Discover Cebu: Useful Cebuano Phrases to Learn Before Visiting Cebu

“We must travel; we must go to foreign parts. We must see how the engine of society works in other countries, and keep free and open communication with what is going on in the minds of other nations, if we really want to be a nation again.” –Swami Vivekananda 

Traveling to exotic places is no doubt, quite the enthralling adventure.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to an exotic travel excursion is the communication barrier. Sure, there might be a handful of countries who speak English, but a majority of them only have the basics nailed. Luckily, the Philippines (one of the most beautiful exotic travel destinations) has a majority of locals who have an excellent command of the English language. However, you would make a better impression and would probably warm up to the locals better if you spoke their language and dialect. After all, to them, this would be seen as an effort to assimilate and truly immerse yourself in a foreign culture. Nonetheless, the gesture alone would be welcome and appreciated by the locals you are interacting and communicating with. One of the Philippine destinations that have an abundance of tourist spots such as picturesque landscapes, powdery white-beaches, and captivating sceneries is Cebu also known as the Queen City of the South. Moreover, the city has a majority of locals who understand and can even speak fluently in English which would make it a premier vacation spot for foreigners.

However, if you wish to give your stay a veneer of authenticity then learning a few phrases in Cebuano can significantly help you. Moreover, learning a few key phrases would also denote as a stepping stone towards your immersion in a foreign culture—plus it is something new to learn! Furthermore, learning a few key phrases mitigates the risk of getting scammed as well as makes transactions such as buying and haggling goods so much easier. So, before you start scouring for potential budget hotels in Mactan Cebu, it might be best to learn a few key phrases first:

1.)    Transportation 

Even with booking apps such as Uber and Grab in the Philippines, it still pays to transact business with drivers by talking to them in their native language. Moreover, you cannot reasonably expect to travel to every point by means of booking and ride-sharing apps—especially to some far-flung destinations. Here are some Cebuano words that would greatly help you when you are riding a bus and hitting the road:

a.)    Lugar Lang (Just here)- This is a phrase used to call the attention of a bus, jeepneys, tricycle, multicab driver to stop.
b.)    Bayad palihog (Fare please)- A phrase used to ask the passengers seated beside you to pass the fare inside a public utility vehicle.
c.)    Pila ag pasahe/bayad? (How much is the fare?)- Before riding a public utility vehicle whether that may be taxis, jeepneys, and buses, it pays to know the fare beforehand.
d.)    Unsa ni orasa mu larga (What time will this vehicle leave?)- If you are in a hurry, it might be wise to know what time the bus would leave so you can estimate what time you will arrive and allocate your time better.

2.)    Accommodations 

Unless you are booked in a five-star hotel (which is quite rare in provincial and far-flung areas), knowing a few phrases in Cebuano could potentially help you. This is especially useful in voicing out concerns regarding services or amenities. Moreover, if you wish to raise a complaint as regards your room, the locals might understand you better if you conveyed your message a bit more clearly.

a.)    Walay tubig sa akong kwarto (My room has no water)- In letting the front desk know that your room has no water, tell them this phrase.
b.)    Naa moy extra habol ug unlan? (Do you have an extra blanket and pillow?)- If you find the sleeping essentials such as the blanket and pillows in your room to be inadequate, alert the staff by asking them if they have extra pillows and blankets.
c.)    Pila ag rate taga gabii (How much is the rate per night?)- Estimate your costs when you are on a budget by asking the hotel how much they charge per night beforehand.
d.)    Pwede ibilin ako gamit sa front desk? (Can I leave my things at the front desk area?) Unless you are checking in a lenient inn or resort accommodation, you would rarely be allowed inside the room until 2 PM. If you wish to go somewhere without being encumbered with your belongings, ask if you can leave your stuff at the front desk.

3.)    Buying and Haggling 

Buying souvenirs and the like is an integral part of any travel excursion. After all, if you wish to immortalize your experience, you would want to do so by bringing mementos back home. If you knew a few Cebuano key phrases, you would be able to haggle better and get better deals. However, do remember that when asking for discounted prices, always do so with a smile.

a.)     Tagpila ni manong? (How much is this sir?)- In asking for the price of the goods.
b.)    Walay hangyo? (Is there a discount?)- When buying goods, you get a better chance of getting a discount if you speak in the local dialect.
c.)    Naay mas barato? (Is there something cheaper?)- If what you wish to buy is beyond your allotted budget, ask the vendor if they offer anything cheaper than what was previously offered.
d.)    Kani, Kana Kato- This, That(near), That(far)
e.)    Pila tanan? (How much is the total?)

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