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“Embarrassed” in Bisaya: Naulaw
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “embarrassed” is Naulaw, pronounced nah-OO-lahw. It's used as a verb in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.
Bisaya translation
Naulaw
nah-OO-lahw
- English meaning
- embarrassed / shy / ashamed
- Part of speech
- verb
How to pronounce Naulaw
Say it as nah-OO-lahw. 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
Naulaw ko sa akong sayop.
“I'm embarrassed by my mistake.”
Usage note
The single most-used emotion word in Cebuano. Variant: nauwaw.
Cultural context
In Filipino cultures, naulaw governs behavior. When a Cebuano says naulaw ko, they're often signaling I don't want to impose — not I'm blushing.
Synonyms and alternatives
You may also hear Nauwaw as alternative ways to express “embarrassed” in Bisaya.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "embarrassed" in Bisaya?
How do you pronounce "Naulaw"?
What does "Naulaw" mean in English?
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Is Bisaya the same as Cebuano?
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.