English → Bisaya · Demonstratives

“This (near speaker)” in Bisaya: Kini

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “this (near speaker)” is Kini, pronounced KEE-nee. It's used as a pronoun in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

Kini

KEE-nee

English meaning
this (near speaker)
Part of speech
pronoun

How to pronounce Kini

Say it as KEE-nee. 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

  • Gusto ko kini.

    “I like this.”

  • Kini nga balay maoy among gipuy-an.

    “This is the house we live in.”

Usage note

Refers to something near the speaker. Contracts to ni when used as a clitic, or ning before nga + noun.

Synonyms and alternatives

You may also hear Ni, Ning as alternative ways to express “this (near speaker)” in Bisaya.

Related Bisaya words

Kana

that (near listener)

KAH-nah

Kadto

that (far from both / past)

KAHD-toh

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "this (near speaker)" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "this (near speaker)" is Kini, pronounced KEE-nee.
How do you pronounce "Kini"?
Pronounce it as KEE-nee. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "Kini" mean in English?
"Kini" means "this (near speaker)" in English. It functions as a pronoun in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "Kini" in a sentence?
Example: "Gusto ko kini." — I like this.
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