English → Bisaya · Cultural Expressions

“Oh my goodness!” in Bisaya: Pastilan

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “Oh my goodness!” is Pastilan, pronounced pahs-TEE-lahn. It's used as a interjection in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

Pastilan

pahs-TEE-lahn

English meaning
Oh my goodness! / Wow!
Part of speech
interjection

How to pronounce Pastilan

Say it as pahs-TEE-lahn. 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

  • Pastilan! Naa diay ka diri?

    “Whoa! You're here?”

Cultural context

Uniquely Cebuano — Tagalog speakers don't have it. Tone decides meaning: wonder, exasperation, or playful shock. Drop it naturally and locals will smile.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "Oh my goodness!" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "Oh my goodness!" is Pastilan, pronounced pahs-TEE-lahn.
How do you pronounce "Pastilan"?
Pronounce it as pahs-TEE-lahn. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Pastilan" mean in English?
"Pastilan" means "Oh my goodness! / Wow!" in English. It functions as a interjection in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Pastilan" in a sentence?
Example: "Pastilan! Naa diay ka diri?" — Whoa! You're here?
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

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

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