to returnnto go backnto give backnto do something againnto go back to a previous place or state

Pronunciation

BAH-lik

Root and affixes

Base form: balik. It can work as a verb root for returning or as an adverb meaning again/back.

Variants or conjugations

mobalik = will return / is going to returnnnibalik = returnednbalika = return / repeatnbaliki = do again or come back for somethingnibalik = return it or put it back

Related words and expressions

uli = return homenpauli = go homenusab = again / alsonbalik-balik = repeatnadto = go

Meaning and usage notes

Used for coming back or returning, giving something back, or repeating an action. For “go back home”, “uli” or “pauli” may fit better depending on context.

give backgo backrepeatreturnverb
Example 1

Mobalik ko ugma.

I will come back tomorrow.

Example 2

Ibalik ang libro sa lamesa.

Put the book back on the table.

Found an error?

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Presidente

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English

presidentnoun

Alternative meanings

presidentnhead of statenleader of an organizationnperson who presides over a group

Pronunciation

pre-see-DEN-teh

Root and affixes

Base form: presidente. It is borrowed from Spanish and used in political and organizational contexts.

Variants or conjugations

presidente sa nasod = president of the countrynpresidente sa kompanya = company presidentnpangulo = leader/chief, also used for president in some contexts

Related words and expressions

governmentnleadernpoliticsncountrynmayorncouncil

Meaning and usage notes

“Presidente” is a commonly used loanword. “Pangulo” can also mean leader, chief, or president depending on context.

basic wordsgovernmentleaderpoliticspresidentpublic office
Example 1

Siya ang presidente sa nasod.

He/She is the president of the country.

Example 2

Nagsulti ang presidente.

The president spoke.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Sentro

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English

centernoun

Alternative meanings

centernmiddle pointnmain placencentral areancenter as an institution or service place, depending on context

Pronunciation

SEN-troh

Root and affixes

Base form: sentro. It is a borrowed word commonly used in modern Cebuano.

Variants or conjugations

mga sentro = centersnsentrong = center before a nounnsa sentro = in the center

Related words and expressions

tunga = middle / halfndapit = place / areanlugar = placendakbayan = citynopisina = office

Meaning and usage notes

“Sentro” is used for the physical center of a place, the central point of an idea, or a center as an institution. For “middle/half”, “tunga” may be more natural.

basic wordscentercentral areageographymiddleplace
Example 1

Anaa ko sa sentro sa dakbayan.

I am in the city center.

Example 2

Ang eskwelahan naa sa sentro.

The school is in the center.

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