Cebuano Phrases

The Cebuano phrases are helpful because they are used daily. Below we picked expressions that a new learner will find useful. We included the audio as well. This is a better way to learning. Learn only what you need. We start with greetings and introduction.

Hi: hi

What is your name?: unsa imu pangan?

Nice to meet you: maaung pakigkita nimu

How are you?: musta man ka?

I'm good, thanks: okay rako, salamat

And you?: ikaw?

Language and Age Phrases

More questions about language and age:

Do you speak (English/Cebuano)?: makastorya ka ug (Iningles/ cebuano)?

Does she speak Chinese?: makastorya siya ug Chinese?

A little bit: ginagmay lang

How old are you?: pila na imu edad?

I'm 33 years old: trayntay tres na ako edad

It was nice talking to you: nindot kaau makigstorya nimu

If you don't understand something, this will be your secret weapon:

What do you mean?: Unsay imu buot pasabot?

I don't understand: Wa ko kasabot

I don't know: Wa ko kahibaw

Sorry: pasaylo

What is that called in Cebuano?: Unsay tawag ana sa cebuano?

What does that word mean in English?: Unsay pasabot ana nga sinultian sa Iningles?

More personal information about origins and profession:

Where are you from?: Asa man ka gikan?

I'm from the U.S: Gikan ko sa U.S

I'm American: Americano ko

Where do you live?: Asa ka nagpuyo?

I live in the U.S: Nagpuyo ko sa U.S

What do you do for a living?: Unsa man imu panginabuhi?

I'm a student: Estudyante ko

Offering or asking for help and giving directions:

Can I help you?: pwede ko makatabang ko nimu?

Can you help me?: makatabang ka nako?

Where is the airport?: asa man ang paluparan?

Go straight: diretso lang

Then: unya

Turn left: liko sa wa

Turn right: liko sa tuo

Holiday Wishes Phrases

Good wishes in Cebuano in holidays and occasions:

Happy birthday: malipayong kaadlawan

Happy new year: Malipayong bag-ong tuig

Merry Christmas: Malipayong pasko

Good luck: Maayong swerte

Congratulations: Kongrats

Cebuano expressions commonly used when traveling or buying:

I have a reservation: naa koy reserba

Do you have rooms available?: naa pa may bakante nga kwarto?

I would like a non-smoking room: Ganahan ko ug kwarto nga bawal manigarilyo

How much it costs per night?: Pilay bayad kada gabi-e

Waiter: weter

How much is this?: tagpila man ni?

What is this?: Unsa ni?

Survival phrases considered to be important in emergencies:

Are you okay?: okay raka?

I need a doctor: nanginahanglan ko ug duktor

Help: tabang

Call the ambulance: tawagi ang ambulansya

Call the police: tawagi ang pulis

I am sick: gihilantan ko

These Cebuano phrases can be used in a variety of conversations. If you have already visited our Cebuano Vocabulary and Cebuano Grammar, you might want to visit our Cebuano Flashcards to practice what you learned.