At the market/eatery
There are two sets of numbers to know. You count things with Bisaya numbers: usa, duha, tulo (one, two, three). Prices usually use numbers borrowed from Spanish, so a banana might cost singko (five) or diyes (ten) pesos. Even English will do much of the time… But for listening, you need all, often in the same sentence.
01How much?
How much for 1 banana?
Tagpila asks the price per item. Swap saging (banana) for anything: mangga, pinya, isda (fish).
Palihug, pwede ko’g duha ka saging ug tulo ka mangga?
Can I have two bananas and three mangoes, please?
Count items with the Bisaya numbers plus ka: usa ka, duha ka, tulo ka…
Pila tanan?
How much for everything?
Prefix Palihug to this for the complete polite question to ask eg after eating: “Palihug, pila tanan”
Pila ka buok?
How many pieces?
What the seller asks you. Buok means a piece.
02Just looking
Tanaw-tanaw lang ko.
I’m just looking around.
Ganahan ko ani.
I like this.
03Sizes and colors
Mo here is the plural “you”, so it's asking the shop, not the person.
Naa moy dako-dako ani?
Do you have a bigger one?
Literally: Do you have a bit bigger (than) this?
Naa moy mas gamay kaysa ani?
Do you have a smaller one?
Literally: Do you have smaller than this?
Naa pa moy laing kolor?
Do you have any other colors?
Naa pay lain ani?
Do you have any more of these?
04Trying things on (useful if you have a partner)
Angayan ka.
It suits you.
Sakto ra.
It’s just right.
If a Filipina asks you anything about her appearance, just say this every time. Eventually, they won't believe you, but it still works.
05Asking for a discount (not serious)
Naa bay special price para nako kay porigner man ko?
Is there a special price for me, since I’m a foreigner?
Pobre ra man ko nga porigner!
I’m just a poor foreigner!
Porigner is how “foreigner” often gets said in Bisaya. This is one I haven't used yet, but will obviously be a joke
Utang na lang. Mo hugas ko og plato.
I'll just have to owe you... I will wash the dishes.
I say this at an eatery when the bill comes, has definitely got a laugh