50 Common Bisaya Phrases Every Filipino Should Know
Bisaya to Tagalog Guide for Travel, Daily Conversations, and Iligan City Visitors
Language is one of the fastest ways to connect with people. In Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, and many parts of Mindanao and the Visayas, knowing even a few Bisaya phrases can make daily conversations warmer, easier, and more natural.
This GoIligan Micro-Guide gives you 50 useful Bisaya phrases with Tagalog meanings. These are simple, everyday expressions you may hear in markets, terminals, cafés, schools, offices, restaurants, neighborhoods, and travel spots around Northern Mindanao.
Whether you are visiting Iligan City, talking to Bisaya-speaking friends, doing business in Mindanao, or simply learning more about Filipino culture, this guide is a practical starting point.
Why Learn Basic Bisaya Phrases?
Bisaya, also commonly called Cebuano in many learning references, is widely spoken across the Visayas and Mindanao. In Iligan City and nearby areas, it is part of daily life.
Learning basic Bisaya helps you:
- Talk more naturally with locals
- Ask for directions when traveling
- Buy food or items more easily
- Show respect for local culture
- Understand everyday conversations better
- Feel more confident when visiting Bisaya-speaking communities
You do not need to be fluent right away. Even simple words like salamat, palihog, and amping can already make a good impression.
50 Common Bisaya Phrases with Tagalog Meaning
1–10: Greetings and Everyday Basics
These are the first Bisaya phrases beginners should learn. You can use them when greeting people, saying thank you, apologizing, or asking politely.
| Bisaya Phrase | Tagalog Meaning | English Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Maayong buntag | Magandang umaga | Good morning |
| Maayong hapon | Magandang hapon | Good afternoon |
| Maayong gabii | Magandang gabi | Good evening |
| Kumusta ka? | Kumusta ka? | How are you? |
| Salamat | Salamat | Thank you |
| Daghang salamat | Maraming salamat | Thank you very much |
| Walay sapayan | Walang anuman | You’re welcome |
| Pasayloa ko | Patawad / Pasensya | Sorry / Forgive me |
| Palihog | Pakiusap / Paki | Please |
| Oo / Dili | Oo / Hindi | Yes / No |
Example:
Bisaya: Maayong buntag! Kumusta ka?
Tagalog: Magandang umaga! Kumusta ka?
11–20: Getting to Know Someone
Use these phrases when meeting someone new, asking where they are from, or starting a simple conversation.
| Bisaya Phrase | Tagalog Meaning | English Guide |
| Unsa imong ngalan? | Ano ang pangalan mo? | What is your name? |
| Taga-asa ka? | Taga-saan ka? | Where are you from? |
| Asa ka padulong? | Saan ka papunta? | Where are you going? |
| Asa dapit ni? | Saan banda ito? | Where exactly is this? |
| Unsa ni? | Ano ito? | What is this? |
| Pila ni? | Magkano ito? | How much is this? |
| Ganahan ko ani | Gusto ko ito | I like this |
| Dili ko ganahan | Hindi ko gusto | I do not like it |
| Naa kay uban? | May kasama ka ba? | Are you with someone? |
| Hulat lang | Sandali lang | Wait a moment |
Local use:
If you are buying food, pasalubong, or small items in Iligan, “Pila ni?” is one of the most useful phrases to remember.
21–30: Travel, Directions, and Getting Around
These phrases are helpful when riding jeepneys, going to terminals, asking for directions, or finding basic facilities.
| Bisaya Phrase | Tagalog Meaning | English Guide |
| Asa ang CR? | Nasaan ang CR? | Where is the restroom? |
| Tabangi ko beh | Tulungan mo ako | Please help me |
| Na-unsa ka? | Anong nangyari sa’yo? | What happened to you? |
| Pwede ko mokuyog? | Pwede ba akong sumama? | Can I come along? |
| Asa ang terminal? | Saan ang terminal? | Where is the terminal? |
| Di ko kabalo | Hindi ko alam | I do not know |
| Kabalo ka? | Alam mo ba? | Do you know? |
| Ari diri | Dito | Come here / Here |
| Adto didto | Doon | Go there / There |
| Liko sa wala / tuo | Kaliwa / kanan | Turn left / right |
Example:
Bisaya: Asa ang terminal?
Tagalog: Saan ang terminal?
This is useful if you are commuting around Iligan City, going to nearby towns, or asking where to ride a jeepney, bus, or van.
31–40: Feelings and Reactions
These phrases help you express what you feel, whether you are tired, hungry, thirsty, happy, or worried.
| Bisaya Phrase | Tagalog Meaning | English Guide |
| Kapoy kaayo | Sobrang pagod | Very tired |
| Gigutom ko | Gutom ako | I am hungry |
| Giuhaw ko | Uhaw ako | I am thirsty |
| Nindot! | Ang ganda! / Ang saya! | Nice! / Beautiful! |
| Lingaw kaayo | Ang saya sobra | Very fun |
| Makagawas ko? | Pwede ba akong lumabas? | Can I go out? |
| Ayaw kabalaka | Huwag mag-alala | Do not worry |
| Karon ra ko | Ngayon lang ako | Only now |
| Gihulat tika | Hinihintay kita | I waited for you |
| Kalma lang | Kalma lang | Stay calm |
Local use:
After visiting waterfalls, springs, cafés, or night spots in Iligan, you might hear someone say “Lingaw kaayo!” meaning they really enjoyed the experience.
41–50: Super Useful Daily Bisaya Phrases
These are practical phrases for errands, food trips, travel, and casual conversations.
| Bisaya Phrase | Tagalog Meaning | English Guide |
| Unsa imong gusto? | Ano ang gusto mo? | What do you want? |
| Unsay oras? | Anong oras na? | What time is it? |
| Pwede ko mosulay? | Pwede ko bang subukan? | Can I try? |
| Tagai ko ana | Bigyan mo ako niyan | Give me that |
| Dali-a beh | Bilisan mo naman | Please hurry |
| Hinay-hinay lang | Dahan-dahan lang | Slowly / Take it easy |
| Mag-unsa ta? | Anong gagawin natin? | What are we going to do? |
| Murag lisod | Mukhang mahirap | Seems difficult |
| Sige, larga ta | Sige, alis na tayo | Okay, let’s go |
| Amping! | Ingat! | Take care |
Best phrase to remember:
Amping is one of the warmest Bisaya words. It means ingat or take care, and it is commonly used when saying goodbye.
Quick Bisaya Cheat Sheet for Travelers
Here are the most useful Bisaya phrases to memorize first:
| Situation | Bisaya | Tagalog |
| Saying thank you | Salamat | Salamat |
| Asking the price | Pila ni? | Magkano ito? |
| Asking where something is | Asa ni? | Nasaan ito? |
| Asking for help | Tabangi ko | Tulungan mo ako |
| Saying sorry | Pasayloa ko | Pasensya / Patawad |
| Saying take care | Amping | Ingat |
| Saying please | Palihog | Pakiusap / Paki |
| Saying you do not know | Di ko kabalo | Hindi ko alam |
Common Bisaya Words You Will Hear Often
Aside from full phrases, these Bisaya words are useful for beginners:
| Bisaya Word | Tagalog Meaning |
| Asa | Saan |
| Unsa | Ano |
| Kinsa | Sino |
| Kanus-a | Kailan |
| Ngano | Bakit |
| Pila | Magkano / Ilan |
| Diri | Dito |
| Didto | Doon |
| Karon | Ngayon |
| Ugma | Bukas |
| Gahapon | Kahapon |
| Kaayo | Sobra / Very |
| Gamay | Maliit / Kaunti |
| Dako | Malaki |
| Init | Mainit |
| Bugnaw | Malamig |
Simple Bisaya Conversation Example
Here is a short beginner-friendly Bisaya conversation with Tagalog meaning.
Person A: Maayong buntag! Kumusta ka?
Tagalog: Magandang umaga! Kumusta ka?
Person B: Maayo ra. Ikaw?
Tagalog: Mabuti naman. Ikaw?
Person A: Maayo pud. Asa ka padulong?
Tagalog: Mabuti rin. Saan ka papunta?
Person B: Padulong ko sa terminal.
Tagalog: Papunta ako sa terminal.
Person A: Sige, amping!
Tagalog: Sige, ingat!
Bisaya Phrases for Iligan City Visitors
If you are visiting Iligan City, these phrases are especially helpful:
| Use Case | Bisaya Phrase | Tagalog Meaning |
| Asking for directions | Asa dapit ni? | Saan banda ito? |
| Asking for the terminal | Asa ang terminal? | Saan ang terminal? |
| Buying food | Pila ni? | Magkano ito? |
| Asking for water | Naa moy tubig? | May tubig ba kayo? |
| Saying the place is beautiful | Nindot kaayo diri | Ang ganda dito |
| Saying you are tired | Kapoy kaayo | Sobrang pagod |
| Saying thank you | Daghang salamat | Maraming salamat |
| Saying goodbye | Amping | Ingat |
These are useful when going around local markets, food spots, terminals, cafés, hotels, and tourist destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bisaya Phrases
Is Bisaya the same as Cebuano?
In everyday conversation, many people use Bisaya to refer to the language commonly spoken in Cebu, Bohol, parts of Leyte, Negros Oriental, Mindanao, and other Bisaya-speaking areas. In language learning references, it is often called Cebuano. Local usage may vary depending on the city or province.
Is Bisaya spoken in Iligan City?
Yes. Bisaya is widely spoken in Iligan City and nearby areas in Northern Mindanao. You may also hear Tagalog, English, Maranao, Higaonon, and other local languages depending on the community and setting.
What is the easiest Bisaya phrase to learn?
Start with salamat for thank you, palihog for please, pila ni? for how much is this, and amping for take care.
How do you say “thank you very much” in Bisaya?
You can say Daghang salamat, which means maraming salamat in Tagalog.
How do you say “where are you going?” in Bisaya?
You can say Asa ka padulong? This means saan ka papunta? in Tagalog.
How do you say “I do not know” in Bisaya?
You can say Di ko kabalo, which means hindi ko alam in Tagalog.
What is “amping” in Tagalog?
Amping means ingat in Tagalog. It is commonly used when saying goodbye or wishing someone well.
Final Takeaway
Learning Bisaya does not have to be complicated. Start with the phrases you can use every day: greetings, thank you, asking for directions, asking prices, and saying goodbye.
If you are traveling around Iligan City or anywhere in Northern Mindanao, these 50 Bisaya phrases can help you connect better with locals, move around with more confidence, and understand everyday conversations more easily.
Keep this guide handy, practice a few phrases at a time, and use them whenever you can.
Daghang salamat, and amping!
Editorial Note
Bisaya expressions may vary by city, province, and local usage. This guide focuses on practical everyday phrases commonly heard in Iligan City, Northern Mindanao, and nearby Bisaya-speaking communities. Meanings are simplified for Tagalog speakers and beginner learners.
