English → Bisaya · Food

“Pig” in Bisaya: Baboy

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “Pig” is Baboy, pronounced BAH-boy. 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

Baboy

BAH-boy

English meaning
Pig / Pork
Part of speech
noun

How to pronounce Baboy

Say it as BAH-boy. 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

  • Lechon baboy ang espesyalidad sa Cebu.

    “Roasted whole pig is the specialty of Cebu.”

  • Mopalit ko ug baboy para sa pista.

    “I will buy pork for the festival.”

  • Tagpila ang kilo sa baboy?

    “How much is a kilo of pork?”

  • Ang baboy sa palengke mahal karon.

    “Pork at the market is expensive today.”

  • Lami ang humba nga baboy.

    “Braised pork is delicious.”

  • Nagpatay sila ug baboy alang sa pista.

    “They slaughtered a pig for the feast.”

  • Gipaluto niya ug adobo nga baboy.

    “She had pork adobo cooked.”

Common phrases using Baboy

  • Lechon baboy·Roasted whole pig
  • Humba nga baboy·Braised pork belly
  • Baboy ramo·Wild boar
  • Karne baboy·Pork meat
  • Ihaw nga baboy·Grilled pork
  • Tiyan sa baboy·Pork belly

Usage note

Refers to both the live animal (pig) and the meat (pork) — context makes the meaning clear. 'Baboy ramo' specifically means wild boar. Can also be used informally as a mild insult meaning someone is messy or dirty.

Cultural context

Pork holds a special place in Bisayan culture and celebration. Cebu's lechon — a whole pig roasted over charcoal for hours — is regarded as the finest in the Philippines. No fiesta, birthday, or major family gathering is complete without it. Serving lechon baboy signals hospitality and abundance to guests. Beyond the feast table, baboy is the most commonly sold meat in Bisayan wet markets, and the cuts you'll find range from pork belly (tiyan) to pork intestines (bituka).

Synonyms and alternatives

You may also hear Karne (for the meat portion) as alternative ways to express “Pig” in Bisaya.

“Pig” across Visayan languages

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

  • Cebuanobaboy
  • Hiligaynonbaboy
  • Waraybaboy
  • Kinaray-ababoy
  • Tausugbabuy
Compare more words across Visayan languages

Related Bisaya words

Lechon

Roasted pig

LETCH-on

Manok

Chicken

mah-NOK

Lami

Delicious / Tasty

lah-MEE

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "Pig" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "Pig" is Baboy, pronounced BAH-boy.
How do you pronounce "Baboy"?
Pronounce it as BAH-boy. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Baboy" mean in English?
"Baboy" means "Pig / Pork" in English. It functions as a noun in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Baboy" in a sentence?
Example: "Lechon baboy ang espesyalidad sa Cebu." — Roasted whole pig is the specialty of Cebu.
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.

All translationsBrowse dictionaryCompare Visayan