White beaches, cerulean waves, tasty delicacies, and heart-warming Filipino hospitality. One area that has tourists flocking into the country is located south, in the Visayan and Mindanao regions. There you’ll find some of the most spectacular marine sanctuaries like Nalusuan Island, pristine beaches like Boracay and Panglao, and amazing hiking trails, such as Mount Apo and Mount Tres Marias.

If you plan on visiting the south in the future, it’s about time that you pick up some Cebuano words or Bisaya phrases for your trip! Bisaya is one of the eight major languages in the Philippines and is prevalent in the islands of Visayas and some parts of Mindanao.

Travel like a local and enjoy the local scene with these common & basic Bisaya words and phrases to help you explore and mingle effortlessly among locals.

The Bisaya, or Visayan languages, are a group of related languages spoken in the central and southern regions of the Philippines, specifically in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Cebuano, Hiligaynon (also known as Ilonggo), and Waray-Waray are the three largest and most widely spoken languages in the Visayan group.

While most Filipinos talk in Tagalog and even English for daily life, the Bisaya language is still very crucial to the culture, especially within the Visayan regions. The Bisaya language is still used in earlier education and regional media.

For tourists, learning the basic phrases in Bisaya language will increase the experience in a very meaningful way. If you know, at least, several of the Bisaya language daily phrases, you’ll build connections with the locals easily. It also shows respect, interest, and the locals will really appreciate it.

It will also be useful when you’re exploring the country deeper. When you enter some rural areas, it’s possible that the people don’t speak English nor Tagalog. Most of them will only understand Bisaya. Thus, knowing some basic Bisaya languages to ask for directions, negotiate in markets, or order food can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

So, are you ready to enhance your knowledge about Bisaya language? We divided your learning session into several parts!

When traveling around Cebu, whether you’re exploring the Magellan Shrine, strolling through Colon Street, or tasting local dishes, knowing a few Cebuano (Bisaya) phrases can help you connect with the locals. Cebuanos are known for being warm and friendly, and they’ll truly appreciate your effort to speak even a little of their language.

Make a good first impression and learn how to politely greet and introduce yourself to a local with these basic Cebuano phrases:

Read 10 Cebu City Tourist Spots You Need to See

There are several iconic Visayan dishes that you should definitely try on your visit such as kinilaw, chicken inasal, and lechon! Get a load of the local cuisine and put these phrases to good use!

Read 10 Best Restaurants in Cebu City

The islands of Visayas are dotted with pristine white beaches, historic sites, and plenty of nature and marine life activities. From the country’s oldest street, Colon street, in Cebu to the picturesque Panglao Island and Bohol, this is the place to be if you’re looking for an adventure. Check out these phrases to help you travel through the region.

Read 10 Best Things to Do in Cebu City

Sure, every language will have its own unique etiquettes, like certain gestures, intonation, volume, and more. Before you actually practice your Bisaya language directly with the locals, learn some common etiquettes here:

This is more common. To show your agreement, you can nod your head or raise your eyebrows. It’s a friendly gesture in a daily conversation.

Well, this one is quite unique. If you want to politely decline something, you can do a subtle scrunch or flinch your nose. You can add an extra: shaking your head. It’s still polite for a regular convo.

Related to “saying no”, people here usually avoid saying “no” directly. Instead, say something softer like ambot lang (I’m not sure) or basi unya (maybe later). This indirect way is considered more polite.

Rather than using fingers to point, people often purse their lips slightly in the direction of the person or thing they’re referring to. It really is a polite way, since it isn't too direct.

When asking for something, people often use a softer tone and add words like unta (hopefully) or basi pwede (maybe it’s possible) to make the request more polite.

Yup, there’s some local rules and etiquettes regarding speaking to the elderly. In terms of language, it's polite to use Manong (for older males) and Manang (for older females) when addressing older people, especially in more traditional settings.

Make polite eye contact to the elderly, which is not too long, not starring, and not directly.

As common etiquettes, please talk in a soft voice, not too loud and not too soft either. Do smile at the locals and laugh along in a polite way.

Visiting Bisaya-speaking regions in the Philippines, like Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Leyte, and parts of Mindanao, can be so much fun, especially if you’re familiar with some cultural nuances. Here are a few cultural tips to make your visit more enjoyable and respectful:

Greet people with a warm smile and use polite expressions like Maayong buntag (Good morning) or Maayong hapon (Good afternoon). Have a full smile on your mouth. Just be as happy as the sun to everyone you meet!

Bisaya regions have unique local dishes like lechon (roast pig) in Cebu, binignit (a sweet dessert made of coconut milk and root vegetables), and puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves). Trying these dishes, and complimenting them, shows appreciation for the culture.

Many Bisaya speakers love humor and playful teasing, often called lambing. What you should do as a good tourist is appreciate their humor by laughing along. Even better, you can playfully throw in some jokes too!

There’s a culture and tradition in Filipino: pasalubong. It’s an act of giving a small gift or souvenir during your arrival to a certain destination, or to bring back home to your friends and families.

Now, if you form a friendship with the locals, please consider giving them the pasalubong they deserve. It can be a nice farewell gift and a lovely way to show appreciation for their hospitality during your trip in the Philippines.

Well, now that you know the guide of Bisaya words and phrases, you will definitely have a good time–twice better! Have you planned your holiday in the Philippines with Traveloka? Get the best rate for everything you need, from your flights, hotels, and attraction tickets!