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“Always” in Bisaya: Permi

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “always” is Permi, pronounced PEHR-mee. It's used as a adverb in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

Permi

PEHR-mee

English meaning
Always
Part of speech
adverb

How to pronounce Permi

Say it as PEHR-mee. Capitalized syllables in the pronunciation guide indicate stress — the part of the word you emphasize when speaking. Bisaya stress is meaningful: putting it on the wrong syllable can change the meaning of a word, so it's worth practicing out loud.

Example sentences

  • Permi ko maglikod nimo.

    “I'm always behind you (supporting you).”

Usage note

From Spanish 'siempre.' 'Kanunay' is the more native term.

Synonyms and alternatives

You may also hear Kanunay as alternative ways to express “always” in Bisaya.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "always" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "always" is Permi, pronounced PEHR-mee.
How do you pronounce "Permi"?
Pronounce it as PEHR-mee. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Permi" mean in English?
"Permi" means "Always" in English. It functions as a adverb in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Permi" in a sentence?
Example: "Permi ko maglikod nimo." — I'm always behind you (supporting you).
Is Bisaya the same as Cebuano?
Yes — Bisaya and Cebuano are two names for the same language. Cebuano is the more formal linguistic name, while Bisaya is the everyday name used by speakers themselves. Both refer to the language spoken by 22+ million Filipinos. Read more in our Bisaya vs Binisaya guide.

Continue learning Bisaya

More than just translations.

Browse the full Bisaya dictionary, compare words across all five Visayan languages, or jump into our beginner's guide.

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