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Cebuano or Bisayan is the one of major languages of Philippines. It is spoken natively by the inhabitants of Cebu Province, Bohol, Negros Oriental and the people in western Leyte province and throughout Mindanao. It is also spoken in a few towns and islands in Samar.

Pronunciation guide

Cebuano is an extremely phonetic language, thus making it much more simple for non-Cebuanos to learn and speak.

If one is familiar with Spanish, this makes Cebuano all the easier. Every Filipino language has similarities to Spanish (the Philippines having been conquered by the Spaniards and subsequently under Spanish rule for 300 years), and the pronunciation is nearly identical. Double "l"s in Cebuano are pronounced with a "y" sound, the "j" is typically spoken as "h", and the "r"s are rolled in the same way Spanish-speakers roll their "r"s.

The most common pronunciation mistake made by non-Cebuano speakers trying to learn the language is its double vowels. These use what linguists call "glottal stops", which makes one sound pause before saying the other sound. Take, for instance, the phrase for good evening: "Maayong gabii". Most non-Filipinos would read that out loud as "mai-yong gabby". Not so. Every vowel in Filipino languages is pronounced, even when it follows another vowel. Thus, good evening would be "ma-ayong gabi-i". So take notice that each double vowel, e.g. aa, ii, oo, ua, au, has a glottal stop between the two vowels.

"Ula and ola" the 'l' has a 'w' sound as in "water". For 'ala' the 'l' disappears e.g. halang (hang).

Stress

Stress in Cebuano is next to the last syllable if more than one syllable. Beyond that, with two syllables the first gets stressed.

Vowels

Unaccented Cebuano Vowels

a
as the 'a' in "attention" [when the 'a' follows 'y' it becomes 'ay' similar to the word "eye"]
e
as the 'e' in "bed"
i
as the 'ee' in "week"
o
as the 'o' in "open"
u
as the 'oo' in "book"

Accented Cebuano Vowels

à
long sound like 'a' in "far" [ahh]
â
short sound like 'a' in "attend" [ah]
è
long sound like 'e' in "bled" [ehh]
ê
short sound like 'e' in "let" [eh]
ì
long sound like 'ee' in "bleed" [ee]
î
short sound like 'i' in "it" [ih]
ò
long sound like 'o' in "obey" [ohh]
ô
short sound like 'o' in "okay" [oh]
ù
long sound like 'oo' in "pool" [ooo]
û
short sound like 'oo' in "cook" [oo]

Double Cebuano Vowels

aa
as two separate sounds with a stop "maayong" [mah-ah-yong]
i-i
two separate sounds "gabi-i" [GAH-bee-ee]

Consonants

b
like 'b' in "bed"
c
like 's' in "supper", 'k' in "kid" [foreign sounds]
d
like 'd' in "dog"
g
like 'g' in "go" [always hard sound]
h
like 'h' in "help"
k
like 'k' in "kitten"
l
like 'l' in "love"
m
like 'm' in "mother"
n
like 'n' in "nice"
ng
like 'ng' in "bang" [nasal sound]
p
like 'p' in "pig"
r
like 'r' in "rico" [rolled 'r']
s
like 's' in "sun"
t
like 't' in "top"
w
like 'w' in "weight"
y
like 'y' in "yes" also as 'y' in "possibly"

Other Sounds

oy
like 'oy' in "boy"
iyo
like 'io' in "Ohio"
iye
like 'ie' in "miedo"
ay
like the word "eye"
aa
two separate sounds with glottal stop [ah-ah]
oo
two separate sounds with glottal stop [oh-oh]
i-i
two separate sounds with glottal stop [ee-ee]
we
like 'we' in "wet"
ais
like 'ace' in "face"
ly
like 'li' in "million"
aw
like 'ow' in "cow"
ts
like 'ch' in "chip"
dyi
like 'j' in "jump"
uy
like 'oy' in "toy"

Phrase list

Basics

How are you?
Kumusta ka? (koo-MOOS-tah kah?)
Fine, thank you.
Maayo, salamat. (MAH-ah-yoh, SAH-maht)
What is your name?
Unsay imong pangalan?, Unsay ngalan mo? (OON-sai EE-mohng PAHN-gahn?, OON-sai NGAH-lahn moh?)
My name is ______.
Ang akong pangalan mao si ______. (ahng AH-kohng pahn-GAH-lahn MAH oh see_____)
I am ______.
Ako si ______. (AH-koh see____)
Nice to meet you.
Maayo nga nagka-ila ta. (MAH-ah-yoh ngah NAHG-kah-ee-lah tah)
Please.
Palihug. (pah-LEE-hoog)
Thank you.
Salamat. (sah-LAH-maht)
Thank you very much.
Dahang Salamat. (DAG-hang sah-LAH-maht)
You're welcome.
Walay sapayan. (WAH-lay sah-PAH-yahn)
No problem.
Walay problema. (WAH-lay prob-LEH-ma)
Yes.
Oo. (OH-oh)
No.
Dili. (DEE-lee)
Excuse me. (getting attention)
Kadiyot lang. (KAH-dyoht lahng)
Excuse me. (begging pardon)
Pasaylo-a ko. (pah-SAI-loh-ah koh)
I'm sorry.
Pasaylo-a ko. (pah-SAI-loh-ah koh)
Goodbye
Babay. (BAH-bai)
I can't speak Cebuano [well].
Dili ko makasulti'g "Cebuano" [buyno]. (DEE-lee koh mah-kah-SOOL-teeg "Cebuano" [BWEE-noh ])
Do you speak English?
Makasulti ka ug iningles? (mah-kah-SOOl-tih kah oog EE-ning-lehs?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?
Naa bay makasulti ug ininglis diri? (NAH-ah bai mah-kah-SOOL-tee oog EE-ning-lehs DEE-ree?)
Help!
Tabang! (TAH-bahng!)
Look out!
Pagbantay! (PAHG-bahn-tai!)
Good morning.
Maayong buntag. (MAH-ah-yohng BOON-tahg)
Good afternoon.
(11AM-12:59PM) Maayong udto, (MAH-ah-yohng OOD-toh) (1PM and onwards) Maayong hapon. (MAH-ah-yohng HAH-pohng)
Good evening.
Maayong gabi-i. (MAH-ah-yohng GAH-bee-ee)
Good night.
Maayong gabi-i. (MAH-ah-yohng GAH-bee-ee)
I don't understand.
Dili ko makasabot. (DEE-lee koh mah-kah-SAH-boht)
Where is the toilet?
Asa dapit ang kasilyas? (AH-sah DAH-peet ahng kah-SEE-lyahs?)

Problems

Leave me alone!
Pasagda-i ko! (pah-SAHG-dah-ee koh!)
Don't touch me!
Ayaw ko hilabti! (AH-ee-ow koh hee-LAHB-tee!)
Help!
Tabang! (TAH-bahng!)
I need your help!
Kinahanglan ko ug tabang ninyo! (kee-nah-HAHN-glahn koh oog TAH-bahng NEE-nyoh!)
Police!
Pulis! (POO-lees!)
Call the police!
Tawag ug pulis! (TAH-wahg oog POO-lees!)
I'm lost.
Nasalaag ko. (nah-sah-LAH-ahg koh!)
I'm tired
Gikapoy ko. (gee-KAH-poy koh)
I'm not feeling well.
Lain ang akong panglawas. (layn ahng AH-kohng pahn-GLAH-wahs)
I can't sleep.
Dili ko makatulog. (DEE-lee koh mah-kah-TOO-lohg)
I can't eat.
Dili ko makakaon. (DEE-lee koh mahk-KAH-kah-ohn)
I have a headache.
Sakit ang akong ulo./Labad ang akong ulo. (SAH-keet ahng AH-kohng OO-loh/LAH-bahd ahng AH-kohng OO-loh)
I'm hungry.
Gigutom ko. (gee-GOO-tohm koh)
I'm thirsty.
Giuhaw ko. (gee-OO-haw koh)
I ran out of money
Nahurot ang akong kwarta. (nah-HOO-roht ahng AH-kohng KWAHR-tah)
I lost my bag.
Nawala ang akong bag. (nah-WAH-lah ahng AH-kohng bahg)
I lost my wallet.
Nawala ang akong pitaka. (nah-WAH-lah ahng AH-kohng pee-TAH-kah)
I lost my cellphone.
Nawala ang akong cellphone. (nah-WAH-lah ahng AH-kohng sehl-fown)
Where's the nearest hospital?
Asa dapit ang pinakaduol na ospital? (AH-sah DAH-peet ahng pee-nah-KAH-doo-ohl nah ohs-PEE-tahl?)

Numbers

For numbers above 10, Spanish is more commonly used, though it spell phonetically. When using numbers with currency, Spanish notation commonly is used (e.g. P 5.00, in English, it says five pesos, but in Cebuano, it says singko pesos (SEENG-koh PEH-sohs)).

0
siro (SEE-roh)
1
usa, uno (OO-sah, OO-noh )
2
duha, dos (DOO-hah, dohs)
3
tulo, tres (TOO-loh, trehs)
4
upat, kuwatro (OO-paht, KWAH-troh)
5
lima, singko (LEE-mah, SEENG-koh)
6
unom, sayis (OO-nohm, says)
7
pito, siyete (PEE-toh, SYEH-teh)
8
walo, otso (WAH-loh, OHT-soh)
9
siyam, nuwebe (SEE-yahm, NWEH-beh)
10
napulo, diyes (nah-POO-loh, dyehs)
11
napulog-usa, onse (nah-POO-lohg-OO-sah, OHN-seh)
12
napulog-duha, dose (nah-POO-lohg-DOO-hah, DOH-seh)
13
napulog-tulo, trese (nah-POO-lohg-TOO-loh, TREH-seh)
14
napulog-upat, katorse (nah-POO-lohg-OO-paht, kah-TOHR-seh)
15
napulog-lima, kinse (nah-POO-lohg-LEE-mah, KEEN-seh)
16
napulog-unom, desisais (nah-POO-lohg-OO-nohm, deh-SEE-says)
17
napulog-pito, desisiyete (nah-POO-lohg-PEE-toh, deh-see-SYEH-teh)
18
napulog-walo, desiotso (nah-POO-lohg-WAH-loh, deh-SYOHT-soh)
19
napulog-siyam, desinuwebe (deh-see-NWEH-beh)
20
kawhaan, baynte (kow-HAH-ahn, BAYN-teh)
21
kawhaan ug uno, baynte uno (kow-HAH-ahn oog OO-noh, BAYN-teh OO-noh)
30
katloan, traynta (TRAYN-tah)
40
kwarenta (kwah-REHN-tah)
50
singkwenta (seeng-KWEHN-tah)
60
saysenta (say-SEHN-tah)
70
setenta (seh-TEHN-tah)
80
otsenta (oht-SEHN-tah)
90
nubenta (noo-BEHN-tah)
100
usa ka gatos, siyento (OO-sah kah GAH-tohs, SYEHN-toh)
101
usa ka gatos ug usa, siyento uno (OO-sah kah oog OO-sah, SYEHN-toh OO-noh)
110
usa ka gatos ug napulo, siyento diyes (OO-sah kah GAH-tohs oog nah-POO-loh, SYEHN-toh dyehs)
200
dosentos (doh-SEHN-tohs)
300
tresentos (treh-SEHN-tohs)
400
kuwatrosentos (kwah-troh-SEHN-tohs)
500
kinyentos (kee-NYEHN-tohs)
600
saysentos (say-SEHN-tohs)
700
setesentos (seh-teh-SEHN-tohs)
800
otsosentos (oht-soh-SEHN-tohs)
900
nuybesentos (nwee-beh-SEHN-tohs)
1000
usa ka libo, mil (OO-sah kah LEE-boh, meel)
10,000
napulo ka libo, diyes mil (nah-POO-loh kah LEE-boh, dyehs meel)
100,000
usa ka gatos ka libo, siyento mil (OO-sah kah GAH-tohs kah LEE-boh, SYEHN-toh meel)

For numbers 1,000,000 and above, use the American English notation.

1,000,000
usa ka milyon (OO-sah kah MEE-lyohn)
1,000,000,000
usa ka bilyon (OO-sah kah BEE-lyohn)
1,000,000,000,000
usa ka trilyon (OO-sah kah TREE-lyohn)

Time

Clock time

one o'clock AM
ala una sa ka-adlawon (AH-lah OO-nah sah kah-ahd-LAH-wohn)
two o'clock AM
alas dos sa ka-adlawon (AH-lahs dohs sah kah-ahd-LAH-wohn)
three o'clock AM
alas tres sa ka-adlawon (AH-lahs trehs sah kah-ahd-LAH-wohn)
four o'clock AM
alas kwatro sa ka-adlawon (AH-lahs KWAH-troh sah kah-ahd-LAH-wohn)
five o'clock AM
alas singko sa ka-adlawon (AH-lahs SEENG-koh sah kah-ahd-LAH-wohn)
six o'clock AM
alas sais sa buntag (AH-lahs says sah BOON-tahg)
seven o'clock AM
alas siyete sa buntag (AH-lahs SYEH-teh sah BOON-tahg)
eight o'clock AM
alas otso sa buntag (AH-lahs OHT-soh sah BOON-tahg)
nine o'clock AM
alas nuwebe sa buntag (AH-lahs noo-WEH-beh sah BOON-tahg)
ten o'clock AM
alas diyes sa buntag (AH-lahs dyehs sah BOON-tahg)
eleven o'clock AM
alas onse sa buntag (AH-lahs OHN-seh sah BOON-tahg)
twelve o'clock noon
alas dose sa udto (AH-lahs DOH-seh sah OOD-toh)
one o'clock PM
ala una sa hapon (AH-lahs OO-nah sah HAH-pohn)
two o'clock PM
alas dos sa hapon (AH-lahs dohs sah HAH-pohn)
three o'clock PM
alas tres sa hapon (AH-lahs trehs sah HAH-pohn)
four o'clock PM
alas kwatro sa hapon (AH-lahs KWAH-troh sah HAH-pohn)
five o'clock PM
alas singko sa hapon (AH-lahs SEENG-koh sah HAH-pohn)
six o'clock PM
alas sais sa-gabi-i (AH-lahs SYEH-teh sah-gah-BEE-ee)
seven o'clock PM
alas siyete sa-gabi-i (AH-lahs says sah-gah-BEE-ee)
eight o'clock PM
alas otso sa-gabi-i (AH-lahs OHT-soh sah-gah-BEE-ee)
nine o'clock PM
alas nuebe sa-gabi-i (AH-lahs noo-EH-beh sah-gah-BEE-ee)
ten o'clock PM
alas dies sa-gabi-i (AH-lahs DEE-ehs sah-gah-BEE-ee)
eleven o'clock PM
alas onse sa-gabi-i (AH-lahs OHN-seh sah gah-BEE-ee)
one o'clock PM
ala una sa hapon (AH-lah OO-nah sah HAH-pohn)
two o'clock PM
alas dos sa hapon (AH-lahs dohs sah HAH-pohn)
twelve o'clock midnight
alas dose sa ka-adlawon (AH-lahs DOH-seh sah kah-ahd-LAH-wohn)
one thirty o'clock PM
ala una y media sa hapon (AH-lah OO-nah ee meh-DEE-ah sah HAH-pohn)
two thiry PM
alas dos y media sa hapon, alas dos traynta sa hapon (AH-lahs dohs ee meh-DEE-ah sah HAH-pohn, AH-lahs dohs TRAYN-tah sah HAH-pohn)
one thirty AM
ala una y media sa ka-adlawon, ala una traynta sa ka-adlawon (AH-lah OO-nah ee meh-DEE-ah sah kah-ahd-LAH-wohn, AH-lah OO-nah TRAYN-tah sah kah-ahd-LAH-wohn)
nine thirty AM
alas nuwebe sa buntag (AH-lahs NWEH-beh sah BOON-tahg)
one forty five AM
ala una kwarenta y singko sa buntag (AH-lah OO-nah kwah-REHN-tah ee SEENG-koh sah BOON-tahg)
nine forty five AM
alas nuebe kwarenta y singko sa buntag (AH-lahs NWEH-beh kwah-REHN-tah ee SEENG-koh sah BOON-tahg)

Duration

_____ second(s)
_____ ka segundo(s) (kah seh-GOON-doh (s))
_____ minute(s)
_____ ka minuto(s) (kah mee-NOO-toh (s))
_____ hour(s)
_____ ka oras (kah OH-rahs)
_____ day(s)
_____ ka adlaw (kah AHD-low)
_____ week(s)
_____ ka semana (kah seh-MAH-nah)
_____ month(s)
_____ ka bulan (kah BOO-lahn)
_____ year(s)
_____ ka tu-ig (kah TOO-eeg)

Days

day
adlaw (AHD-low)
today
karon (KAH-rohn)
yesterday
gahapon (gah-HAH-pohn)
tomorrow
ugma (OOG-mah)
tonight
karong gabi-i (KAH-rohng gah-BEE-ee)
week
semana (seh-MAH-nah)
this week
karong semana (KAH-rohng seh-MAH-nah)
last week
niaging semana (nee-AH-geeng seh-MAH-nah)
next week
sunod semana (SOO-nohd seh-MAH-nah)

The days of the week are borrowed from Spanish.

Sunday
Dominggo (doh-MEENG-goh)
Monday
Lunes (LOO-nehs)
Tuesday
Martes (MAHR-tehs)
Wednesday
Miyerkoles (myehr-KOH-lehs)
Thursday
Huwebes (hoo-WEH-behs)
Friday
Biyernes (BYEHR-nehs)
Saturday
Sabado (sah-BAH-doh)

Months

The name of the months are borrowed from the Spanish language.

January
Enero (eh-NEH-roh)
February
Pebrero (peh-BREH-roh)
March
Marso (MAHR-soh)
April
Abril (AH-breel)
May
Mayo (MAH-yoh)
June
Hunyo (HOO-nyoh)
July
Hulyo (HOO-lyoh)
August
Agosto (ah-GOHS-toh)
September
Septyembre (sehp-TYEHM-breh)
October
Oktubre (ohk-TOO-breh)
November
Nobyembre (noh-BYEHM-breh)
December
Disyembre (dee-SYEHM-breh)

Writing time and date

Dates can be written as follows:

  • English format: June 18, 2006 would be Hunyo 18, 2006
  • Spanish format: June 18, 2006 would be ika-18 sa Hunyo, 2006

Times are written as in English (as in 6:23AM) but are spoken as in Spanish (as in alas says beynte tres sa buntag).

Colors

black
itúm (ee-TOOM)
blue
asul (AH-sool)
brown
kape (KAH-peh)
gold
bulawan (boo-LAH-wahn)
green
berde (BEHR-deh)
gray
abuhun (ah-BOO-hoon)
orange
orens (OH-rehns)
pink
rosa (ROH-sah)
red
pula (POO-lah)
violet
bayole (bah-YOH-leh)
white
putí (poo-TEE)
yellow
dalág (dah-LAHG)

Transportation

car
kotse (KOHT-seh)
bus
bus (boos)
truck
trak (trahk)
ferry,ship
barko (BAHR-koh)
boat
bangka (BAHNG-kah)
bicycle
bisikleta (bee-see-KLEH-tah)
motorcycle
motorsiklo (moh-tohr-SEE-kloh)
airplane
eroplano (eh-roh-PLAH-noh)
helicopter
helikopter (heh-lee-KOHP-tehr)

Due to the nature of the country as being broken into many islands, Trains and Railways are not needed by the bulk of the population; rather turning to planes and ferries to complete longer journeys.

Bus

How much is a ticket to _____?
Tagpila ning tiket padulong _____ ? (tahg-PEE-lah neeng TEE-keht pah-DOO-lohng___?)
One ticket to _____, please.
Usa ka tiket padulong _____, palihug. (OO-sah kah TEE-keht pah-DOO-lohng____, pah-LEE-hoog)
Where does this bus go?
Asa na padulong kining bus? (AH-sah nah pah-DOO-lohng KEE-neeng boos?)
Where is the bus to _____?
Asa ang bus padulong _____ ? (AH-sah ahng boos pah-DOO-lohng)
Does this bus stop in _____?
Mohunong ba ning bus sa _____? (moh-HOO-nohng bah neeng boos sah____?)
When does the bus for _____ leave?
Kanus-a molarga ang bus padulong _____? (KAH-noos-ah moh-LAHR-gah ahng boos pah-DOO-lohng_____?)
When will this bus arrive in _____?
Kanus-a moabot ang bus sa _____? (kah-NOOS-ah moh-AH-boht ahng boos sah____?)

Directions

Where is the _____?
Asa dapit ang _____? (AH-sah DAH-peet ahng___?)
street
dalan (DAH-lahn)
road
karsada (kahr-SAH-dah)
avenue
abenyu (ah-BEH-nyoo)
path
subayanan (soo-bah-YAH-nahn)
alley
eskinita (ehs-kee-NEE-tah)
highway
haywi (HAI-wee)
corner
eskina (ehs-KEE-nah)
Turn left.
Liko sa wala. (LEE-koh sah WAH-lah)
Turn right.
Liko sa tu-o. (LEE-koh sah TOO-oh)
left
wala (WAH-lah)
right
tu-o (TOO-oh)
straight ahead
adto deretso (AHD-toh deh-REHT-soh)
towards the _____
padulong sa _____ (pah-DOO-lohng sah____)
past the _____
lapas sa _____ (LAH-pahs sah____)
before the _____
sa dili pa ang _____ (sah DEE-lee pah ahng____)
Watch out for the _____.
Pagbantay sa _____. (pahg-BAHN-tai sah____)
intersection
interseksiyon (een-tehr-SEHK-syohn)
north
norte, amihanan (NOHR-teh, ah-mee-HAH-nahn)
south
sur, habagatan (soor, hah-bah-GAH-tahn)
east
sidlakan (seed-LAH-kahn)
west
kasadpan (kah-SAHD-pahn)
uphill
pasaka (sa buntod) (pah-SAH-kah (sah BOON-tohd))
downhill
paubos (sa buntod) (pah-OO-bohs (sah BOON-tohd))

Taxi

Taxi!
Taksi! (TAHK-see)
Take me to _____, please.
Dad-a ko sa_____, palihug. (dahd-ah koh sah_____, pah-LEE-hoog)
I'm going to ____
Mo-adto ko sa _____ (moh-AHD-toh koh sah___?)
How much does it cost to get to _____?
Pila ang pliti padulong _____? (PEE-lah ahng PLEE-tee pah-doo-LOHNG____?)
How much is the fare?
Pila ang pliti? (pee-LAH ahng plee-TEE?)
Take me there, please.
Dad-a ko diha, palihug. (DAHD-ah koh DEE-hah, pah-LEE-hoog)

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 on hanging on the jeepney rails), always say your origin, your destination, and how many are you with.

Stop! (to get off the jeepney)
Lugar! (loo-GAHR!)
How much is the fare to _____?
Tagpila ang pliti padulong _____? (tahg-pee-LAH ahng plee-TEE pah-doo-LOHNG_____?)
Sir (Driver), where's my change?
Manong, Asa ang akong sukli? (mah-NOHNG, ah-SAH ahng ah-KOHNG soo-KLEE?)
Sir (Driver), you have excess change.
Manong, sobra ang imong sukli. (mah-NOHNG, soh-BRAH ahng ee-MOHNG soo-KLEE?)
Can you drop me off at ____?
Mahimo ba malugar sa ____? (mah-hee-MOH bah mah-loo-GAHR sah____?)
Where are you from?
Asa ka gikan? (ah-SAH kah gee-KAHN?)
Where will you drop off?
Asa ka manaog? (ah-SAH kah mah-nah-OHG?)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?
Naa moy kwarto na bakante? (nah-AH moy kwahr-TOH nah bah-kahn-TEH?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?
Tagpila ang room alang sa usa ka tawo/duha ka tawo? (tahg-pee-LAH ahng room ah-LAHNG sah oo-SAH kah tah-WOH/ doo-HAH kah tah-WOH?)
Does the room come with...
Kining kwarto apil na ba ang ______ ? (KEE-neeng KWAHR-toh AH-peel nah bah ahng___?)
...bedsheets?
...habol? (hah-BOHL?)
...pillows?
...unlan? (oon-LAHN?)
...a bathroom?
...banyo? (bah-NYOH?)
...a telephone?
...telepono? (teh-leh-poh-NOH?)
...a TV?
... TV? (teh beh)
Can I see the room first?
Mahimo ba motan-aw sa inyong kwarto una? (mah-HEE-moh bah moh-TAHN-aw sah EEN-yohng KWAHR-toh OO-nah?)
Do you have anything quieter?
Naa pay mas hilom pa? (NAH-ah pai mahs HEE-lohm pah?)
...bigger?
...mas dako? (mahs DAH-koh?)
...cleaner?
...mas limpyo? (mahs LEEM-pyoh?)
...cheaper?
...mas barato? (mahs bah-RAH-toh?)
OK, I'll take it.
Sige, kuhaon nako. (SEE-geh, koo-HAH ohn NAH-koh)
I will stay for _____ night(s).
Mopuyo ko diri sa _____ ka gab-i. (moh-POO-yoh koh DEE-ree sah____kah GAH-bee)
Can you suggest another hotel?
Naa bay masugyut nimu nga laing hotel? (NAH-ah bai mah-SOO-gyoot NEE-moo ngah LAH-eeng HOH-tehl?)
Do you have a safe?
Naa ba moy tipiganan sa salapi? (NAH-ah bah moy tee-pee-GAH-nahn sah sah-LAH-pee?)
...lockers?
...armaryo/mga locker? (ahr-MAH-ryoh/mgah LOHK-kehr?)
Is breakfast/supper included?
Apil na ba ang pamahaw/panihapon? (AH-peel nah bah ahng pah-MAH-haw/pah-nee-HAH-pohn?)
What time is breakfast/lunch/supper?
Unsa ang oras sa pamahaw/paniudto/panihapon? (oon-SAH ahng oh-RAHS sah pah-mah-BOW/pah-nee-ood-TOH/pah-nee-hah-POHN?)
Please clean my room.
Palihug limpyoha ang akong kwarto. (pah-LEE-hoog leem-PYOH-hah ahng OH-rahs sah pah-MAH-haw/pah-nee-OO-toh/pah-nee-hah-POHN?)
Can you wake me up at_____? ( e.g. ten o'clock AM)
Mahimo ba pukawon ko sa _____? (mah-HEE-moh bah poo-KAH-wohn koh sah____?)
I want to check out.
Gusto na ko mo-check-out. (GOOS-toh nah koh moh-CHECK-owt)
Who's knocking the door?
Kinsa nagtuktok sa pultahan? (KEEN-sah nahg-TOOK-tohk sah pool-tah-HAHN?)
Who's there?
Kinsa na? (keen-SAH nah?)
The toilet is not working.
Guba ang inidoro. (GOO-bah ahng ee-nee-DOH-roh)

Money

Money
Kwarta (KWAHR-tah)
Wallet
Pitaka (pee-TAH-kah)
How much is this/that?
Tag pila ni/na? (tahg PEE-lah nee/nah?)
How many?
Pila ka buok? (pee-LAH kah boo-OHK?)
I have no money.
Wala ko'y kwarta. (WAH-lah koi KWAHR-tah)
Do you have money?
Naa ka'y kwarta? (NAH-ah kai KWAHR-tah)
Thief!
Kawatan! (kah-WAH-tahn!)
I was robbed.
Natulisan ko. (nah-too-LEE-sahn koh)
I have ___ dollars/pesos.
Naa ko'y ___ dolyares/pesos. (NAH-ah koy_____doh-LYAH-rehs/PEH-sohs) Note: You can use "dollars" instead of "dolyares."
Give me my money.
Ambi ang akong kwarta. (AHM-bee ahng AH-kohng KWAHR-tah)
Where is my/your wallet?
Asa ang akong/imohang pitaka? (AH-sah ahng AH-kohng/ee-MOH-hahng pee-tah-KAH?)
That's expensive!
Mahala pud ana! (mah-HAH-lah pood ah-NAH!)
That's really cheap!
Barato kaayo na! (bah-rah-TOH kah-ah-YOH nah!)
Can you lower your price?
Mahimo ba i-ubos ang imohang presyo? (mah-HEE-moh bah ee-OO-bohs ahng ee-MOH-hahng preh-SYOH?)
I don't like this/that.
Dili ko ani/ana. (DEE-lee koh AH-nee/AH-nah)
I like this/that.
Ganahan ko ani/ana. (gah-NAH-hahn koh AH-nee/AH-nah)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.
Lamisa alang sa usa/duha ka tao, palihug. (lah-MEE-sah AH-lahng sah OO-sah/DOO-hah kah TAH-oh, pah-LEE-hoog)
Can I look at the menu, please?
Mahimo ba motanw-aw sa menu, palihug? (mah-HEE-moh bah moh-TAHN-waw sah MEH-noo, pah-LEE-hoog?)
Can I look in the kitchen?
Mahimo ba makakita ang kusina? (mah-HEE-moh bah mah-kah-KEE-tah ahng koo-SEE-nah)
Where's the bathroom/washroom?
Asa dapit ang banyo/hugasanan? (AH-sah DAH-peet ahng BAH-nyoh/hoo-gah-SAH-nahn?)
I'm a vegetarian.
Vegetarian ko. (veh-geh-TAH-ree ahn koh)
I don't eat pork.
Dili ko mokaon ug karneng baboy. (DEE-lee koh moh-KAH ohn oog KAHR-nehng BAH-boy)
I don't eat beef.
Dili ko mokaon ug karneng baka. (DEE-lee koh moh-KAH ohn oog KAHR-nehng BAH-kah)
I only eat kosher food.
Mokaon ra ko ug sud-an nga kosher. (moh-KAH ohn rah koh oog SOOD-ahn ngah KOH-sher)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
Mahimo ba gamay lang ang mantika, palihug? (mah-HEE-moh bah GAH-mai lahng ahng mahn-TEE-kah, pah-LEE-hoog?)
It's salty.
Parat ni. (PAH-raht nee)
It's so sweet.
Tam-is ni. (tahm-EES-nee)
It's so spicy.
Halang-ni. (hah-LAHNG-nee
à la carte
a la carte (ah lah KAHR-teh)
breakfast
pamahaw (pah-MAH-how)
lunch
paniudto (pah-NEE ood-toh)
snack (meal)
meryenda (meh-RYEH-dah)
supper
panihapon (pah-nee-HAH-pohn)
I want _____.
Gusto ko ug _____. (GOOS-to koh)
I want a dish called _____.
Gusto ko ug sud-an nga _____. (GOOS-toh koh oog sood-ahn nahn-gah_____)
chicken
manok (MAH-nohk)
beef
karne baka (KAHR-neh BAH-kah)
fish
isda (EES-dah)
ham
hamon (HAH-mohn)
food
pagkaon (pahg-KAH ohn)
drinks
panginom (pahn-GEE-nohm)
sausage
longganisa (local sausage) (lohng-GAH-nee-sah)
cheese
keso (keh-soh)
eggs
itlog (eet-LOG)
salad
ensalada (ehn-sah-LAH-dah)
corn
mais (MAH ees)
(fresh) vegetables
(preskong) utan ((PREHS-kohng) OO-tahn)
(fresh) fruit
(preskong) prutas (proo-TAS)
bread
pan (pahn)
fast-food
lutong daan (LOO-tohng DAH ahn)
toast
tost (tohst)
noodles
pansit (PAHN-seet)
rice
kan-on (KAHN ohn)/bugas (boo-GAHS, used for uncooked rice)
beans
munggos (MOONG-gohs)
raw
hilaw (HEE-law)
cooked
luto (LOO-toh)
fried
prito (PREE-toh)
fried chicken/fish/egg
pritong manok/isda/itlog (PREE-tohng MAH-nohk/EES-dah/EET-lohg)
grilled/roasted
inihaw (ee-NEE-haw)
boiled
nilaga (nee-LAH-gah)
salt
asin (ah-SEEN)
sugar
asukar (ah-SOO-kahr)
cooking oil
mantika (mahn-TEE-kah)
garlic
ahos (ah-HOHS)
onion
sibuyas (see-BOO-yahs)
black pepper
paminta (pah-MEEN-tah)
soy sauce
toyo(TOH-yoh)
butter
margarina (mahr-gah-REE-nah)
Can/May I have a glass of _____?
Naa moy usa ka baso na _____? (NAH ah moy OO-sah kah BAH-soh nah_____?)
Can/May I have a cup of _____?
Naa moy usa ka tasa na _____? (NAH ah moy OO-sah kah TAH-sah nah_____?)
Can/May I have a bottle of _____?
Naa moy usa ka botelya na _____? (NAH ah moy OO-sah kah boh-TEH-lyah nah____?)
coffee
kape (kah-FEH)
tea (drink)
tsaa (chah AH)
iced tea
iced tea (no direct translation)
chocolate
tsokolate (choh-koh-LAH-teh)
ice
yelo (YEH-loh)
juice
duga (DOO-gah)
water
tubig (TOO-beeg)
beer
serbesa(sehr-BEH-sah)
red/white wine
puwa/maputi bino (POO-wah/mah-POO-tee BEE-noh)
dessert
siragana (see-rah-GAH-nah)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
Ekskiyus ko, witer? (EHKS-kyoos koh, WEE-tehr?)
I'm finished/done.
Humana na ko ug kaon.
It was delicious.
Lami ang pagkaon (LAH-mee ahng pahg-KAH ohn)
Please clear the plates.
Palihug kuhai ang mga plato. (pah-LEE-hoog koo-HAH-ee ahng mgah PLAH-toh)
Can I get the bill, please.
Mokuha ko ug bill, palihug. (moh-KOO-hah koh oog beel, pah-LEE-hoog)

Shopping

I need to buy...
Kinahanglan ko nga mopalit og.... (kee-nah-HAHN-glahn koh ngah moh-PAH-leet ohg....)
This shop sells shoes?
Nagbaligya kining tindahana og mga sapatos? (nahg-BAH-lee-gyah KEE-neeng teen-dah-HAH-nah ohg mgah sah-PAH-tohs?)
I would like to pay now.
Gusto ko mobayad karon. (GOOS-toh koh moh-BAH-yahd KAH-rohn)

Driving

Most of the Philippine road signs are in English.

I want to rent a car.
Gusto ko moabang ug awto. (GOOS-toh koh moh AH-bahng oog OW-toh)
Can I get insurance?
Makuha ba nako ang peneguro? (mah-KOO-hah bah NAH-koh ahng peh-neh-GOO-roh?)
no parking
ginadili pagparada (gee-nah-DEE-lee pahg-pah-RAH-dah)
gas/petrol station
gasolinahan (gah-soh-lee-NAH-hahn)
gas/petrol
gasolina (gah-soh-LEE-nah)
diesel
diesel (DEE-sehl)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.
Wala man ko gibuhat nga dautan. (WAH-lah mahn koh gee-BOO-haht ngah dah-OO-tahn)
It was a misunderstanding.
Wala to nagkasinabot. (WAH-lah toh nahg-kah-SEE-nah-boht)
Where are you taking me?
Asa ko dad-on? (AH-sah koh DAD-ohn?)
Am I under arrest?
Dakpan na ba ko? (DAHK-pahn nah bah koh?)
Where's the warrant?
Asa ang warrant? (AH-sah ahng WAH-rrahnt?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.
Ako ang usa ka Amerikano/Australyano/Britano/Kanadyano. (AH-koh ahng OO-sah kah ah-meh-REE-kah-noh/ah oos-trah-LYAH-noh/bree-TAH-noh/kah-nah-DYAH-noh)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
Gusto ko makaistorya sa Amerikano/Australyano/Britano/Kanadyano embahada/konsulado. (GOOS-toh koh mah-kah ees-TOH-ryah sah ah-meh-REE-kah-noh/ah oos-trah-LYAH-noh/bree-TAH-noh/kah-nah-DYAH-noh ehm-bah-HAH-dah/kohn-soo-LAH-toh)
I want to talk to a lawyer.
Gusto ko makaistorya sa abogado. (GOOS-toh koh mah-kah EES-toh-ryah sah ah-BOH-gah-doh)
Can I just pay a fine now?
Mahimo mobayad na lang ko ug multa/silpi? (mah-HEE-moh moh-BAH-yahd nah lahng koh oog MOOL-tah/SEEL-pee?)
Law
Bala-od (bah-LAH ohd)
Judge
Huwes (wehs)
Lawyer
Abogado (ah-BOH-gah-doh)
Court
Korte (KOHR-teh)
Jail
Prisohan (pree-SOH-hahn)
Cop
Pulis (POO-lees)
This Cebuano phrasebook is a usable article. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.