Bikol phrasebook

Bikol is the main local language of the Bicol Region in southeastern Luzon, Philippines. It is strongly influenced by Spanish.

Belonging to the Austronesian family of languages, it is closely related to all the other languages in the Philippines like the larger Ilocano, Tagalog and Cebuano and more distantly to the various languages of the Pacific islands.

Malay, the main language of the Malaysia, is also closely related to Bikol, and while the two languages are not mutually intelligible, you will notice many cognates. There are also numerous false friends between Bikol and Malay, such as Malay pagi (morning) vs Bikol pagi (sting ray) and Bikol ayam (dog) vs Malay ayam (chicken).

Pronunciation guide

Accent marks

Diacritics (tandang panduon) are normally not written in everyday usage, be it in publications or personal correspondence. The teaching of diacritics is inconsistent in Philippine schools and many Bicolanos do not know how to use them. However, diacritics are normally used in dictionaries and in textbooks aimed at teaching the language to foreigners.

There are three kinds of diacritics used in Bikol:

Acute accent or pahilíg

Used to indicate primary or secondary stress on a particular syllable; marháy. It is usually omitted on words that are stressed on the penultimate (second to the last) syllable; babáyi = babayi. It is possible that there is more than one stressed syllable in a word, meaning that that pahilíg mark may appear multiple times, as in Repúbliká. If there is no diacritic on the last two syllables of a word, then it means that there is stress on the penultimate syllable.

Grave accent or paiwà

It indicates that there is a glottal stop (/ʔ/) at the end of the word. This mark may only appear at the end of a word that ends in a vowel. This mark does not indicate stress. Therefore, following the previously stated rule on stress, sampulò is stressed on the second to the last syllable.

Circumflex accent or pakupyâ

It indicates that the final syllable of a word receives stress while there is a glottal stop that follows; udô. This is because it is a combination of the pahilíg and paiwà marks. This mark may only appear at the end of a word that ends in a vowel.

Stress

Although Bikol is pronounced as it is spelled, stress is very unpredictable and stressing the wrong syllable can lead to misinterpretation; for that reason, almost every book and dictionary concerning the Bikol language will put an accent mark (´) on the stressed syllable.

Vowels

In Bikol, vowels are pronounced like in Spanish. Note that two consecutive vowels are pronounced separately.

a: open central unrounded vowel IPA [a]; like the a in far
e: close-mid front unrounded vowel IPA [e]; like the e in hen
i: close front unrounded vowel IPA [i]; like the ee in see
o: closed-mid back rounded vowel IPA [o]; like the o in order
u: close back rounded vowel IPA [u]; like the oo in soon

Consonants

b: as in bee
k: as in key
d: as in dough
g: as in gold
h: as in heat
l: as in let
m: as in me
n: as in nice
ng: as in song
p: as in pea
r: as in raw
s: as in sea
t: as in tea
w: as in weak
y: as in you

Some consonants are borrowed from Spanish and English and are used in writing names of places and personal names.

c: like c in call, corn, cure (before a, o, u); like c in cell, cinder (before e or i)
f: like f in fine
j: like h in ham
ll: although not a letter in the Philippines but of Spanish influence, pronounced as ly
ñ: like ny in canyon
q: like q in quest (always with a silent u)
v: pronounced the same way as b (see above) like b in bow.
x: like x in flexible; like ss in hiss (at beginning of a word); like h as in he in the family name Roxas
z: like s in supper

Digraphs

Some digraphs appear in Spanish and English loan words.

diy

as in just

ts

as in chew

siy

as in shoe

ny

as in canyon

ly

as in million

Common diphthongs

In the spelling of many places and personal names, ao is used and is pronounced as in how just like the Spanish way of spelling.

aw: as in how
iw: as in kiwi
ay: as in high
oy: as in boy

Grammar

Personal pronouns

Inclusivity

Note that Bikol has two words which are equivalent to the English word we. If you intend to include the person or people you are talking to, the word to use is kita. If the subject does not include your listener(s), then the correct word would be kami.

Negation

Use dai to mean no and bakô to mean not. "Daing gayon" means no beauty and "bakong magayon" means not beautiful. Some nouns connot be combined with dai. Never say daing lumoy, instead say, bakong malumoy.

Bako can also be used for nouns. Example:
Bako ining sabon. (This is not a soap)

Singular and plural verbs

Note To form the plural verbs in Bikol, the syllables "ra","ri", "ro", and/or "ru", were added at the middle of the root word depending on the first syllable it follows.

The child is playing.: Nagkakawat an aki.
The children are playing.: Nagkakarawat an mga aki.
The man is sitting.: Nagtutukaw an lalaki.
The men are sitting.: Nagtuturukaw an mga lalaki.
The dog is barking.: Nagbabatok an ayam.
The dogs are barking.: Nagbabaratok an mga ayam.
He/She bought an ice cream.: Nagbakal siya nin ice cream.
They bought ice cream.: Nagbarakal sinda nin ice cream.
He is praying.: Nagpapangadyî siya.
They are praying.: Nagpapangaradyî sinda.
The book was borrowed.: Sinublî si libro.
The books were borrowed.: Sinurublî si mga libro.
S/he will come with me tomorrow.: Maiba siya sakuyà sa aga.
They will come with me tomorrow.: Mairiba sinda sakuyà sa aga.
He bathed in the sea.: Nagkarigos siya sa dagat.
They bathed in the sea.: Nagkararigos sinda sa dagat.

Singular and plural adjectives

Note: In Bikol plural adjectives are made by adding the syllables "ra", "ri", "ro", and "ru" after the first syllable. However, there is an exception. The plural of "magayón", is "magagayon" and "mabuot" is "mabubuot".

A small stone.: Sarong sadit na gapô.
Four small stones.: Apat na saradit na gapô.
A dry shorts.: Sarong marang sarwal.
Two dry shorts.: Duwang mararang sarwal.
A short bamboo split.: Sarong halìpot na salsag.
Seven short bamboo splits.: Pitong haralìpot na salsag.
A long bamboo split.: Sarong halabang salsag.
Four long bamboo splits.: Apat na haralabang salsag.

Spatio-temporal dimensions

These words are adjectives that begin with ha- and used only to refer to spatio-temporal dimensions.

Bikol	English
halangkaw	tall
hababâ	low
hararom	deep
hababaw	shallow
halìpot	short
halabà	long (spatial)
harayô	far
harani	near
hayakpit	narrow
halakbang	wide
halawig	long (temporal)
haloy	long (temporal)

Interrogative Pronouns

question: hapot (hah-PAWT)
answer: simbag (seem-BAHG)
to ask: maghapot (mahg-hah-PAWT)
to answer: magsimbag (mahg-seem-BAHG); who; siisay (singular) (see-EE-sigh); sirisay (plural) (see-REE-sigh); where; haen (singular) (HAH-een); haraen (plural) (hah-RAH-een); saen (singular) (sah-EEN); saraen (plural) (sah-rah-EEN); how; pâno (PAH'-naw); when

nuarin (if the question is answerable by future events) (noo-ah-REEN)
kasuarin (if the question is answerable by past events) (kah-soo-ah-REEN)

whose

kisisay (singular) (kee-SEE-sigh),

kisirisay (plural) (kee-see-REE-sigh)

how much? (prize)

manggurâno (mahng-goo-RAH'-naw)

mamira (mah-mihr-RAH)

how much (degree)

gurâno (goo-RAH'naw)

why?

tâno (Bikol - Naga) (TAH'-naw)

natà (Bikol - Legazpi) (NAH-tah')

what?

ano (ah-NAW)

how many?

pira (pee-RAH)

which?

arin (ah-REEN)

Phrase list

This article concentrates on the most common variety spoken in Naga and Legazpi.

Accents are not normally used in written Bikol.

Basics

Hello.

Kumusta. (koo-mooss-TAH)

How are you?

Kumusta ka? (koo-mooss-TAH kah?)

Tara. (Bikol - Naga, informal) (tah-RAH)

Nom. (Bikol - Legazpi, informal) (nawm)

Nem. (Bikol - Legazpi, informal) (nehm)

It sometimes follows the phrase ano na, (ah-NAW nah) in which together literally translates as what's up?.

Fine, thank you.

Marhay man, salamat. (mahr-HIGH man, sah-LAH-maht)

What is your name?

Ano an pangaran mo? (ah-NAW ahn pah-NGAH-rahn maw?)

My name is ____.

Ako si ____. (ah-KAW see ____.)

Nice to meet you.

Kaugmahan ko na mamidbidan ka. (one person) (kah-oog-MAH-hahn kaw nah mah-meed-BEE-dahn kah)

Kaugmahan ko na mamidbidan kamo. (two or more person) (kah-oog-MAH-hahn kaw nah mah-meed-BEE-dahn kah-MAW)

Please.

Tabì. (TAH-bee')

Thank you.

Dios mabalos. (JAWSS MAH-bah-lawss)

Salamat na marhay (sah-LAH-maht nah mahr-HIGH)

You're welcome.

Daing ano man. (dah-EENG ah-NAW mahn)

Yes.

Iyo. (ee-YAW)

No.

Dai. (dah-EE )

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Madalî saná. (mah-dah-LEE' sah-NAH)

Excuse me. (May I pass through?)

Makiagi. (mah-kee-AH-gee)

I'm sorry.

Pasensiya na. (pah-SEHN-shah nah)

Goodbye (formal)

Paaram. (pah-AH-rahm)

Goodbye (informal)

Madigdi na ako. (MAH-deeg-dee nah ah-KAW)

Maduman na ako. (MAH-doo-mahn nah ah-KAW)

I can't speak Bikol well.

Dai ako tatao mag-Bikol nin marhay. (dah-EE ah-KAW tah-tah-AW mahg-BEE-kawll neen mahr-HIGH)

Do you speak English?

Tatao ka mag-Ingles? (tah-tah-AW kah mahg-eeng-GLEHSS)

Good day

Marhay na aldaw. (mahr-HIGH nah ahll-DOW)

Good morning

Marhay na aga. (mahr-HIGH nah AH-gah)

Good afternoon

Marhay na hapon. (mahr-HIGH nah HAH-pawn)

Good evening

Marhay na banggí. (mahr-HIGH nah bahng-GEE)

To you all. (said after saying "good morning", etc. but optional)

Some speakers prefer "saindong gabos" while others prefer "saindo gabos" without -ng.

I don't understand

Dai ko nasasabotan. (dah-EE kaw nah-sah-sah-BAW-tahn)

Problems

Leave me alone!: Pabayaan mo ako! (pah-bah-YAH-ahn maw ah-KAW)
Don't touch me!: Dai mo ako pagdutaan! (dah-EE moh ah-KAW pahg-doo-tah-AHN) (Bikol - Naga); Dai mo ako pagduotan! (dah-EE moh ah-KAW pahg-doo-oo-TAHN) (Bikol - Legazpi)
I'll call the police.: Maapod ako nin pulis. (mah-ah-PAWD ah-KAW neen poo-LEESS)
Police!: Pulis! (poo-LEESS)
Stop! Thief!: Pundo! Parahàbon! (poon-DAW pah-rah-hah'-BAWN)
I need your help.: Kaipohan ko an tabang mo. (kah-ee-PAW-hahn kaw ahn TAH-bahng maw)
Call the police.: Umapod ka nin pulis. (oo-mah-PAWD kah neen poo-LEESS)
I'm lost.: Nawawarâ ako. (nah-wah-wah-RAH' ah-KAW)
I lost my bag.: Nawawarâ si sakuyang bag. (nah-wah-wah-RAH' see sah-KOO-yahng bahg)
I lost my wallet.: Nawawarâ si sakuyang pitaka. (nah-wah-wah-RAH' see sah-KOO-yahng pee-TAH-kah)
I'm sick.: May hilang ako. (migh HEE-lahng ah-KAW)
I need a doctor.: Kaipohan ko an doktor. (kah-ee-PAW-hahn kaw ahn dawck-TAWR)
Can I use your phone?: Pwede ko gamiton an saimong selpon? (PWEH-deh kaw gah-MEE-tawn ahn sah-EE-mawng SEHLL-pawn?)

Numbers

There exist two numerals in Bikol. The native Bikol and the Spanish numerals. Generally, Bicolanos use the Spanish terms if they are talking about time. You will, however, see the native terms if you would read literary books. If you are going on a shopping, prices are given in Spanish (or English) numerals.

1: sarô (sah-RAW')
2: duwa (doo-WAH)
3: tulo (too-LAW)
4: apat (ah-PAHT)
5: lima (lee-MAH)
6: anom (ah-NAWM)
7: pito (pee-TAW)
8: walo (wah-LAW)
9: siyam (SHAHM)
10: sampulo (sahm-POO-law' )
11: kagsarô (kahg-sah-RAW' )
12: kagduwa (kahg-doo-WAH)
13: kagtulo (kahg-too-LAW)
14: kag-apat (kahg-ah-PAHT)
15: kaglima (kahg-lih-MAH)
16: kag-anom (kahg-ah-NAWM)
17: kagpito (kahg-pee-TAW)
18: kagwalo (kahg-wah-LAW)
19: kagsiyam (kahg-SHAHM)
20: duwampulo (doo-wahm-POO-law' )
21: duwampulo may sarô (doo-wahm-POO-law' migh sah-RAW' )
22: duwampulo may duwa (doo-wahm-POO-law' migh doo-WAH)
23: duwampulo may tulo (doo-wahm-POO-law' migh too-LAW)
30: tulompulo (too-lawm-POO-law' )
40: apat na pulo (ah-PAHT nah POO-law' )
50: limampulo (lee-mahm-POO-law)
60: anom na pulo (ah-NAWM nah POO-law' )
70: pitompulo (pee-tawm-POO-law' )
80: walompulo (wah-lawm-POO-law' )
90: siyam na pulo (SHAHM nah POO-law' )
100: sanggatos (sahng-gah-TAWSS)
200: duwang gatos (doo-WAHNG gah-TAWSS)
300: tulong gatos (too-LAWNG gah-TAWSS)
1,000: sangribo (sahng-REE-baw)
2,000: duwang ribo (doo-WAHNG REE-baw)
1,000,000: sarong milyon (sah-RAWNG meel-YAWN)
1,000,000,000: sarong bilyon (sah-RAWNG beell-LYAWN)
1,000,000,000,000: sarong trilyon (sah-RAWNG treell-LYAWN)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): numero kan tren, bus, asbp. (NOO-meh-raw kahn trehn, booss, ah-SEEN ee-BAH pah)
half: kabangâ (kah-bah-NGAH' )
less: dikit (dee-KEET) (Bikol - Naga); diit (dee-EET) (Bikol - Legazpi)
more: dakol (dah-KAWLL)

Time

now: ngunyan (ngoon-YAHN)
later: atyan (aht-CHAHN)
before: bago (BAH-gaw )
morning: aga (AH-gah )
afternoon: hapon (HAH-pawn)
evening: banggi (bahng-GEE)
night: banggi (bahng-GEE)

Clock time

six o'clock AM: a las sais nin pagkaaga (ah-LAHSS sighss neen pahg-kah-AH-gah)
seven o'clock AM: a las syete nin pagkaaga (ah-LAHSS SHEH-teh neen pahg-kah-AH-gah)
noon: udto (ood-TAW)
one o'clock PM: a la una nin pagkahapon (ah-LAH OO-nah neen pahg-kah-HAH-pawn)
two o'clock PM: a las dos nin pagkahapon (ah-LAHSS DAWSS neen pahg-kah-HAH-pawn)
six o'clock PM: a las sais nin pagkabanggí (ah-LAHSS sighss neen pahg-kah-bahng-GEE)
seven o'clock AM: a las syete nin pagkabanggi (ah-LAHSS SHEH-teh neen pahg-kah-bahng-GEE)
midnight: matangâ (mah-tah-NGAH')

Duration

_____ second(s).: _____ segundo. (seh-GOON-daw)
_____ minute(s).: _____ minuto. (mee-NOO-taw)
_____ hour(s).: ______ oras. (AW-rahss)
_____ day(s).: ____ aldaw. (ahll-DOW)
_____ week(s).: ____ semana. (see-MAH-nah)
______ month(s).: ____ bulan. (BOO-lahn)
_____ year(s).: ____ taon. (tah-AWN)

Days

Names for days are borrowed from Spanish.

Monday: Lunes (LOO-nehss)
Tuesday: Martes (mahr-TEHSS)
Wednesday: Myerkoles (MYEHR-koo-lehss)
Thursday: Huwebes (hoo-WEH-behss)
Friday: Byernes (BYEHR-nehss)
Saturday: Sabado (SAH-bah-daw)
Sunday: Domingo (doo-MEENG-gaw)

today: ngunyan na aldaw (ngoon-YAHN nah ahll-DOW)
yesterday: kasuodma (kah-soo-ood-MAH')
tomorrow: sa aga (sah AH-gah)
this week: ngunyan na semana (ngoon-YAHN nah seh-MAH-nah)
last week: kan nakalihis na semana (kahn nah-kah-LEE-heess nah seh-MAH-nah)
next week: sa masunod na semana (sah MAH-soo-nawd nah seh-MAH-nah)

Months

The names of the months are borrowed from Spanish language.

January: Enero (eh-NEH-raw)
February: Pebrero (pehb-REH-raw)
March: Marso (MAHR-saw)
April: Abril (ahb-REELL)
May: Mayo (MAH-yaw)
June: Hunyo (HOON-nyaw)
July: Hulyo (HOOLL-lyaw)
August: Agosto (ah-GAWSS-taw)
September: Setyembre (seht-CHEHM-breh)
October: Oktobre (awck-TOO-breh)
November: Nobyembre (nawb-BYEHM-breh)
December: Desyembre (deess-SHEHM-breh)

Writing time and date

Dates can be written as follows:

English format: April 26, 1988 would be Abril 26, 1988
Spanish format: April 26, 1988 would be ika-26 kan Abril, 1988

Times are written as in English (as in 2:23) but spoken in Spanish (as in alas sais beynte tres).

Eating

A table for one person/two people.: Lamesa para sa sarô/duwa katawo. (lah-MEH-sah PAH-rah sah sah-RAW'/doo-WAH kah-TAH-waw)
Can I look at the menu.: Pwede ko máhiling an menu? (PWEH-deh kaw mah-hee-LEENG ahn meh-NOO?)
Can I look in the kitchen (, please)?: Pwede ko mahilíng an kusina? (PWEH-deh kaw mah-hee-LEENG ahn koo-SEE-nah?)
Where is the bathroom?: Saen an banyo? (sah-EEN ahn BAHN-yaw?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Vegetarian ako. (beh-jeh-TAHR-ryahn ah-KAW)
I don't eat pork.: Dai ako nagkakakan nin karneng urig. (dah-EE ah-KAW nahg-kah-kah-KAHN neen KAHR-nehng oo-REEG)
I don't eat beef.: Dai ako nagkakakan nin karneng baka. (dah-EE ah-KAW nag-kah-kah-KAHN neen KAHR-nehng BAH-kah)
It's salty.: Maasgad (mah-ahss-GAHD)
It's so sweet.: Mahamis (mah-hah-MEESS)
It's spicy.: Maharang (mah-HAH-rahng)
It's sour.: Maalsom (mah-ahll-SAWM)
breakfast: pamahawan (pah-mah-hah-WAHN)
lunch: pangudtohan (pah-ngood-TOO-hahn)
snack: merindal (meh-reen-DAHLL)
supper/dinner: Pamanggihan (pah-mahng-GEE-hahn)
I want ___.: Gusto ko ining ___. (GOOSS-taw kaw ee-NEENG ___)
I want a dish called ____.: Gusto ko ining panirâ na ____. (GOOSS-taw kaw ee-NEENG pah-nih-RAH' nah ___ )
chicken meat: karneng manok (kahr-NEHNG mah-NAWCK)
beef: karneng baka (kahr-NEHNG BAH-kah)
pork: karneng urig (kahr-NEHNG oo-REEG)
fish: sirâ (see-RAH')
food: kakanon (kah-KAH-nawn)
drinks: inomon (ee-NAW-mawn)
egg(s): sugok (SOO-gawck) (Bikol - Naga); bunay (boo-NIGH) (Bikol - Legazpi)
sausage: longganisa (lawng-gah-NEE-sah)
fresh vegetables: làbas na gulayon (lah'-BAHSS nah goo-lah-YAWN)
fresh fruits: làbas na prutas (lah'-BAHSS nah PROO-tahss)
restaurant: restawran (rehss-TOW-rahn)
bread: tinapay (tee-NAH-pigh)
cheese: keso (KEH-saw)
cooked rice: maluto (mah-LOO-taw')
raw: hilaw (hee-LOW)
cooked: linutò (lee-NOO-taw' )
noodles: pansit (pahn-SEET)
grilled/roasted: inihaw (ee-NEE-how)
salt: asin (ah-SEEN)
peanuts: mani (mah-NEE)
sugar: asukar (ah-SOO-kahr)
soy sauce: tawyo (tow-YAW')
onion: sebolyas (seh-BOOLL-lyahss)
corn: mais (mah-EESS)
cooking oil: lana (LAH-nah)
chili pepper: sili (SEE-lee) (Bikol - Naga); ladâ (lah-DAH') (Bikol - Legazpi)
coconut milk.: gutâ (Bikol - Naga) (goo-TAH' ); natok (Bikol - Legazpi) (nah-TAWCK)
It was delicious.: Masiram (mah-see-RAHM)
I'm finished / done eating .: Tapos na akong magkakan. (TAH-pawss nah ah-KAWNG mahg-kah-KAHN)

Colors

black.: itom (ee-TAWM)
white.: putî (poo-TEE')
blue.: asul (ah-SOOLL)
green.: berde (BEHR-deh)
gold.: bulawan (boo-LAH-wahn)
orange.: kahel (kah-HEHLL)
yellow.: amarilyo (ah-mah-REELL-yaw); giyáw (gee-YOW)
gray.: de-abó (deh ah-BAW)
brown.: de-kape (deh kah-PEH); baróron (bah-RAW-rawn)
red.: pulá (poo-LAH)
purple.: líla (LEE-lah)
silver.: pírak. (PEE-rahck); plata (PLAH-tah)
ebony.: bantulínaw (bahn-too-LEE-now)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is the ticket to _____?: Manggurâno an tiket pasiring sa _____? (mahng-goo-RAH'-naw ahn TEE-keht pah-SEE-reeng sah ___?)
One ticket to _____, please.: Sarong tiket pasiring sa _____. (sah-RAWNG TEE-keht pah-SEE-reeng sah)
Where does this train/bus go?: Pasiring sain ining tren/bus? (pah-SEE-reeng sah-EEN ee-NEENG trehn/booss?)
Does this train/bus stop in ____?: Nagpupundo ining tren/bus sa _____? (nahg-poo-poon-DAW ee-NEENG trehn/booss sah ___?)
When does the train/bus for ____ leave?: Nuarin malarga ining tren/bus pasiring sa _____? (noo-ah-REEN mah-LAHR-gah ee-NEENG trehn/booss pah-SEE-reeng sah ___?)
When will this train/bus arrive in ____?: Nuarin maabot ining tren/bus sa _____? (noo-ah-REEN mah-ah-BAWT ee-NEENG trehn/booss sah ___?)

Taxi

taxi: taksi (TAHCK-see)
Take me to____(, please).: Darhon mo ako sa ____ . (dahr-HAWN maw ah-KAW sah ___ )
How much does it cost to get to ____?: Manggurâno an plite pasiring sa ____. (mahng-goo-RAH'-naw ahn PLEE-teh pah-SEE-rihng sah___?)
Take me there, please.: Darhon mo ako duman. (dahr-HAWN maw ah-KAW doo-MAHN)

Jeepney

Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. When you hand your fare over to a driver or a conductor (the person who usually keeps hanging on the jeepney rails), always say your origin, your destination, and how many you are with.

Stop! (to get off the jeepney).: Para. (PAH-rah)
How much is the fare to ____?: Manggurâno an plite pasíring sa ____? (mahng-goo-RAH'-naw an PLEE-teh pah-SEE-reeng sah?)
Sir (Driver), where's my change?: Manoy, hain si suklî ko? (MAH-noy, HAH-een see soo-KLEE' kaw?)
Sir (Driver), you have excess change.: Manoy, sobra si sinulkî mo sakô. (MAH-noy, SAW-brah see see-nook-LEE' maw sah-KAW')
Can you drop me off at ____?: Pwede mo akong ihatod sa ____? (PWEH-deh maw ah-KAWNG ee-hah-TAWD sah ___)
Where are you from?: Tagasain ka? (TAH-gah sah-EEN kah?)
Where will you drop off?: Sain ka mababâ? (sah-EEN kah MAH-bah-bah'?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Pâno ako makaduman sa _____ (PAH'-naw ah-KAW mah-kah-doo-MAHN sah ___?)
...the train station?: ... estasyon kan tren (...ehss-tah-SHAWN kahn trehn)
...the bus station?: ... estasyon kan bus (...ehs-tah-SHAWN kahn booss)
...the airport?: ...palayogan (...ahn pah-lah-YAW-gahn?)
...downtown?: ...pasiring sa banwa (...pah-SEE-rihng sah bahn-WAH?)
...the youth hostel?: ...hostel kan kaakian (...hawss-TELL kahn kah-ah-KEE-ahn?)
...the _____ hotel?: .... ___ hotel (...____haw-TEHLL?)
...the American / Canadian / Australian / British consulate?: ...konsulado kan Amerika / Kanada / Australya / Britanya (kohn-soo-LAH-daw kahn ah-MEH-ree-kah / KAH-nah-dah / owss-TRAH-lee-yah / bree-TAH-nyah)
Where are there a lot of...: Saen an igwang dakol na... (sah-EEN ahn eeg-WAHNG dah-KAWLL nah...)
...hotels?: ...mga hotel? (...mah-NGAH haw-TEHLL?)
...restaurants?: ...mga restawran? (...mah-NGAH rehss-TOW-rahn?)
...bars?: ...mga bar? (...mah-NGAH bahr?)
...sites to see?: ...mga tànawon? (...mah-NGAH tah'-NAH-wawn?)
Can you show me on the map?: Pwede mo ipahiling sakuya sa mapa? (PWEH-deh maw ee-pah-hee-LEENG sah-KOO-yah' sah MAH-pah?)
street: tinampo (tee-nahm-PAW)
turn left: siko sa wala (SEE-kaw' sah wah-LAH)
turn right: siko sa tuo (SEE-kaw' sah TOO-aw)
left: wala (wah-LAH)
right: tuo (TOO-aw)
straight ahead: deretso sana (deh-REHT-chaw sah-NAH)
towards the____: pasiring sa ___ (pah-SEE-rihng sah ___)
past the ____: makalihis sa ____ (mah-kah-LEE-hehss sah ___)
before the ____: bago mag-agi sa ____ (BAH-gaw mag-AH-ghee sah ____)
intersection: pagsuwayan (pahg-soo-WIGH-yahn)
north: amihanan (ah-mee-HAH-nahn)
south: habagatan (hah-bah-gah-TAHN)
east: subangan (soo-BAH-ngahn); sirangan (see-RAH-ngahn)
west: solnopan (sool-NAW-pahn)
uphill: patukad (pah-TOO-kahd); pasubida (pah-soo-BEE-dah)
downhill: palugsot (pah-loog-SAWT); padalhog (pah-dahl-HAWG)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Igwa pa kamong available na kwarto? (eeg-WAH pah kah-MAWNG ah-VAY-luh-buhll nah KWAHR-taw?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Manggurâno an kuwarto para sa sarô/duwá katawo? (mahng-goo-RAH'-naw ahn KWAHR-taw PAH-rah sah sah-RAW'/doo-WAH kah-TAH-waw?)
Does the room come with __.: Igwa an kwarto nin___? (eeg-WAH ahn koo-WAHR-taw neen___?)
bedsheets: kobre kama (KAW-breh KAH-mah)
pillows: ulonan (oo-LOO-nahn)
blankets: tamong (tah-MAWNG)
bathrooms: banyo (BAHN-yaw); karigosán (kah-ree-goo-SAHN)
telephone: telepono (teh-LEH-poo-naw)
TV: TV (TEE-bee)
Can I see the room first?: Pwede ko mahiling mûna an kwarto? (PWEH-deh kaw MAH-hee-leeng MOO'-nah ahn KWAHR-taw?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Igwa kamong mas tuninong pa kaini? (eeg-WAH kah-MAWNG mahss too-NEE-nawng pah kah-ee-NEE?)
bigger: mas dakula (mahss dah-KOO-lah' )
cheaper: mas barato (mahss bah-RAH-taw)
cleaner: mas malinig (mahss mah-LEE-neeg)
I will stay for ____ nights.: Matener ako digdi nin ___ na banggi. (mah-teh-NEHR ah-KAW dihg-DEE neen ___ nah bahng-GEE)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Kabali na digdi an pamahaw/pamanggi? (kah-BAH-lee nah deeg-DEE ahn pah-MAH-hah-wahn / pah-mang-GEE?)
What time is breakfast/lunch/supper?: Anong oras an pamahaw/pangudto/pamanggi?(ah-NAWNG AW-rahss ahn pah-MAH-how / pah-NGOOD-taw / pah-mahng-GEE?)
Please clean my room.: Pakilinigan mo an sakong kwarto. (pah-kee-lee-NEE-gahn maw ahn sah-KOO-yahng KWAHR-taw)
Can you wake me up at ____ (e.g. ten o'clock): Pwede mo akong pukawon pag-______ (e.g. alas dose) (PWEH-deh maw ah-KAWNG poo-KAH-wawn pahg-___)
I want to check out.: Gusto ko mag-check out. (GOOS-taw kaw mahg-CHEHCK-owt)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Nag-aakò kamo nin American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (nahg-ah-AH-kaw kah-MAW neen ah-MEH-rih-kahn/owss-TREHL-yahn/KAH-ney-dyahn DAH-lahrss?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Nag-aakò kamo nin British pounds? (nahg-ah-AH-kaw' kah-MAW neen BREE-teesh powndss?)
Do you accept euros?: Nag-aakò kamo nin Euros? (nahg-ah-AH-kaw' kah-MAW neen YOO-rawss?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Nag-aakò kamo nin credit card? (nahg-ah-AH-kaw kah-MAW neen KREH-deet kahrd?)
Can you change money for me?: Pwede mo ribayan ining kuwarta para sakuyà? (PWEH-deh maw ree-BAH-yahn ee-NEENG KWAHR-tah PAH-rah sah-KOO-yah'?)
Where can I get money changed?: Saen ako pwedeng magparibay nin kuwarta? (sah-EEN ah-KAW PWEH-dehng mahg-pah-REE-bigh neen KWAHR-tah?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Pwede mo ribayan an traveler's check para sakuya? (PWEH-deh maw ree-BIGH-yahn ahn TRAH-beh-lehrss chehck PAH-rah sah-KOO-yah'?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Saen ako pwedeng magparibay nin traveler's check? (sah-EEN ah-KAW PWEH-dehng mahg-pah-REE-bigh neen TRAH-beh-lehrss chehck?)
What is the exchange rate right now?: Ano an exchange rate ngunyan? (ah-NAW ahn ehckss-CHAYNJ rayt ngoon-YAHN?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Saen an ATM? (sah-EEN ahn ay-TEE-ehm?)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Nagseserbi kamo nin arak? (nahg-seh-sehr-BEE kah-MAW neen AH-rahck?)
A beer/two beers, please.: Sarô/Duwáng bote nin beer. (sah-RAW'/doo-WAHNG BAW-teh neen beer)
A glass of red/white wine.: Sarong baso nin red/white wine. (sah-RAWNG BAH-saw neen rehd/wight wighn)
whiskey: wiski (WEES-kee)
vodka: bodka (BAWD-kah)
rum: ram (RAHM)
water: tubig (TOO-bihg)
One more, please.: Sarô pa. (sah-RAW' pah)
What time do you close?: Anong oras kamo nagsasara? (ah-NAWNG AW-rahss kah-MAW nahg-sah-sah-RAH?)
Cheers!: Tagay! (TAH-gigh)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Igwa kamong kasukol ko? (eeg-WAH kah-MAWNG kah-SOO-kawll kaw?)
How much is this?: Gurâno ini? (goo-RAH'-naw ee-NEE?)
That's too expensive.: Mahalon man iyan. (mah-HAH-lawn mahn ee-YAHN)
Would you take _____?: Pwede mo kuahon an ___? (PWEH-deh maw koo-ah-HAWN ahn ___?)
expensive: mahal (mah-HAHLL)
cheap: barato (bah-RAH-taw)
I can't afford it.: Dai ko kayang bakalon ini. (dah-EE kaw KAH-yahng bah-kah-LAWN ee-NE)
I don't want it / that.: Habô ko kaini / kaiyan. (hah-BAW' kaw kah-ee-NEE / kah-eeh-YAHN)
You're trying to fool me.: Pigdadayà mo ako. (pihg-dah-DAH-yah' maw ah-KAW)
I'm not interested.: Bako ako interesado. (bah-KAW' ah-KAW een-teh-reh-SAH-daw)
OK, I'll take it.: Sige, kukuahon ko. (SEE-geh, koo-koo-AH-hawn kaw)
Can I have a bag?: Pwede akong maghagad nin bag? (PWEH-deh ah-KAWNG mahg-HAH-gahd neen bahg?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Nagpapadara kamo sa ibang nasyon? (nahg-pah-pah-dah-RAH kah-MAW sah eeh-BAHNG nahss-SHAWN?)
I need...: Kaipohan ko nin... (kah-eeh-PAW-hahn kaw neen...)
...toothpaste.: ...toothpaste (TOOTH-payst)
...a toothbrush.: ...sepilyo (seh-PEEL-yaw)
...tampons.: ...mga tampon. (mah-NGAH tahm-PAWN)
...soap.: ...sabon (sah-BAWN)
...shampoo.: ...shampoo (SHAHM-poo)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...bulong sa kulog (boo-LAWNG sah koo-LAWG)
...cold medicine.: ...bulong sa sìpon (boo-LAWNG sah see'-PAWN)
...stomach medicine.: ...bulong sa kulog kan tulak ... (boo-LAWNG sah koo-LAWG kahn too-LAHCK)
...a razor.: ...pang-ahit (pahng-AH-heet)
...an umbrella.: ...payong (PAH-yawng)
...sunblock lotion.: ...sunblock lotion (SUHN-blahck LOH-shawn)
...a postcard.: ...postcard (POHST-kahrd)
...postage stamps.: ...postage stamps (POHSS-tehj STAHMPSS)
...batteries.: ...pila (PEE-lah)
...writing paper.: ...suratan (soo-rah-TAHN)
...a pen.: ...bolpen (BAWLL-pehn)
...English-language books.: ...libro sa tataramon na Ingles (leeb-RAW sah tah-tah-RAH-mawn nah eeng-GLEHSS)
...English-language magazines.: ...magasin sa tataramon na Ingles (MAH-gah-seen sah tah-tah-RAH-mawn na eeng-GLEHSS)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...diyaryo sa tataramon na Ingles (jahr-YAW sah tah-tah-RAH-mawn nah eeng-GLEHSS)
...an English-Bikol dictionary.: ...diksyonaryo sa tataramon na Ingles - Bikol (deeck-shaw-NAHR-ryaw sah tah-tah-RAH-mawn nah eeng-GLEHSS-BEE-kawll)

Driving

Most of the road signs in the Philippines are in English. As Bikol enjoys no official status in the Philippines, no street sign is written in the language. Street signs and even public notices are written in English.

I want to rent a car.: Gusto ko mag-arkila nin kotse. (GOOSS-taw kaw mahg-ahr-kee-LAH neen KAW-cheh )
Can I get insurance?: Pwede akong magkùa nin insyurans? (PWEH-deh ah-KAWNG mahg-koo-AH neen een-SHOO-rahnss?)
no parking.: dai magparada. (dah-EE mahg-pah-RAH-dah)
gas (petrol) station.: gasolinahan. (gah-saw-lee-nah-HAHN)
petrol.: gasolina. (gah-saw-LEE-nah)
diesel.: krudo. (KROO-daw)

Authority

I didn't do anything wrong.: Mayo akong naginibong salâ.(MAH-yaw' ah-KAWNG NAH-ghee-nee-bawng sah-LAH' )
It was a misunderstanding.: Dai sana kami nagkasabotan.(dah-EE sah-NAH kah-MEE nag-kah-sah-baw-TAHN)
Where are you taking me?: Saen mo ako dadarhon? (sah-EEN maw ah-KAW dah-dahr-HAWN)
Am I under arrest?: Arestado ako (ah-rehss-TAH-daw ah-KAW?)
Where's the warrant?: Haen an mandamyento? (HAH-ehn ahn mahn-dah-MYEHN-taw?)
I am an American / Australian / British / Canadian citizen.: Sarô akong namamanwaan na Amerikano / Australyano / Briton / Kanadyano. (sah-RAW' ah-KAWNG nah-mah-mahn-WAH-ahn nah ah-meh-ree-KAH-naw / owss-trahll-LYAH-naw / bree-TAWN / kah-nah-JAH-naw)
I want to talk to the American / Australian / British / Canadian embassy / consulate.: Gusto kong makaulay an embahada / konsulado kan Amerika / Australya / Britanya / Kanada. (GOOSS-taw kawng mah-kah-OO-ligh ahn ehm-bah-HAH-dah / kawn-soo-LAH-daw kahn ah-MEH-ree-kah / awss-TRAHLL-lyah / bree-TAHN-nyah / KAH-nah-dah)
I want to talk to my lawyer.: Gusto kong makaulay an abogado ko. (GOOSS-taw kawng mah-kah-OO-ligh ahn ah-boo-GAH-daw kaw)
Can I just pay a fine, now.: Pwede daw na magbayad sana akong multa? (PWEH-deh dow nah mahg-BAH-yahd sah-NAH ah-KAWNG MOOLL-tah?)

Learning more

Learn Bikol at Wikibooks

This Bikol phrasebook has guide status. It covers all the major topics for traveling without resorting to English. Please contribute and help us make it a star!