Learn CebuanoWith Wika

Cebuano, or Bisaya, in short everyday lessons, so you can finally answer back in the language you grew up hearing.

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UNIT 1

The Foundation

Basic Cebuano Phrases

Pamilya
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TAGALOGCEBUANOILOCANOHILIGAYNONASI

Meet Cebuano

The language of Cebu, Bohol, and much of Mindanao, and of Bisaya families wherever they have moved.

Also called

  • Bisaya
  • Binisaya

Whatever your family calls it, it's the same language and the same course.

Where Cebuano is spoken

  • Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor
  • Negros Oriental
  • Southern Leyte and parts of Leyte
  • Much of Mindanao, including Davao and Cagayan de Oro

Connect with Cebuano

From family traditions to everyday phrases, here is what makes this language worth keeping, and worth passing on.

10:32••••

Welcome to Cebu

Central Visayas, Region VII, Philippines

Turquoise water and a wooden pier on a Cebu shoreline

Welcome to Cebu

Central Visayas, Region VII, Philippines

Where Cebuano is Spoken

Cebuano, which most speakers simply call Bisaya, is the everyday language of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and much of Mindanao, from Davao to Cagayan de Oro. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the Philippines.
Start Speaking It Now
9:41••••

Feed

TodayLivePopularNearbySaved

345,232 views

Sinulog Festival in Cebu City

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Dancers in bright costumes during the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City
345,232 views

Sinulog Festival in Cebu City

View 967 comments

The Culture and Traditions

Fiestas, music, food, and a lot of teasing. Bisaya families are known for being expressive and quick to laugh, and so much of that humour only works in Bisaya.
10:32••••
DDialecto
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Tagalog

Umuulan na! Bawal ang tricycle dito sa highway. Ano ang sasakyan mo?

Cebuano

Mosakay kog bus para di ko basa.

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🌐
Tagalog

Umuulan na! Bawal ang tricycle dito sa highway. Ano ang sasakyan mo?

Cebuano

Mosakay kog bus para di ko basa.

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Why is Cebuano Unique?

Cebuano is direct, musical, and full of expressions that do not translate. Learning it means you finally get the joke at the family table instead of waiting for someone to explain it.
Start Your First Lesson Now

Why Learn to Speak Cebuano?

Cebuano opens doors, sparks conversations, and connects you to a whole way of life.

10:32••••
🔥 45⚡ 2,500♥ 5
REVIEWER

UNIT 1

Basic Cebuano Phrases

🏁 LAYUNIN

Learn how 20 million Bisaya speakers greet, laugh, and show love — and why Cebuano is its own language, not a dialect of Filipino.

Mga Sukaranan nga Hugpong sa Pulong

👋Kumusta / KamustaHello / How are you?
🌅Maayong buntagGood morning
☀️Maayong haponGood afternoon
🌙Maayong gabiGood evening
🙏SalamatThank you
FAMILYWords that land at home
👋Kumusta / Kamustaku-MUS-ta / ka-MUS-taHello / How are you?
🌅Maayong buntagma-AY-ong bun-TAGGood morning
☀️Maayong haponma-AY-ong HA-ponGood afternoon

👵"Bitaw!"

For Family

Cebuano is the language of reunions, family group chats, and every Bisaya joke you've laughed at a second too late. Learning it means you finally get what your uncle keeps saying and you can actually talk to your lola.
Start Speaking It Now
10:32••••

Tulay

EnglishCebuano

English

Hello / How are you?

Cebuano

Kumusta / Kamusta

ku-MUS-ta / ka-MUS-ta

TRANSLATOREnglish → Cebuano

You say

Cebuano

Kumusta / Kamusta

ku-MUS-ta / ka-MUS-ta

Tap to hear how a local would say it

For Going Home

Cebuano turns a visit to the province into more than nodding along. Order without pointing, chat at the market, and actually understand what the habal-habal driver just said.
10:32••••
🔥 45⚡ 2,500♥ 5
REVIEWER

UNIT 1

Basic Cebuano Phrases

🏁 LAYUNIN

Learn how 20 million Bisaya speakers greet, laugh, and show love — and why Cebuano is its own language, not a dialect of Filipino.

Mga Sukaranan nga Hugpong sa Pulong

👋Kumusta / KamustaHello / How are you?
🌅Maayong buntagGood morning
☀️Maayong haponGood afternoon
🌙Maayong gabiGood evening
🙏SalamatThank you
REVIEWERUNIT 1 · Basic Cebuano Phrases
👋Kumusta / Kamustaku-MUS-ta / ka-MUS-taHello / How are you?
🌅Maayong buntagma-AY-ong bun-TAGGood morning
☀️Maayong haponma-AY-ong HA-ponGood afternoon
🌙Maayong gabima-AY-ong GA-biGood evening

🎌"Amping": The Cebuano Way of Caring

When Cebuanos say goodbye they often say "Amping" — roughly, "Take care of yourself." It reflects pagtagad: looking out for the people around you.

For Culture

Cebuano is where the best Bisaya songs, movies, memes, and one-liners actually live. Once you understand it, you laugh at a joke the second it lands.
Start Your First Lesson Now
10:32••••
💬 PRACTICE

Gamitin ang iyong natutunang wika!

Nakahimamat ka ug bisita sa Cebu.

🧑‍💼 Bisita

Excuse me, how are you?

Tubaga sa Cebuano...

SCENARIONakahimamat ka ug bisita sa Cebu.
🧑‍💼 BisitaExcuse me, how are you?
YouMaayo ra ko, salamat! Kumusta ka?
WikaEnd with "Amping!" when you part ways — it means "take care" and lands as genuine care.

For Work

Cebuano opens doors in meetings, small talk, and everything in between. It's the language of some of the busiest, fastest-growing business hubs in the country, and speaking even a little of it shows clients and teammates you're actually paying attention.

How To Learn Cebuano

If you're starting from zero, Wika gets you going with the fundamentals first.

10:32••••
🔥 45⚡ 2,500♥ 5
REVIEWER

UNIT 1

Basic Cebuano Phrases

🏁 LAYUNIN

Learn how 20 million Bisaya speakers greet, laugh, and show love — and why Cebuano is its own language, not a dialect of Filipino.

Mga Sukaranan nga Hugpong sa Pulong

👋Kumusta / KamustaHello / How are you?
🌅Maayong buntagGood morning
☀️Maayong haponGood afternoon
🌙Maayong gabiGood evening
🙏SalamatThank you
REVIEWERUNIT 1 · Greetings
👋Kumusta / Kamustaku-MUS-ta / ka-MUS-taHello / How are you?
🌅Maayong buntagma-AY-ong bun-TAGGood morning
☀️Maayong haponma-AY-ong HA-ponGood afternoon
🌙Maayong gabima-AY-ong GA-biGood evening
🙏Salamatsa-LA-matThank you

Greetings and Polite Words

Start with the basics you'll use in every single conversation, like hello, thank you, and the polite words locals notice right away.
Start Speaking It Now
10:32••••
💬 PRACTICE

Gamitin ang iyong natutunang wika!

Nakahimamat ka ug bisita sa Cebu.

🧑‍💼 Bisita

Excuse me, how are you?

Tubaga sa Cebuano...

PRACTICESay it in your own words
Excuse me, how are you?

Tubaga sa Cebuano...

SUBMIT

💡 Halimbawang Sagot

Maayo ra ko, salamat! Kumusta ka?

Introducing Yourself

Learn to share your name, where you're from, and a little about yourself, so you can hold your own the moment someone asks.
10:32••••
♥ 5

Unsa ang buot pasabot sa "Good morning?"

Pilia ang husto nga tubag!

AMaayong gabi
BMaayong buntag
CMaayong hapon
DMaayong adlaw
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Unsa ang buot pasabot sa "Good morning?"

AMaayong gabi
BMaayong buntag
CMaayong hapon
DMaayong adlaw
Lami kaayo! You're doing great!

Everyday Words You'll Use

Pick up the common words that show up everywhere — at home, at the market, and in daily conversation, so things start to click faster.
Start Your First Lesson Now
DDialectoCebuano
Kumusta! Andam ka na ba mag-praktis ug Cebuano?Oo! Teach me one warm phrase.Try "Maayong buntag" for good morning — stress the AY.Maayong buntag!Bitaw! That was clean. 🎉
Type or tap the mic…
DIALECTOAsk, answer, repeat
Kumusta! Andam ka na ba mag-praktis ug Cebuano?Oo! Teach me one warm phrase.Try "Maayong buntag" for good morning — stress the AY.Maayong buntag!Bitaw! That was clean. 🎉

Basic Questions and Answers

Put it all together by learning to ask and answer simple questions in Cebuano — the kind that turn a one-word exchange into an actual conversation.
10:32••••

UNIT 1

The Foundation

Basic Cebuano Phrases

LAKBAYUNIT 1 · The Foundation

UNIT 1

Basic Cebuano Phrases

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Your Cebuano Learning Path

Wika builds one short lesson at a time — kumusta, reviewer, practice, scenario, recap — so Cebuano stops being a subject and starts being something you can actually use.
See Your First Unit

What you'll learn in Cebuano

Short lessons, one step at a time: kumusta, reviewer, practice, scenario, recap.

  1. 01

    Greetings and polite words

    Hello, thank you, and the respectful words elders notice first.

  2. 02

    Introducing yourself

    Your name, where your family is from, and a little about you, in Cebuano.

  3. 03

    Everyday words

    The words that come up at home, at the market, and at the family table.

  4. 04

    Questions and answers

    Simple questions and replies that turn a one-word exchange into a conversation.

  5. 05

    Family and respect

    How to talk to lolas, titos, and cousins in Cebuano, with the right level of respect.

  6. 06

    Real conversations

    Practise everyday situations with Dialecto, Wika's conversation partner, on the paid plans.

Learn Cebuano as an Experience

Designed for Heritage learners, families, and anyone reconnecting with Cebuano.

Wika app feed screen showing language learning feed
App feed screenshot
Dialecto conversational AI mascot

Talk to Dialecto, Your Conversational Companion

Meet Dialecto , your ultimate judgment-free practice buddy that helps you speak through everyday real-world situations and master local expressions.

Try Dialecto now
Wika app language learning loop screen
Language selection screenshot

Personalized Dynamic Learning Loop

Say goodbye to generic lessons. Wika builds a path tailored completely to you, matching your personal goals whether you're talking to family or visiting the province.

01
Stage 1: Common Greetings & Salutations
02
Stage 2: Family & Respect for Elders
03
Stage 3: Street Food & Markets
Wika app community map screen showing gamified progression
Community screenshot

Gamified Level Progression

Climb the ranks from beginner to fluent. Earn XP, unlock digital achievements, and rise to the top of competitive weekly leagues.

Built with native speakers

Cebuano sounds different from town to town and family to family. That's why Wika's Cebuano course is reviewed by people who grew up speaking it.

Speak Cebuano? Become a Wika Contributor
  • Native Cebuano speakers check words, phrases, and recordings.
  • Corrections from the community go back into the lessons.
  • Every contributor helps keep Cebuano alive for the next generation.

Cebuano questions, answered

The things people ask before starting Cebuano.

Is Cebuano free to learn on Wika?

Yes, it's free to start. Wika is free to download, and core Cebuano lessons, streaks, missions, the dictionary, and rank progression are free to use. Conversation practice with Dialecto comes with the optional paid plans. Read the subscription terms

Is Bisaya the same as Cebuano?

Yes. Bisaya and Binisaya are names many speakers use for Cebuano. Wika's course teaches the same language, whichever name your family uses.

Can I learn on Android?

Yes. Wika is on Google Play for Android phones and tablets, and on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. Get it on Google Play

How long does it take to learn Cebuano?

It depends on where you start and how often you practise. Lessons are short enough to fit into a few minutes a day, and Wika places you at the right level, whether you're a complete beginner or a heritage learner who understands more Cebuano than you speak.

I understand some Cebuano but can't speak it. Is Wika for me?

Yes. That's who Wika is built for: heritage learners and families reconnecting with Cebuano. You can start from the basics or move quickly through what you already know.

Who checks the Cebuano lessons?

Native Cebuano speakers review the words, phrases, and recordings so every lesson sounds like home. If you speak Cebuano, you can help as a Wika Contributor. Be a Wika Contributor

Ready to Find Your Voice?

Wika is live on the App Store and Google Play — download it free and start speaking like a local today!

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