Greetings

1. Maayong buntag

   Ma-a-yong bun-tag

   Hello / Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting widely used in the Visayas and Mindanao regions

   Grammar Note

   Composed of "maayo" (good) + linker "ng" + "buntag" (morning). Equivalent to Tagalog "Magandang umaga".

2. Salamat

   Sa-la-mat

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   Borrowed from Arabic "salama" (safety/peace). Same form as Tagalog "salamat". Understood across the Philippines.

3. Palihug

   Pa-li-hug

   Please

   Usage

   Polite word used when making a request

   Grammar Note

   "Palihug" is the polite word placed before a request, equivalent to English "please" (e.g. "Palihug anhi karon dayon." = Please come right away).

4. Dili ko makasabut

   Di-li ko ma-ka-sa-but

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Used when you don't understand what is being said

   Grammar Note

   "Dili" is the general negation in Cebuano. "Makasabut" = "maka-" (ability prefix) + "sabut" (understand).

5. Kumusta ka?

   Ku-mus-ta ka?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Common greeting asking about someone's wellbeing

   Grammar Note

   Borrowed from Spanish "¿Cómo está?". Understood across the Philippines. Formal plural: "Kumusta kamo?".

6. Maayong hapon

   Ma-a-yong ha-pon

   Good afternoon

   Usage

   Afternoon greeting

   Grammar Note

   "Maayong" = "maayo" (good) + linker "-ng". "Hapon" means afternoon, unrelated to Japanese "hapon". Morning: "buntag", noon: "udto", evening: "gabii".

7. Maayong gabii

   Ma-a-yong ga-bi-i

   Good evening

   Usage

   Evening greeting

   Grammar Note

   In Cebuano, night/evening is "gabii" (long vowel). Tagalog "gabi" (night) is the Tagalog form and is not used in Cebuano.

8. Wala'y problema

   Wa-la'y pro-ble-ma

   No problem

   Usage

   Reassuring someone that there is no problem

   Grammar Note

   "Wala" (none) + "'y" (linker). "Problema" is from Spanish. Equivalent to Tagalog "walang problema".

9. Maayo man, salamat

   Ma-a-yo man, sa-la-mat

   I'm fine, thank you

   Usage

   Standard reply to "Kumusta ka?" (How are you?)

   Grammar Note

   "Man" is a Cebuano particle adding confirmation/emphasis. "Kumusta ka?" → "Maayo man, salamat" is the standard exchange.

10. Hangtod sa sunod

    Hang-tod sa su-nod

    See you next time / Until next time

    Usage

    Farewell expression implying you will meet again

    Grammar Note

    "Hangtod" means "until". "Sa sunod" means "next time". A more casual farewell is "Babay" (borrowed from English "bye-bye").

11. Asa ang CR?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Used to ask where the toilet is

    Grammar Note

    "CR" (Comfort Room) is the Filipino English term for toilet. "Banyo" (from Spanish "baño") is also widely used. "Asa" is the Cebuano "where" question word

12. Dili ko makasulti ug Binisaya

    I can't speak Cebuano

    Usage

    Used to tell someone you cannot speak Cebuano

    Grammar Note

    "Binisaya" is an alternate name for Cebuano/Visayan. "Dili + maka-verb" negates ability, and "ug" works like "and" or as an object marker. The verb here is "sulti" (to speak); the earlier "makaingon" is from "ingon" (to say something), which cannot take a language as its object and read as "I cannot say Binisaya". the Accessibility category acc-009 likewise uses "pagsulti"

13. Mobalik ko pag-usab

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. Lingaw kaayo ko

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting ways

15. Salamat, hangtod sa sunod

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

16. Maayong pagkatulog

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to sleep, e.g. to a guesthouse host — distinct from "Maayong gabi" (good evening)

17. Molakaw na ko

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving the guesthouse

18. Nibalik na ko

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said when returning to the guesthouse

19. Mouna na ko

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    Said when leaving before others, e.g. at a meal

20. Walay sapayan

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Response to being thanked

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