Tagalog → Bisaya · Question Words

Tagalog “Saan” in Bisaya: Asa

The Tagalog word “saan” translates to Asa in Bisaya (Cebuano), pronounced ah-SAH. In English, it means “Where.” Bisaya is spoken by over 22 million people across the Visayas and Mindanao — the second most widely spoken language in the Philippines after Tagalog.

Bisaya translation

Asa

ah-SAH

English meaning
Where
Part of speech
question

How to pronounce Asa

Say it as ah-SAH. 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

  • Asa ka?

    “Where are you?”

Usage note

Tagalog 'saan' is one of the most distinctive words that differs from Bisaya 'asa.' If you speak only Tagalog, this single word swap goes a long way.

Frequently asked questions

What is "saan" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya translation of the Tagalog word "saan" is Asa, pronounced ah-SAH. In English, it means "Where."
How do you pronounce "Asa"?
Pronounce it as ah-SAH. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Asa" mean in English?
"Asa" means "Where" in English. It functions as a question in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Asa" in a sentence?
Example: "Asa ka?" — Where are you?
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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