English → Bisaya · Descriptors

“Funny” in Bisaya: Lingaw

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “funny” is Lingaw, pronounced LEE-ngaw. It's used as a adjective in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

Lingaw

LEE-ngaw

English meaning
Funny
Part of speech
adjective

How to pronounce Lingaw

Say it as LEE-ngaw. 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

  • Lingaw kaayo ang iyang istorya.

    “His story is so funny.”

Usage note

'Lingaw' covers both 'funny' and 'fun.' Context tells you which.

Synonyms and alternatives

You may also hear Katawanan as alternative ways to express “funny” in Bisaya.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "funny" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "funny" is Lingaw, pronounced LEE-ngaw.
How do you pronounce "Lingaw"?
Pronounce it as LEE-ngaw. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Lingaw" mean in English?
"Lingaw" means "Funny" in English. It functions as a adjective in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Lingaw" in a sentence?
Example: "Lingaw kaayo ang iyang istorya." — His story is so funny.
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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