English → Bisaya · Greetings

“Good morning” in Bisaya: Maayong buntag

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “Good morning” is Maayong buntag, pronounced mah-AH-yong boon-TAG. It's used as a greeting in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

Maayong buntag

mah-AH-yong boon-TAG

English meaning
Good morning
Part of speech
greeting

How to pronounce Maayong buntag

Say it as mah-AH-yong boon-TAG. 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

  • Maayong buntag sa tanan!

    “Good morning to everyone!”

  • Maayong buntag, kumusta ka?

    “Good morning, how are you?”

  • Maayong buntag, boss!

    “Good morning, boss!”

Common phrases using Maayong buntag

  • Maayong buntag sa inyong tanan·Good morning to all of you
  • Maayong buntag, maayo bang tulog nimo?·Good morning, did you sleep well?

Usage note

Used from sunrise until around 11 AM.

Cultural context

Filipinos greet everyone they meet in the morning. It's considered polite and friendly. In rural areas, people greet even strangers with 'Maayong buntag!' as they pass by.

Synonyms and alternatives

You may also hear Mayong buntag as alternative ways to express “Good morning” in Bisaya.

“Good morning” across Visayan languages

Bisaya is part of a larger family. Here's how the same word appears in five major Visayan languages:

  • Cebuanomaayong buntag
  • Hiligaynonmaayong aga
  • Waraymaupay nga aga
  • Kinaray-amayad nga aga
  • Tausugmaayung mahinaat
Compare more words across Visayan languages

Related Bisaya words

Maayong hapon

Good afternoon

mah-AH-yong hah-PON

Maayong gabii

Good evening

mah-AH-yong gah-BEE-ee

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "Good morning" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "Good morning" is Maayong buntag, pronounced mah-AH-yong boon-TAG.
How do you pronounce "Maayong buntag"?
Pronounce it as mah-AH-yong boon-TAG. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Maayong buntag" mean in English?
"Maayong buntag" means "Good morning" in English. It functions as a greeting in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Maayong buntag" in a sentence?
Example: "Maayong buntag sa tanan!" — Good morning to everyone!
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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