Visayan Word Comparison
The same word, across five Visayan languages.
Side-by-side translations in Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Kinaray-a, and Tausug. Search any English or Visayan term, or filter by category.
86 results
hello
greetings- Cebuano
- kumusta
- Hiligaynon
- kumusta
- Waray
- kumusta
- Kinaray-a
- kumusta
- Tausug
- Assalamu alaykum
Tausug speakers are predominantly Muslim, so the everyday hello is the Islamic greeting Assalamu alaykum (peace be upon you). For casual conversation: Maunu-unu na kaw? (how are you?).
thank you
greetings- Cebuano
- salamat
- Hiligaynon
- salamat
- Waray
- salamat
- Kinaray-a
- salamat
- Tausug
- magsukul
yes
greetings- Cebuano
- oo
- Hiligaynon
- huo
- Waray
- oo
- Kinaray-a
- huo
- Tausug
- huun
no
greetings- Cebuano
- dili
- Hiligaynon
- indi
- Waray
- diri
- Kinaray-a
- indi
- Tausug
- di
good
adjectives- Cebuano
- maayo
- Hiligaynon
- maayo
- Waray
- maupay
- Kinaray-a
- mayad
- Tausug
- marayaw
good morning
greetings- Cebuano
- maayong buntag
- Hiligaynon
- maayong aga
- Waray
- maupay nga aga
- Kinaray-a
- mayad nga aga
- Tausug
- maayung mahinaat
good evening
greetings- Cebuano
- maayong gabii
- Hiligaynon
- maayong gab-i
- Waray
- maupay nga gab-i
- Kinaray-a
- mayad nga gab-i
- Tausug
- maayung dum
please
greetings- Cebuano
- palihog
- Hiligaynon
- palihog
- Waray
- alayon
- Kinaray-a
- palihug
- Tausug
- junjung
sorry
greetings- Cebuano
- pasaylo
- Hiligaynon
- pasayloha
- Waray
- pasaylua
- Kinaray-a
- pasayloha
- Tausug
- maaf
I / me
pronouns- Cebuano
- ako
- Hiligaynon
- ako
- Waray
- ako
- Kinaray-a
- ako
- Tausug
- aku
you
pronouns- Cebuano
- ikaw / ka
- Hiligaynon
- ikaw / ka
- Waray
- ikaw / ka
- Kinaray-a
- ikaw / kaw
- Tausug
- kaw / ikaw
he / she
pronouns- Cebuano
- siya
- Hiligaynon
- siya
- Waray
- hiya
- Kinaray-a
- tana
- Tausug
- siya
we (incl.)
pronouns- Cebuano
- kita
- Hiligaynon
- kita
- Waray
- kita
- Kinaray-a
- kita
- Tausug
- kitaniyu
includes the listener
we (excl.)
pronouns- Cebuano
- kami
- Hiligaynon
- kami
- Waray
- kami
- Kinaray-a
- kami
- Tausug
- kami
excludes the listener
they
pronouns- Cebuano
- sila
- Hiligaynon
- sila
- Waray
- hira
- Kinaray-a
- sanda
- Tausug
- sila
what
questions- Cebuano
- unsa
- Hiligaynon
- ano
- Waray
- ano
- Kinaray-a
- ano
- Tausug
- unu
where
questions- Cebuano
- asa
- Hiligaynon
- diin
- Waray
- hain
- Kinaray-a
- diin
- Tausug
- hawnu
who
questions- Cebuano
- kinsa
- Hiligaynon
- sin-o
- Waray
- hin-o
- Kinaray-a
- sin-o
- Tausug
- hisiyu
when
questions- Cebuano
- kanus-a
- Hiligaynon
- san-o
- Waray
- san-o
- Kinaray-a
- san-o
- Tausug
- kanu
why
questions- Cebuano
- ngano
- Hiligaynon
- ngaa
- Waray
- kay ano
- Kinaray-a
- ngaa
- Tausug
- mayta
how
questions- Cebuano
- unsaon
- Hiligaynon
- paano
- Waray
- paano
- Kinaray-a
- paano
- Tausug
- biyaha
how much
questions- Cebuano
- pila
- Hiligaynon
- tag-pila
- Waray
- pira
- Kinaray-a
- tag-pira
- Tausug
- pila
one
numbers- Cebuano
- usa
- Hiligaynon
- isa
- Waray
- usa
- Kinaray-a
- isara
- Tausug
- hambuuk
two
numbers- Cebuano
- duha
- Hiligaynon
- duha
- Waray
- duha
- Kinaray-a
- darwa
- Tausug
- duwa
three
numbers- Cebuano
- tulo
- Hiligaynon
- tatlo
- Waray
- tulo
- Kinaray-a
- tatlo
- Tausug
- tu
four
numbers- Cebuano
- upat
- Hiligaynon
- apat
- Waray
- upat
- Kinaray-a
- apat
- Tausug
- upat
five
numbers- Cebuano
- lima
- Hiligaynon
- lima
- Waray
- lima
- Kinaray-a
- lima
- Tausug
- lima
six
numbers- Cebuano
- unom
- Hiligaynon
- anom
- Waray
- unom
- Kinaray-a
- anum
- Tausug
- unum
seven
numbers- Cebuano
- pito
- Hiligaynon
- pito
- Waray
- pito
- Kinaray-a
- pito
- Tausug
- pitu
eight
numbers- Cebuano
- walo
- Hiligaynon
- walo
- Waray
- walo
- Kinaray-a
- walo
- Tausug
- walu
nine
numbers- Cebuano
- siyam
- Hiligaynon
- siyam
- Waray
- siyam
- Kinaray-a
- siyam
- Tausug
- siyam
ten
numbers- Cebuano
- napulo
- Hiligaynon
- napulo
- Waray
- napulo
- Kinaray-a
- napulo
- Tausug
- hangpu
mother
family- Cebuano
- inahan / nanay
- Hiligaynon
- iloy / nanay
- Waray
- iroy / nanay
- Kinaray-a
- nanay / iloy
- Tausug
- ina
father
family- Cebuano
- amahan / tatay
- Hiligaynon
- tatay / amay
- Waray
- tatay / amay
- Kinaray-a
- tatay / amay
- Tausug
- ama
child
family- Cebuano
- bata
- Hiligaynon
- bata
- Waray
- bata
- Kinaray-a
- bata
- Tausug
- anak
sibling
family- Cebuano
- igsoon
- Hiligaynon
- utod
- Waray
- bugto
- Kinaray-a
- utud
- Tausug
- taymanghud
friend
family- Cebuano
- higala
- Hiligaynon
- abyan
- Waray
- sangkay
- Kinaray-a
- abyan
- Tausug
- bagay
grandmother
family- Cebuano
- lola
- Hiligaynon
- lola
- Waray
- apoy / lola
- Kinaray-a
- lola
- Tausug
- apu babai
grandfather
family- Cebuano
- lolo
- Hiligaynon
- lolo
- Waray
- apoy / lolo
- Kinaray-a
- lolo
- Tausug
- apu usug
water
food- Cebuano
- tubig
- Hiligaynon
- tubig
- Waray
- tubig
- Kinaray-a
- tubig
- Tausug
- tubig
rice (cooked)
food- Cebuano
- kan-on
- Hiligaynon
- kan-on
- Waray
- luto
- Kinaray-a
- kan-un
- Tausug
- kanun
rice (uncooked)
food- Cebuano
- bugas
- Hiligaynon
- bugas
- Waray
- bugas
- Kinaray-a
- bugas
- Tausug
- bugas
food
food- Cebuano
- pagkaon
- Hiligaynon
- pagkaon
- Waray
- pagkaon
- Kinaray-a
- pagkaon
- Tausug
- kaunun
fish
food- Cebuano
- isda
- Hiligaynon
- isda
- Waray
- isda
- Kinaray-a
- isda
- Tausug
- ista
meat
food- Cebuano
- karne / unod
- Hiligaynon
- karne / unod
- Waray
- karne / unud
- Kinaray-a
- karne / unud
- Tausug
- unud
egg
food- Cebuano
- itlog
- Hiligaynon
- itlog
- Waray
- itlog
- Kinaray-a
- itlog
- Tausug
- iklug
dog
animals- Cebuano
- iro
- Hiligaynon
- ido
- Waray
- ayam
- Kinaray-a
- ido
- Tausug
- iru
cat
animals- Cebuano
- iring
- Hiligaynon
- kuring
- Waray
- iring / misay
- Kinaray-a
- kuring
- Tausug
- kuting
pig
animals- Cebuano
- baboy
- Hiligaynon
- baboy
- Waray
- baboy
- Kinaray-a
- baboy
- Tausug
- babuy
Tausug speakers are mostly Muslim and rarely use this
chicken
animals- Cebuano
- manok
- Hiligaynon
- manok
- Waray
- manok
- Kinaray-a
- manok
- Tausug
- manuk
bird
animals- Cebuano
- langgam
- Hiligaynon
- pispis
- Waray
- tamsi
- Kinaray-a
- pispis
- Tausug
- manuk-manuk
In Hiligaynon/Kinaray-a, 'langgam' means ant!
water buffalo
animals- Cebuano
- kabaw
- Hiligaynon
- karabaw
- Waray
- karabaw
- Kinaray-a
- karabaw
- Tausug
- kabbaw
head
body- Cebuano
- ulo
- Hiligaynon
- ulo
- Waray
- ulo
- Kinaray-a
- ulo
- Tausug
- u
eye
body- Cebuano
- mata
- Hiligaynon
- mata
- Waray
- mata
- Kinaray-a
- mata
- Tausug
- mata
hand
body- Cebuano
- kamot
- Hiligaynon
- kamot
- Waray
- kamot / alima
- Kinaray-a
- kamut
- Tausug
- lima
foot
body- Cebuano
- tiil
- Hiligaynon
- tiil
- Waray
- tiil
- Kinaray-a
- kahig / tiil
- Tausug
- siki
heart
body- Cebuano
- kasingkasing
- Hiligaynon
- tagipusoon
- Waray
- kasingkasing
- Kinaray-a
- tagipusu-on
- Tausug
- atay-atay
sun
nature- Cebuano
- adlaw
- Hiligaynon
- adlaw
- Waray
- adlaw
- Kinaray-a
- adlaw
- Tausug
- suga
'adlaw' also means 'day' in Cebuano/Hiligaynon/Waray
moon
nature- Cebuano
- bulan
- Hiligaynon
- bulan
- Waray
- bulan
- Kinaray-a
- bulan
- Tausug
- bulan
star
nature- Cebuano
- bituon
- Hiligaynon
- bituon
- Waray
- bitoon
- Kinaray-a
- bituon
- Tausug
- bituun
fire
nature- Cebuano
- kalayo
- Hiligaynon
- kalayo
- Waray
- kalayo
- Kinaray-a
- kalayo
- Tausug
- kayu
tree
nature- Cebuano
- kahoy
- Hiligaynon
- kahoy
- Waray
- kahoy
- Kinaray-a
- kahoy
- Tausug
- kahuy
sea
nature- Cebuano
- dagat
- Hiligaynon
- dagat
- Waray
- dagat
- Kinaray-a
- dagat
- Tausug
- dagat
mountain
nature- Cebuano
- bukid
- Hiligaynon
- bukid
- Waray
- bukid
- Kinaray-a
- bukid
- Tausug
- bud
rain
nature- Cebuano
- ulan
- Hiligaynon
- ulan
- Waray
- uran
- Kinaray-a
- uran
- Tausug
- ulan
wind
nature- Cebuano
- hangin
- Hiligaynon
- hangin
- Waray
- hangin
- Kinaray-a
- hangin
- Tausug
- hangin
day
time- Cebuano
- adlaw
- Hiligaynon
- adlaw
- Waray
- adlaw
- Kinaray-a
- adlaw
- Tausug
- adlaw
night
time- Cebuano
- gabii
- Hiligaynon
- gab-i
- Waray
- gab-i
- Kinaray-a
- gab-i
- Tausug
- dum
today
time- Cebuano
- karon
- Hiligaynon
- subong
- Waray
- yana
- Kinaray-a
- kadya
- Tausug
- bihaun
tomorrow
time- Cebuano
- ugma
- Hiligaynon
- buwas
- Waray
- buwas
- Kinaray-a
- buas
- Tausug
- kunsum
yesterday
time- Cebuano
- gahapon
- Hiligaynon
- kahapon
- Waray
- kahapon
- Kinaray-a
- kahapon
- Tausug
- kahapun
eat
verbs- Cebuano
- kaon
- Hiligaynon
- kaon
- Waray
- kaon
- Kinaray-a
- kaon
- Tausug
- kaun
drink
verbs- Cebuano
- inom
- Hiligaynon
- inom
- Waray
- inom
- Kinaray-a
- inum
- Tausug
- inum
sleep
verbs- Cebuano
- tulog
- Hiligaynon
- tulog
- Waray
- tulog / katurog
- Kinaray-a
- turog
- Tausug
- tug
go
verbs- Cebuano
- adto
- Hiligaynon
- kadto / lakat
- Waray
- kadto
- Kinaray-a
- adto
- Tausug
- madtu
come
verbs- Cebuano
- anhi / dali
- Hiligaynon
- kari
- Waray
- kanhi
- Kinaray-a
- dali / kari
- Tausug
- kari
see
verbs- Cebuano
- tan-aw
- Hiligaynon
- tan-aw / kita
- Waray
- kita / tan-aw
- Kinaray-a
- kita
- Tausug
- kita
love
verbs- Cebuano
- gugma / higugma
- Hiligaynon
- higugma
- Waray
- higugma
- Kinaray-a
- higugma
- Tausug
- lasa / kasi
speak
verbs- Cebuano
- sulti / istorya
- Hiligaynon
- hambal
- Waray
- yakan / istorya
- Kinaray-a
- hambal
- Tausug
- bissara
buy
verbs- Cebuano
- palit
- Hiligaynon
- bakal
- Waray
- palit
- Kinaray-a
- bakal
- Tausug
- bili
big
adjectives- Cebuano
- dako
- Hiligaynon
- daku
- Waray
- daku / dako
- Kinaray-a
- dako
- Tausug
- dakula
small
adjectives- Cebuano
- gamay
- Hiligaynon
- gamay
- Waray
- gutiay
- Kinaray-a
- gamay
- Tausug
- asibi
beautiful
adjectives- Cebuano
- gwapa / nindot
- Hiligaynon
- guwapa / matahum
- Waray
- magayon / gwapa
- Kinaray-a
- matahum / gwapa
- Tausug
- masulig
hot
adjectives- Cebuano
- init
- Hiligaynon
- init
- Waray
- init / mainit
- Kinaray-a
- mainit
- Tausug
- pasu
cold
adjectives- Cebuano
- bugnaw
- Hiligaynon
- matugnaw
- Waray
- mahagkot
- Kinaray-a
- matugnaw
- Tausug
- haggut
tired
adjectives- Cebuano
- gikapoy
- Hiligaynon
- ginakapoy
- Waray
- gikabudlayan
- Kinaray-a
- gakapoy
- Tausug
- lamung
| English | Cebuano | Hiligaynon | Waray | Kinaray-a | Tausug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
hello Tausug speakers are predominantly Muslim, so the everyday hello is the Islamic greeting Assalamu alaykum (peace be upon you). For casual conversation: Maunu-unu na kaw? (how are you?). | kumusta | kumusta | kumusta | kumusta | Assalamu alaykum |
thank you | salamat | salamat | salamat | salamat | magsukul |
yes | oo | huo | oo | huo | huun |
no | dili | indi | diri | indi | di |
good | maayo | maayo | maupay | mayad | marayaw |
good morning | maayong buntag | maayong aga | maupay nga aga | mayad nga aga | maayung mahinaat |
good evening | maayong gabii | maayong gab-i | maupay nga gab-i | mayad nga gab-i | maayung dum |
please | palihog | palihog | alayon | palihug | junjung |
sorry | pasaylo | pasayloha | pasaylua | pasayloha | maaf |
I / me | ako | ako | ako | ako | aku |
you | ikaw / ka | ikaw / ka | ikaw / ka | ikaw / kaw | kaw / ikaw |
he / she | siya | siya | hiya | tana | siya |
we (incl.) includes the listener | kita | kita | kita | kita | kitaniyu |
we (excl.) excludes the listener | kami | kami | kami | kami | kami |
they | sila | sila | hira | sanda | sila |
what | unsa | ano | ano | ano | unu |
where | asa | diin | hain | diin | hawnu |
who | kinsa | sin-o | hin-o | sin-o | hisiyu |
when | kanus-a | san-o | san-o | san-o | kanu |
why | ngano | ngaa | kay ano | ngaa | mayta |
how | unsaon | paano | paano | paano | biyaha |
how much | pila | tag-pila | pira | tag-pira | pila |
one | usa | isa | usa | isara | hambuuk |
two | duha | duha | duha | darwa | duwa |
three | tulo | tatlo | tulo | tatlo | tu |
four | upat | apat | upat | apat | upat |
five | lima | lima | lima | lima | lima |
six | unom | anom | unom | anum | unum |
seven | pito | pito | pito | pito | pitu |
eight | walo | walo | walo | walo | walu |
nine | siyam | siyam | siyam | siyam | siyam |
ten | napulo | napulo | napulo | napulo | hangpu |
mother | inahan / nanay | iloy / nanay | iroy / nanay | nanay / iloy | ina |
father | amahan / tatay | tatay / amay | tatay / amay | tatay / amay | ama |
child | bata | bata | bata | bata | anak |
sibling | igsoon | utod | bugto | utud | taymanghud |
friend | higala | abyan | sangkay | abyan | bagay |
grandmother | lola | lola | apoy / lola | lola | apu babai |
grandfather | lolo | lolo | apoy / lolo | lolo | apu usug |
water | tubig | tubig | tubig | tubig | tubig |
rice (cooked) | kan-on | kan-on | luto | kan-un | kanun |
rice (uncooked) | bugas | bugas | bugas | bugas | bugas |
food | pagkaon | pagkaon | pagkaon | pagkaon | kaunun |
fish | isda | isda | isda | isda | ista |
meat | karne / unod | karne / unod | karne / unud | karne / unud | unud |
egg | itlog | itlog | itlog | itlog | iklug |
dog | iro | ido | ayam | ido | iru |
cat | iring | kuring | iring / misay | kuring | kuting |
pig Tausug speakers are mostly Muslim and rarely use this | baboy | baboy | baboy | baboy | babuy |
chicken | manok | manok | manok | manok | manuk |
bird In Hiligaynon/Kinaray-a, 'langgam' means ant! | langgam | pispis | tamsi | pispis | manuk-manuk |
water buffalo | kabaw | karabaw | karabaw | karabaw | kabbaw |
head | ulo | ulo | ulo | ulo | u |
eye | mata | mata | mata | mata | mata |
hand | kamot | kamot | kamot / alima | kamut | lima |
foot | tiil | tiil | tiil | kahig / tiil | siki |
heart | kasingkasing | tagipusoon | kasingkasing | tagipusu-on | atay-atay |
sun 'adlaw' also means 'day' in Cebuano/Hiligaynon/Waray | adlaw | adlaw | adlaw | adlaw | suga |
moon | bulan | bulan | bulan | bulan | bulan |
star | bituon | bituon | bitoon | bituon | bituun |
fire | kalayo | kalayo | kalayo | kalayo | kayu |
tree | kahoy | kahoy | kahoy | kahoy | kahuy |
sea | dagat | dagat | dagat | dagat | dagat |
mountain | bukid | bukid | bukid | bukid | bud |
rain | ulan | ulan | uran | uran | ulan |
wind | hangin | hangin | hangin | hangin | hangin |
day | adlaw | adlaw | adlaw | adlaw | adlaw |
night | gabii | gab-i | gab-i | gab-i | dum |
today | karon | subong | yana | kadya | bihaun |
tomorrow | ugma | buwas | buwas | buas | kunsum |
yesterday | gahapon | kahapon | kahapon | kahapon | kahapun |
eat | kaon | kaon | kaon | kaon | kaun |
drink | inom | inom | inom | inum | inum |
sleep | tulog | tulog | tulog / katurog | turog | tug |
go | adto | kadto / lakat | kadto | adto | madtu |
come | anhi / dali | kari | kanhi | dali / kari | kari |
see | tan-aw | tan-aw / kita | kita / tan-aw | kita | kita |
love | gugma / higugma | higugma | higugma | higugma | lasa / kasi |
speak | sulti / istorya | hambal | yakan / istorya | hambal | bissara |
buy | palit | bakal | palit | bakal | bili |
big | dako | daku | daku / dako | dako | dakula |
small | gamay | gamay | gutiay | gamay | asibi |
beautiful | gwapa / nindot | guwapa / matahum | magayon / gwapa | matahum / gwapa | masulig |
hot | init | init | init / mainit | mainit | pasu |
cold | bugnaw | matugnaw | mahagkot | matugnaw | haggut |
tired | gikapoy | ginakapoy | gikabudlayan | gakapoy | lamung |
Why Compare Visayan Languages?
The Visayan (Bisayan) language family is one of the largest in the Philippines, with over 30 million native speakers across the Visayas and Mindanao. While speakers of these languages share a common ancestor, the modern languages have diverged enough that speakers of Cebuano often cannot fully understand Waray-Waray or Tausug — and vice versa. This tool puts the most common everyday words side by side, so learners can see exactly where the languages overlap and where they differ.
The Five Visayan Languages in This Tool
- Cebuano (Bisaya / Sinugboanon) — the largest Visayan language with around 22 million speakers across Cebu, Bohol, eastern Negros, parts of Leyte, and most of Mindanao.
- Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) — the second-largest with about 9 million speakers, centered in Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Capiz, and Guimaras.
- Waray-Waray — about 3 million speakers across Samar, eastern Leyte, and Biliran. Waray is the most distinct from Cebuano of the major Visayan languages.
- Kinaray-a (Hiniraya) — the older sister language of Hiligaynon, spoken in Antique and interior Iloilo. Famous for preserving the schwa vowel that Hiligaynon dropped.
- Tausug (Bahasa Sūg) — about 1 million speakers in the Sulu archipelago, Tawi-Tawi, parts of Basilan, Zamboanga, and Sabah, Malaysia. Heavily influenced by Arabic and Malay through centuries of Islamic trade.
How to Use This Comparison Tool
Use the search box to look up any English word — for example, water, thank you, I love you, or mother. You can also click a category chip to focus on greetings, numbers, family terms, food, animals, or other common vocabulary. The table updates instantly. If you're a Cebuano speaker curious about how Hiligaynon or Waray say the same word, just type the Cebuano term — the search matches all five language columns at once.
What You'll Notice
- Many words are nearly identical across all five languages (water = tubig, fish = isda, eat = kaon).
- Some core words diverge sharply — particularly question words, where Cebuano asa (where) becomes diin in Hiligaynon and hain in Waray.
- Tausug often uses shorter, more clipped forms — tu for three, siki for foot — reflecting centuries of Malay and Arabic contact.
- Some words look identical but mean totally different things — Cebuano langgam (bird) means ant in Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a!
Learn More About Each Visayan Language
For a deeper dive into the family tree and where each language is spoken, read our complete guide to The Visayan Language Family Tree. If you're focused on Cebuano specifically, start with our beginner's guide to Bisaya, or browse everyday phrases and our Bisaya dictionary.
Translations are based on standard regional varieties. Vocabulary may vary by sub-dialect, age group, and individual usage. Sources: Wolff (1972) A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan, Zorc (1977) The Bisayan Dialects of the Philippines, and Ethnologue.