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Bisaya · Cebuano

Vocabulary

Learn Bisaya words with meanings, pronunciation, variants, notes, and examples.

Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Gambalay

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English

structure / frameworknoun

Alternative meanings

structure
framework
skeleton
frame
internal arrangement
organization

Pronunciation

gam-BAH-lie

Root and affixes

Can refer to the idea of a form, framework, or organized composition. It may describe a physical, conceptual, or organizational structure.

Variants or conjugations

istruktura = structure, borrowed form
estruktura = spelling variant
nga gambalay = structural / having structure
tinukod = building or built structure

Related words and expressions

tinukod = building / built structure
tukod = to build / establish
porma = form / shape
hanay = order / arrangement
balay = house

Meaning and usage notes

Use gambalay when talking about the structure, framework, or composition of something. If you mean a specific building or physical construction, tinukod may also fit better.

constructionframeframeworkorganizationskeletonstructure
Example 1

Importante ang gambalay sa usa ka plano.

The structure of a plan is important.

Example 2

Lig-on ang gambalay sa balay.

The structure of the house is strong.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Tuyok

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English

turnnoun / verb

Alternative meanings

turn; rotation; spin; to go around; to rotate; to turn around

Pronunciation

TOO-yok

Root and affixes

Base form tuyok, related to turning or moving around. Pagtuyok names the act of turning or rotating; nagtuyok means something is turning.

Variants or conjugations

pagtuyok; nagtuyok; tuyok-tuyok; magtuyok; mituyok

Related words and expressions

balik = return or go back; liko = turn to the side; libot = go around or circle; pabalik = back or returning

Meaning and usage notes

Tuyok works best for vuelta as turn, rotation, or going around. If vuelta means return, use balik. If it means turning on a street, liko may sound more natural.

circlego aroundrotationspinturn
Example 1

Usa ka tuyok pa.

One more turn.

Example 2

Nagtuyok ang ligid sa sakyanan.

The vehicle wheel is turning.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Kanta

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English

song; tune; ballad; to sing depending on contextnoun / verb root

Alternative meanings

Kanta means song, singing, or a musical piece with lyrics. It can also work as a verb root meaning to sing, depending on the construction. It is used for popular songs, religious songs, karaoke, music, and sung pieces.

Pronunciation

KAHN-tah

Root and affixes

Root: kanta. Common forms: mokanta = to sing; nagkanta = sang or is singing; kantahon = to sing a song; gikanta = was sung; pagkanta = singing or the act of singing.

Variants or conjugations

kanta; mga kanta; mokanta; nagkanta; kantahon; gikanta; pagkanta; awit; balitaw; komposo

Related words and expressions

song; sing; music; lyrics; melody; karaoke; ballad; singing

Meaning and usage notes

Kanta is very common for song. Awit can also mean song or hymn, sometimes with a more formal, poetic, or religious tone depending on context.

balladkaraokelyricsmelodymusicsingsong
Example 1

Ganahan ko aning kanta.

I like this song.

Example 2

Mokanta siya sa entablado.

He/She will sing on stage.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Paagi

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English

way; manner; mode; methodNoun

Alternative meanings

way; manner; mode; method; means; procedure; way of doing something

Pronunciation

pah-AH-gee

Root and affixes

Base form: paagi. It can refer to a way, method, or means of doing something.

Variants or conjugations

paagi; pamaagi; way of doing; mode; style; method

Related words and expressions

method; form; style; system; process; action; use; application

Meaning and usage notes

Paagi is natural for “mode” as way or manner. In technology, for “dark mode” or “airplane mode,” mode or modo may also appear depending on context.

basic vocabularymannermethodmodeproceduresystemtechnologyway
Example 1

Unsa ang imong paagi sa pagtuon?

What is your way of studying?

Example 2

Naa koy laing paagi sa pagbuhat niini.

I have another way to do this.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Elektrikal

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English

electric; electricaladjective

Alternative meanings

Electric or electrical; related to electricity, electric current, or devices powered by electrical energy.

Pronunciation

eh-lek-TREE-kal

Root and affixes

Technical loanword used to describe things related to electricity. Related to kuryente = electricity/current.

Variants or conjugations

kuryente = electricity / current; dagitab = electricity or electric current; elektroniko = electronic

Related words and expressions

electricity, electric current, electronic, energy, light

Meaning and usage notes

Use elektrikal for electric/electrical as an adjective: electric device, electrical system, electric wire. For electricity itself, use kuryente.

electricelectricalelectricityenergytechnology
Example 1

Guba ang elektrikal nga sistema.

The electrical system is damaged.

Example 2

Kinahanglan og elektrikal nga koneksyon ang makina.

The machine needs an electrical connection.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

martsa

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English

march; organized walknoun

Alternative meanings

The act of walking as a group, often with a public, social, political, or ceremonial purpose. It can also refer to pace or progress depending on context.

Pronunciation

MAR-tsah

Root and affixes

Borrowed word used as a noun. It can relate to walking, moving forward, or taking part in a march.

Variants or conjugations

martsa; marcha

Related words and expressions

lakaw = to walk; protesta = protest; kalihokan = activity / movement

Meaning and usage notes

“Martsa” works for an organized march or walk. For “marcha” as machine operation or progress of a process, another translation may be needed depending on the sentence.

Marchnounprotestwalking
Example 1

Miapil sila sa martsa.

They joined the march.

Example 2

Hilom pero kusgan ang martsa.

The march was quiet but powerful.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Mayo

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English

Maynoun

Alternative meanings

The fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, after April and before June.

Pronunciation

MAH-yoh

Root and affixes

Borrowed from Spanish mayo. It is part of the names of the months in Bisaya.

Variants or conjugations

bulan sa Mayo; Mayo nga bulan

Related words and expressions

Abril; Hunyo; month; year; calendar

Meaning and usage notes

Mayo is used for the month. It should not be confused with may, which in Cebuano can work as an existential or possessive marker.

calendarMaymonthstimeyear
Example 1

Magsugod ang klase sa Mayo.

Classes start in May.

Example 2

Natawo siya sa Mayo.

He/She was born in May.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

istadyum

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English

stadiumnoun

Alternative meanings

A large place with seats where sports, competitions, or public events are held.

Pronunciation

is-TA-dyum

Root and affixes

A loanword adapted from stadium/estadio and used in Cebuano/Bisaya.

Variants or conjugations

estadyum; istadiyum; estadiyum; estadio

Related words and expressions

natad; dula; manan-away; lingkuranan; palaruan

Meaning and usage notes

Natad can also be used in some contexts, especially for arena or field, but istadyum/estadyum is better for a modern stadium.

Stadium
Example 1

Daghan ang tawo sa istadyum.

There are many people in the stadium.

Example 2

Adunay dula karon sa istadyum.

There is a game at the stadium today.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Kaon

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English

to eatverb

Alternative meanings

to eat
to dine
to have a meal
to consume food

Pronunciation

KAH-on

Root and affixes

Verb root: kaon = to eat. Related forms include mokaon, nagkaon, nikaon, gikaon, and pagkaon.

Variants or conjugations

kaon = to eat
mokaon = will eat / is going to eat
nagkaon = is eating / was eating
nikaon = ate
gikaon = was eaten
pagkaon = food / meal
pakaon = to feed

Related words and expressions

pagkaon = food / meal
kan-on = cooked rice
sud-an = dish / viand
inom = to drink
gutom = hunger

Meaning and usage notes

Kaon is a very common root. It can be used as a simple command: Kaon! = Eat! To invite someone to eat, use Kaon ta! = Let’s eat!

actionbasicdineeatfoodmeal
Example 1

Kaon ta!

Let's eat!

Example 2

Mokaon ko karon.

I will eat now.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

naog

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English

to go down; to get off; to decreaseverb

Alternative meanings

To move downward, get off a vehicle, or decrease in amount, level, or price.

Pronunciation

NAH-ohg

Root and affixes

Verb root: naog. It can form words such as manaog, ninaog, or pagnaog depending on tense and function.

Variants or conjugations

naog; manaog; ninaog; pagnaog

Related words and expressions

saka = to go up; ubos = down / below; paubos = downward

Meaning and usage notes

“Naog” is used for physically going down, getting off a vehicle, or decreasing something like a price or level.

decreasedescendgo downverb
Example 1

Manaog ko sa bus dinhi.

I will get off the bus here.

Example 2

Ninaog ang presyo.

The price went down.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Aplikasyon

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English

application; appNoun

Alternative meanings

application; app; program; formal request; act of applying something; practical use of an idea or method

Pronunciation

ah-plee-kah-SYON

Root and affixes

Adapted loanword used in Cebuano/Bisaya for application in technology, formal requests, or practical contexts.

Variants or conjugations

application; app; mobile app; job application; use; applying something

Related words and expressions

app; program; internet; computer; phone; software; apply; work; form

Meaning and usage notes

Aplikasyon can mean an app/software, a formal application, or the application of something. For “to apply” as a verb, aplikar already exists.

appapplicationbasic vocabularybusinessprogramrequestsoftwaretechnologywork
Example 1

Gi-download nako ang aplikasyon sa akong telepono.

I downloaded the app on my phone.

Example 2

Nagpadala siya og aplikasyon para sa trabaho.

He/She sent an application for the job.

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Bisaya · Cebuano · Vocabulary

Komersyo

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English

commercenoun

Alternative meanings

commerce; trade; commercial exchange; buying and selling; business activity

Pronunciation

koh-MER-syoh

Root and affixes

Adapted loanword from Spanish comercio. It is related to komersiyal, commercial, and komersiyante, merchant.

Variants or conjugations

komersyo; komersiyo; komersiyal; komersiyante

Related words and expressions

negosyo = business; patigayon = trade or business; merkado = market; baligya = sale or to sell; ekonomiya = economy

Meaning and usage notes

Komersyo is the direct form for commerce as an economic activity. For a specific business or company, negosyo may sound more natural.

businesscommerceeconomymarkettrade
Example 1

Importante ang komersyo sa ekonomiya.

Commerce is important for the economy.

Example 2

Nag-uswag ang komersyo sa ilang lungsod.

Trade grew in their town.

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