Direction phrasebook · 29 entries

Asking for Directions in Bisaya: A Tourist's Phrasebook

Google Maps fails you in three places: rural Bohol, the back-streets of Cebu, and anywhere on Siargao after 9 PM. When that happens, you need to ask a real person. Here's how to do it in Bisaya — without the awkward charades.

01 / 05

Core Direction Words

Seven words handle 90% of all Bisaya direction-giving. Memorize these and you can interpret any local's reply.

  • Tuo

    TOO-oh

    Right

    Tuo sa eskina = right at the corner.

  • Wala

    WAH-lah

    Left

    Wala lang gud, dayon... = Just left, then...

  • Diretso

    dee-REHT-soh

    Straight

    Diretso lang = just straight ahead.

  • Atras

    AHT-rahs

    Back / behind

    Atras lang og gamay = back up a little.

  • Anhi

    AHN-hee

    (to) come here

    Anhi dinhi = come here.

  • Adto

    AHD-toh

    (to) go there

    Adto didto = go there (far).

  • Latas / Lapas

    LAH-tahs / LAH-pahs

    Cross over / past

    Latas sa karsada = cross the road.

02 / 05

Asking Where Things Are

The magic word is asa (where). Pair it with any place noun and you can find your way anywhere in the Visayas.

  • Asa ang CR?

    AH-sah ahng SEE-AHR

    Where's the bathroom?

    CR = comfort room. Universal Filipino term.

  • Asa ang dalan padulong sa SM?

    AH-sah ahng DAH-lahn pah-DOO-lohng sah ehs-EHM

    Where's the road to SM?

    Dalan = road. Padulong = going to.

  • Asa ang sakayan padulong sa Bohol?

    —

    Where's the boat to Bohol?

    Sakayan = transport vehicle/boat.

  • Asa ang pinakaduol nga ATM?

    AH-sah ahng pee-nah-kah-DOO-ohl ngah

    Where's the nearest ATM?

    Pinakaduol = nearest. Pinaka- prefix = most.

  • Asa ang habal-habal terminal?

    —

    Where's the motorcycle taxi stand?

    Habal-habal = motorcycle taxi (rural). Common in Bohol, Siquijor, Camotes.

03 / 05

Position and Distance Vocabulary

The reply words. When you ask asa, locals will use these. Learn them so you can decode the answer.

  • Duol

    DOO-ohl

    near

    Duol ra = it's just near.

  • Layo

    LAH-yoh

    far

    Layo pa = still far.

  • Tapad

    TAH-pahd

    beside

    Tapad sa simbahan = beside the church.

  • Atubangan

    ah-too-BAH-ngahn

    in front of

    Atubangan sa eskwelahan = in front of the school.

  • Likod

    LEE-kohd

    behind

    Likod sa tindahan = behind the store.

  • Sulod / Gawas

    SOO-lohd / GAH-wahs

    inside / outside

    Naa sa sulod = it's inside.

  • Eskina / Kanto

    ehs-KEE-nah / KAHN-toh

    corner

    Tuo sa eskina = right at the corner.

04 / 05

What Locals Will Actually Say

Practice decoding the typical reply patterns. These are the answers you'll get in the wild.

  • Diretso lang, dayon tuo sa eskina.

    —

    Just go straight, then right at the corner.

    Most common direction format.

  • Latas sa karsada, naa ra sa wala.

    —

    Cross the road, it's just on the left.

    Sa wala = on the left.

  • Layo pa, sakay og jeep.

    —

    Still far, take a jeep.

    Sakay = ride.

  • Duol ra, mga 5 minutos lakaw.

    —

    It's near, about 5 minutes' walk.

    Mga = approximately. Lakaw = walk.

  • Lagpas sa simbahan, dayon tapad sa tindahan.

    —

    Past the church, then beside the store.

    Lagpas = past, beyond.

Lost in Cebu

  1. You: Manang, asa ang dalan padulong sa Carbon Market?

    Ma'am, where's the road to Carbon Market?

  2. Manang: Diretso lang gud, hangtod sa eskina sa simbahan. Dayon, tuo ka.

    Just go straight to the church corner. Then turn right.

  3. You: Layo pa ba?

    Is it still far?

  4. Manang: Duol ra, mga 5 minutos. Lakaw ra ka, sayon ra.

    Just near, about 5 minutes. Just walk, easy.

05 / 05

Public Transport Phrases

What to say to jeepney drivers, bus conductors, and habal-habal riders. Five phrases that handle every transit interaction.

  • Asa ko mosakay padulong sa [place]?

    AH-sah koh moh-sah-KAI

    Where do I board going to [place]?

    Mosakay = (will) board / ride.

  • Pila ang plete?

    —

    How much is the fare?

    Plete = fare.

  • Mokuyog ba ni padulong sa terminal?

    moh-KOO-yohg bah nee

    Does this go to the terminal?

    Mokuyog = pass through, head toward.

  • Para diri, manong!

    PAH-rah DEE-ree, mah-NOHNG

    Stop here, sir!

    Para = stop. Always with manong/manang to drivers.

  • Pwede ba ihatud ko?

    PWEH-deh bah ee-HAH-tood koh

    Can you drop me off?

    Ihatud = drop off, take to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the person speaks too fast?

Say Hinay-hinay lang, palihog. — Slowly, please. Cebuanos will gladly slow down.

Is it safe to ask strangers for directions?

Generally, yes — Cebuanos are famously helpful. Approach women, families, or shop owners first.

What's asa vs diin?

Asa is more common in everyday Cebuano. Diin is heard in Boholano and southern Cebuano. Both mean where.

How do I say I'm lost?

Nawala ko. — I'm lost. Or Wala ko kahibalo asa ko. — I don't know where I am.

What's habal-habal?

A motorcycle taxi — usually one or two passengers, common in rural Visayas. Negotiate fare first.

How do I say are we there yet?

Naa na ba ta? — Are we there? Or Layo pa ba? — Still far?

What's the polite way to thank someone after directions?

Salamat kaayo, Manang/Manong. — Thank you very much, ma'am/sir. Add Maayong adlaw! for warmth.

Find your way — in their language

Five direction words and one phrase (Asa ang...?) will save you hours of wandering in any Visayan city.

Travel phrasebook →Counting & money →100 sentences →Word of the day →Practice quiz →

Tuo lang sa eskina, higala. Padayon.

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