English → Bisaya · Verbs

“To report” in Bisaya: sumbong

The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for “to report” is sumbong, pronounced SUM-bong. It's used as a verb in everyday Cebuano conversation across the Visayas and Mindanao, where over 22 million people speak Bisaya as their native language.

Bisaya translation

sumbong

SUM-bong

English meaning
to report / to tell on someone / to complain to authority
Part of speech
verb

How to pronounce sumbong

Say it as SUM-bong. 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

  • Isumbong nako kay mama kung dili ka mohunong.

    “I'll tell Mom if you don't stop.”

Usage note

Common among kids threatening to tell a parent; adults use it when reporting to bosses or filing complaints.

Related Bisaya words

Sulti

Speak / Say / Talk

SOOL-tee

Mama / Nanay / Inahan

Mother / Mom

MAH-mah / NAH-nai

Frequently asked questions

How do you say "to report" in Bisaya?
The Bisaya (Cebuano) word for "to report" is sumbong, pronounced SUM-bong.
How do you pronounce "sumbong"?
Pronounce it as SUM-bong. Capitalized syllables indicate stress.
What does "sumbong" mean in English?
"sumbong" means "to report / to tell on someone / to complain to authority" in English. It functions as a verb in everyday Cebuano conversation.
How do you use "sumbong" in a sentence?
Example: "Isumbong nako kay mama kung dili ka mohunong." — I'll tell Mom if you don't stop.
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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