Greetings
Maayong buntag / hapon / gabii
ma-AH-yong BOON-tag / HA-pon / ga-BEE-ee
Good morning / afternoon / evening, in Cebuano. Not the Tagalog 'magandang umaga' — using Tagalog greetings here marks you as someone who learned the wrong language.
Salamat kaayo
sa-LA-mat ka-AH-yo
Thank you very much. 'Salamat' alone is fine; 'kaayo' means very. This is Cebuano and it is what people actually say.
Kumusta ka?
koo-MOOS-ta ka
How are you? Shared with Tagalog. 'Maayo ra' — I'm fine — is the Cebuano reply.
Daily life
Pila ni?
PEE-la nee
How much is this? The Cebuano form. If you say the Tagalog 'magkano', you will be understood and immediately identified as coming from Manila.
Asa ang CR?
AH-sa ang see-ar
Where is the comfort room? 'CR' is what everyone in the Philippines calls a bathroom; 'asa' is the Cebuano where.
Barangay
bah-rang-GUY
The smallest administrative unit. You will need barangay clearance or a certificate of residency for several pieces of paperwork, and which barangay you live in matters more here than newcomers expect.
Food
Lami kaayo
LA-mee ka-AH-yo
Very delicious. Cebuano for what Tagalog calls 'masarap'. Say it about lechon in Cebu and you have made a friend.
Social
Palihug
pa-LEE-hoog
Please. The Cebuano form, and the one that softens any request. Worth learning in the first week.
Bai / Dong / Day
bye / dong / dye
Mate / young man / young woman. 'Bai' is the warm all-purpose Cebuano address between equals; 'Dong' and 'Day' are used for someone younger.
Sige
SEE-geh
OK / go ahead / sure. Shared across Philippine languages and used constantly in every register.
Emergency
Tabang!
TAH-bang
Help! The Cebuano word. The nationwide emergency number is 911.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.