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Kinilaw — raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar and spices” in Bisaya: kinilaw

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “kinilaw — raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar and spices” is kinilaw, pronounced ki-ni-LAW. It's used as a noun in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

kinilaw

ki-ni-LAW

English meaning
kinilaw — raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar and spices
Part of speech
noun

How to pronounce kinilaw

Say it as ki-ni-LAW. 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

  • Lami ang kinilaw nga tuna sa baybayon.

    Tuna kinilaw at the beach is delicious.

Cultural context

Cebu's version of ceviche. Often made with fresh tuna, shrimp, or coconut vinegar and ginger. A beloved appetizer.

Related Bisaya words

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "kinilaw — raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar and spices" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "kinilaw — raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar and spices" is kinilaw, pronounced ki-ni-LAW.
How do you pronounce "kinilaw"?
Pronounce it as ki-ni-LAW. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "kinilaw" mean in English?
"kinilaw" means "kinilaw — raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar and spices" in English. It functions as a noun in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "kinilaw" in a sentence?
Example: "Lami ang kinilaw nga tuna sa baybayon." — Tuna kinilaw at the beach is delicious.
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.