With the kids, and around the village
This is the part of my notes for when I’m around the village or family.
I often end up playing a simple word-game with the kids when I’m there: Unsay Bisaya sa…?
01Playing with the kids
Tindog.
Stand up.
Lingkod.
Sit down.
Pili ka!
You choose!
Mag-duwa ta ug tago-tago.
Let’s play hide and seek.
Duwa is to play and tago is to hide. Doubling a word up like tago-tago is very common.
Basaha kini, palihug.
Read this, please.
Unsa imong paborito nga kolor?
What’s your favorite color?
See the colors word list.
Bisaya na lang ta.
Let’s just speak Bisaya.
I say this when someone doesn't speak English. It is usually humorous, since I can't really hold a conversation yet.
Hangtod ugma!
See you tomorrow!
Literally: Until tomorrow!
02At the shop
Ayaw kabalaka, dili ko kaayo mokaon.
Don’t worry, I don’t eat much.
Share ni, ha?
We’re sharing this, yeah?
English share works here, I use this when I give something to one person that I hope they share with others.
Naa moy lemon?
Do you have any lemon?
Naa moy…? is “do you (plural) have…?” - swap in anything you need.
Naa koy gatas.
I’ve got milk.
Kinahanglan nako ang gatas.
I need milk.
I just add this grammar to contrast the difference between asking for something and having it
03Thanking and apologizing
Salamat sa inyong tabang sa pagkat-on nako ug Bisaya!
Thank you all for helping me learn Bisaya!
Gamay ra akong Bisaya.
I only speak a little Bisaya.
Ayaw kahibulong, nakat-on man ko gamay.
Don’t be surprised, I’ve learned a little.
This is more cheeky than the translation sounds, it's like saying -> come on, don't be surprised, I'm not even good
Lisod gyud ning Bisaya, oy!
This Bisaya is really hard, oy!
I say this when someone asks if I can speak Bisaya, which is basically saying Bisaya is too hard, in Bisaya