Travel phrasebook · 27 phrases

Bisaya for Travelers: A Real Phrasebook for Cebu, Bohol, Davao, and Siargao

You can survive Visayas travel in English. But the moment you try Bisaya at a habal-habal stand, the price drops, the smile widens, and the driver gives you the local-not-tourist route. This is the phrasebook that makes that happen.

01 / 05

Arrival — At the Airport and First Hours

The five phrases that get you from baggage claim to your hotel. None require fluency — all earn a friendlier face from locals.

  • Maayong buntag, ma'am / sir.

    mah-AH-yohng boon-TAHG

    Good morning, ma'am / sir.

    Open every conversation with this. Universal warmth.

  • Asa ang sakayan padulong sa Mactan?

    AH-sah ahng sah-KAH-yahn pah-DOO-lohng sah mahk-TAHN

    Where's the boat / taxi to Mactan?

    Asa = where. Sakayan = transport (boat/jeep).

  • Pila ang plete?

    PEE-lah ahng PLEH-teh

    How much is the fare?

    Universal transport question.

  • Pwede ba mag-Grab?

    PWEH-deh bah mahg-grab

    Can I get a Grab (rideshare)?

    Grab is the dominant rideshare in PH cities.

  • Naa ba'y ATM diri?

    NAH-ah bai ATM DEE-ree

    Is there an ATM here?

    Naa = there is. Diri = here.

02 / 05

Getting Around — Jeepneys, Habal-Habal, Tricycles

Public transport vocabulary for the Visayas. These six phrases handle every jeepney ride, motorcycle taxi, and tricycle in the region.

  • Para!

    PAH-rah

    Stop! (in a jeepney)

    Universal jeepney call. Tap a coin or say it loud.

  • Asa ang terminal?

    AH-sah ahng TEHR-mee-nahl

    Where's the terminal?

    For long-distance buses or boats.

  • Layo pa ba?

    LAH-yoh pah bah

    Is it still far?

    Asked in transit. Polite way to track distance.

  • Lugar lang.

    LOO-gahr lahng

    Just here, please.

    Said to drivers when you want to be dropped off.

  • Tuo / Wala / Diretso

    TOO-oh / WAH-lah / dee-REHT-soh

    Right / Left / Straight

    The three core direction words.

  • Pila padulong sa [destination]?

    PEE-lah pah-DOO-lohng

    How much going to [destination]?

    For habal-habal motorcycle taxis.

Habal-habal in Bohol

  1. You: Pila padulong sa Loboc, manong?

    How much going to Loboc, sir?

  2. Driver: Singkwenta lang.

    Just fifty.

  3. You: Sige. Hinay-hinay lang, palihog.

    Okay. Slowly, please.

03 / 05

At the Market and Karinderya

Open-air markets and small eateries (karinderyas) are where Bisaya pays for itself. Six phrases unlock everything from haggling to ordering humba.

  • Pila ni?

    PEE-lah nee

    How much is this?

    Universal price question.

  • Tagpila ang kilo?

    tahg-PEE-lah ahng KEE-loh

    How much per kilo?

    For weighed goods.

  • Pwede ba ma-discount?

    PWEH-deh bah mah-discount

    Can it be discounted?

    The polite haggle. Smile while saying it.

  • Walay sili, palihog.

    wah-LAI SEE-lee

    No chili, please.

    If you can't handle Cebuano spice levels.

  • Tubig, palihog.

    TOO-beeg, pah-LEE-hohg

    Water, please.

    Always with palihog.

  • Pa-bayad.

    pah-BAH-yahd

    I'd like the bill.

    Said to the karinderya owner. Pa- prefix = please-do.

04 / 05

Regional Tips — Cebu, Bohol, Davao, Siargao

Bisaya is mutually intelligible across the Visayas and northern Mindanao, but each region has its own flavor. These are the words that earn smiles in each one.

  • Sutukil / Lechon kawali / Maayong pagduaw sa Sugbo

    soo-TOO-keel / leh-CHOHN KAH-wah-lee

    Cebu — three-style seafood / pork belly / Welcome to Cebu (literary)

    Saying Sutukil out loud at a seafood place is a small badge of cultural literacy.

  • Loboc / Panglao / Anda / maumag

    loh-BOHK / pahng-LOW / ahn-DAH / mah-OO-mahg

    Bohol — Loboc River / Panglao Island / Anda / tarsier

    Bohol speakers slow down and use more polite particles. Use palihog liberally.

  • Eden / Samal / Mt. Apo / Lami ba ang durian?

    EH-dehn / SAH-mahl / mownt AH-poh

    Davao — Eden Park / Samal Island / Mt. Apo / Is durian tasty for you?

    Davao Cebuano absorbs Tagalog and Bagobo / Maranao words. Bisaya works city-wide.

  • Cloud 9 / General Luna / hayahay

    klowd nai-n / heh-neh-RAHL LOO-nah / HAH-yah-HAI

    Siargao — Cloud 9 surf break / General Luna / chill mood

    Hayahay is the official Siargao mood. Even saying salamat in Bisaya earns warmth.

05 / 05

Emergency and Practical

The phrases you hope you never need. Memorize them anyway.

  • Tabang!

    TAH-bahng

    Help!

    Universal emergency call.

  • Tawag sa pulis.

    TAH-wahg sah POO-lees

    Call the police.

    Pulis = police.

  • Naa ko'y sakit.

    NAH-ah koy SAH-keet

    I'm sick.

    Sakit = pain / sickness.

  • Asa ang hospital?

    AH-sah ahng hohs-pee-TAHL

    Where's the hospital?

    Universal English-Cebuano hybrid.

  • Nawala akong pasaporte.

    nah-wah-LAH ah-KOHNG pah-sah-POHR-teh

    I lost my passport.

    Pasaporte = passport. Show this to any tourist police.

  • Tabangi ko, palihog.

    tah-BAHNG-ee koh, pah-LEE-hohg

    Please help me.

    Tabangi = help-me imperative. Always with palihog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bisaya the same in Cebu, Bohol, and Davao?

Mutually intelligible, but accents and vocabulary shift. Boholano has musical intonation; Davao Cebuano absorbs Tagalog and indigenous words. Locals will understand Cebu Cebuano everywhere.

Do I need Bisaya to travel in the Visayas?

You can manage in English. But ten phrases of Bisaya will earn you better prices, friendlier service, and stories.

How do I ask for a price down politely?

Pwede ba ma-discount? or Tagaan ko nimo'g singkwenta discount? (Will you give me 50 off?). Smile and don't push too hard.

Is po used in Bisaya?

Not natively — it's Tagalog. Cebuanos respect through titles (Tito, Tita, Manong, Manang) and tone.

What's a habal-habal?

A motorcycle taxi — common in rural Visayas and Mindanao. Negotiate the fare before riding.

Is tipping expected in Cebu?

Not strictly. Round up the fare or leave 10% if service was great.

What should I never say to a Cebuano vendor?

Avoid haggling aggressively or comparing to Manila prices. Cebuanos respond to kindness, not pressure.

Print this — pack Bisaya, travel better

Even ten phrases will change your trip. Locals know who's trying.

Asking directions →Counting & money →Food vocabulary →100 sentences →Practice quiz →

Maayong pagduaw, higala. Padayon — enjoy the islands.

Talk Bisaya — the language of 22 million Filipinos, the language of your loved ones.