Hello, there!
Welcome to our lesson on Cebuano! Today, we’ll dive into “10 Basic Cebuano Emotion Words: Express Your Feelings Easily!” Together, we’ll explore simple yet powerful words to express emotions in Cebuano. Let’s learn and enjoy improving our language skills step by step. Ready to begin? Let’s get started!
*This learning material is designed with the assumption that you will be having lessons with Filipino wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, friends, or language teachers.

Let’s review this video lesson!
In this lesson, you will;
1: Learn the different emotions or feelings in Cebuano.
2: Be able to express your emotions or feelings.
Vocabulary
Meaning:
“Malipayon” translates to “cheerful”, “joyful”, or “happy” in English. It is used to describe a person, situation, or general state that is characterized by happiness or positivity.
Part of Speech:
- Adjective
- Function: Describes a person, state, or condition as being cheerful or happy.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Describing a Person’s Disposition:
- Describing Events or Moments:
- Expressing Gratitude or Positive Sentiments:
Examples in Sentences:
- Ang malipayon nga pamilya mao’y pinaka-importante.
(A happy family is the most important thing.) - Malipayon kaayo ang mga bata sa ilang dula.
(The children are very happy with their game.) - Dili lisod ang kinabuhi kung ikaw malipayon.
(Life isn’t hard if you’re happy.)
Related Words:
- Nalipay
- Kalipay
- Meaning: Happiness, joy.
- Example: Ang kalipay dili mapalit.
(Happiness cannot be bought.)
- Pagkamalipayon
- Meaning: Cheerfulness, joyfulness (quality of being happy).
- Example: Ang pagkamalipayon mahinungdanon/importante sa maayong relasyon.
(Cheerfulness is important in a good relationship.)
Meaning:
“Nagguol” translates to “worried”, “sad”, or “troubled” in English. It describes a state of feeling emotionally distressed, anxious, or upset about something.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Progressive Tense, Stative)
- Function: Expresses the emotional state of worry or sadness, either happening currently or in the past.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing Worry or Concern:
- Describes a feeling of being troubled about a situation or event.
- Example:
- Nagguol ko sa iyang kahimtang.
(I’m worried about his/her condition.)
- Nagguol ko sa iyang kahimtang.
- Describing Sadness:
- Talking About Stressful Situations:
Examples in Sentences:
- Nagguol ang ginikanan kay wala pa nauli ang ilang anak.
(The parents are worried because their child hasn’t come home yet.) - Nagguol siya sa iyang trabaho.
(He/She is worried about his/her work.) - Dili na ko gusto nga magguol ka bahin niini.
(I don’t want you to worry about this anymore.)
Related Words:
- Guol
- Meaning: Worry, sadness. (Noun form of the emotion)
- Example: Ang iyang guol makita sa iyang nawong.
(His/Her worry is visible on his/her face.)
- Maguol
- Kasubo
- Meaning: Grief, sorrow. (More formal or poetic word for sadness)
- Example: Ang kasubo sa iyang nawong mao’y nagpaila sa iyang gibati.
(The sorrow on her face revealed her feelings.)
Meaning:
“Nasuko” translates to “angry” or “upset” in English. It describes a state of being emotionally upset, mad, or irritated about something.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Stative)
- Function: Indicates the state of having become angry or being angry in the past or present.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing Anger or Irritation:
- Describing a Reaction to a Situation:
- Apologizing or Reconciling:
Examples in Sentences:
- Nasuko siya sa iyang kauban tungod sa kasaypanan.
(He/She got angry with a coworker because of the mistake.) - Nasuko kaayo ang akong amahan kay wala ko nitarung(nagtarung) sa akong mga buluhaton.
(My father was very angry because I didn’t do my tasks properly.) - Ngano nasuko ka? Wala man ko magbinuang.
(Why are you angry? I wasn’t joking around.)
Related Words:
- Suko
- Meaning: Anger, rage. (Noun form)
- Example: Ang iyang suko makita sa iyang nawong.
(His/Her anger is visible on his/her face.)
- Masuko
- Kaligutgot
- Meaning: Resentment, annoyance. (More formal or poetic)
- Example: Ang iyang kaligutgot wala gyud mawala.
(His/Her resentment never went away.)
Meaning:
“Naglagot” translates to “angry”, “annoyed”, or “irritated” in English. It specifically describes a strong feeling of frustration, annoyance, or anger towards someone or something.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Progressive Tense, Stative)
- Function: Expresses the state of being angry, annoyed, or irritated, either currently or in the past.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing Intense Annoyance:
- Describes a heightened state of irritation, stronger than casual anger.
- Example:
- Naglagot ko kay walay respeto ang uban.
(I’m annoyed because others have no respect.)
- Naglagot ko kay walay respeto ang uban.
- Reacting to Disrespect or Inconvenience:
- Describing an Emotional Response to Repeated Issues:
Examples in Sentences:
- Naglagot ko nga wala nimo gituman ang imong saad.
(I’m angry that you didn’t fulfill your promise.) - Naglagot siya kay wala niya mahuman ang iyang trabaho tungod sa samok.
(She got annoyed because she couldn’t finish her work due to distractions.) - Ngano man naglagot ka? Wala man ko magbinuang.
(Why are you irritated? I wasn’t joking around.)
Related Words:
- Lagot
- Meaning: Anger, annoyance. (Noun form)
- Example: Makita sa iyang nawong ang iyang lagot.
(You can see his/her anger on their face.)
- Maglagot
- Nasuko
Meaning:
“Nahadlok” translates to “afraid”, “scared”, or “frightened” in English. It describes a state of fear or being startled by something.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Stative Tense)
- Function: Expresses the feeling of fear or being frightened that has occurred or is happening.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Describing a Past Experience of Fear:
- Expressing Fear in the Present Moment:
- Can describe an ongoing state of fear.
- Example:
- Nahadlok siya nga basin masuko ang iyang ginikanan.
(She is afraid that her parents might get angry.)
- Nahadlok siya nga basin masuko ang iyang ginikanan.
- In Storytelling or Narratives:
Examples in Sentences:
- Nahadlok ang iro sa dalugdog.
(The dog was scared of the thunder.) - Nahadlok ko nga mawala ang akong trabaho.
(I’m afraid I might lose my job.) - Nahadlok siya pagtan-aw sa dako nga iro.
(She got scared when she saw the big dog.)
Related Words:
- Hadlok
- Meaning: Fear, fright, or scary. (Noun or Adjective form)
- Example: Ang hadlok dili makatabang sa imong desisyon.
(Fear doesn’t help in your decision.)
- Mahadlok
- Meaning: To become afraid or scared. (Future or Intentional tense)
- Example: Dili ka angay mahadlok sa pagsulay.
(You shouldn’t be afraid of challenges.)
- Nakuyawan
Meaning:
“Naghinamhinam” translates to “eager”, “excited”, or “looking forward to” in English. It describes a state of enthusiasm, anticipation, or excitement about something.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Progressive Tense)
- Function: Expresses the feeling of excitement or anticipation that has occurred or is ongoing.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing Excitement About an Upcoming Event:
- Showing Enthusiasm for Something Desired:
- Describing Anticipation in Storytelling or Narratives:
Examples in Sentences:
- Naghinamhinam na ang tanan sa pista.
(Everyone is excited about the festival.) - Naghinamhinam mi nga mokaon sa lami nga pagkaon.
(We are looking forward to eating delicious food.) - Naghinamhinam siya nga motan-aw sa salida unya.
(He/She is excited to watch the movie later.)
Related Words:
- Hinamhinam
- Meaning: Excitement, eagerness. (Noun form)
- Example: Makita sa iyang nawong ang hinamhinam.
(You can see the excitement on his/her face.)
- Maghinamhinam
- Nalipay
Meaning:
“Nabalaka” translates to “worried”, “concerned”, or “anxious” in English. It describes a state of being troubled or uneasy about something.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Stative Tense)
- Function: Expresses the feeling of worry or concern that has occurred or is ongoing.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing Worry About Someone or Something:
- Describes being concerned about the well-being of a person or the outcome of a situation.
- Example:
- Nabalaka ko sa imong kahimtang.
(I was worried about your condition.)
- Nabalaka ko sa imong kahimtang.
- Feeling Uneasy Due to Uncertainty:
- Used when describing anxiety caused by an unknown outcome or event.
- Example:
- Nabalaka siya sa resulta sa eksamin.
(He/She was worried about the exam results.)
- Nabalaka siya sa resulta sa eksamin.
- Narrating Concerns in a Story:
Examples in Sentences:
- Nabalaka ko nga wala ka motubag sa akong mga tawag.
(I was worried that you didn’t answer my calls.) - Nabalaka siya tungod sa kalit nga pagbagyo.
(He/She was worried because of the sudden storm.) - Ayaw kabalaka, kay naa ra ko kanunay.
(Don’t worry, because I’m always here.)
Related Words:
- Balaka
- Meaning: Worry, concern. (Noun form)
- Example: Ang iyang balaka makita sa iyang nawong.
(His/Her worry is visible on his/her face.)
- Mabalaka
- Nagguol
- Meaning: Worried, upset, or troubled. (Similar but slightly stronger emotional state)
- Example: Nagguol siya sa mga panghitabo.
(She was upset about the events.)
nauwaw – embarrassed/shy/ashamed
Meaning:
“Nauwaw” translates to “embarrassed”, “shy”, or “ashamed” in English. It describes a feeling of discomfort or self-consciousness due to a specific situation or interaction.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Stative Tense)
- Function: Expresses the state of feeling embarrassed, shy, or ashamed that has occurred or is ongoing.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing Embarrassment:
- Describing Shyness:
- Feeling Ashamed:
Examples in Sentences:
- Nauwaw siya nga magpangutana sa iyang maestro.
(She was shy to ask her teacher a question.) - Nauwaw ko sa akong sayop.
(I am embarrassed by my mistake.) - Ngano man nauwaw ka sa ilang atubangan?
(Why were you shy in front of them?)
Related Words:
- Uwaw
- Meaning: Shyness, embarrassment, or shame. (Noun form)
- Example: Ang iyang nawong napuno sa uwaw.
(His/Her face was full of embarrassment.)
- Mauwaw
- Nakurat
Meaning:
“Nahigugma” translates to “in love” or “loved” in English. It describes the state of having felt deep affection, love, or romantic feelings for someone or something.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Stative Tense)
- Function: Expresses the emotional state of being in love or having loved someone/something.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing Romantic Love:
- Talking About Love for Family or Friends:
- Expressing Love for Abstract Things:
- Used to show a deep connection or passion for hobbies, places, or concepts.
- Example:
- Nahigugma ko sa musika.
(I fell in love with music.)
- Nahigugma ko sa musika.
Examples in Sentences:
- Nahigugma siya sa iyang higala nga dugay na niyang kaila.
(She fell in love with her friend whom she has known for a long time.) - Nahigugma mi sa talagsaong kaanyag sa lugar.
(We fell in love with the unique beauty of the place.) - Ngano man nahigugma ka kaniya bisan lisod siya higugmaon?
(Why did you fall in love with him/her even though they’re hard to love?)
Related Words:
- Gugma
- Meaning: Love, affection. (Noun form)
- Example: Ang gugma mao ang magapadayon.
(Love is what will endure.)
- Mahigugma
- Nahiguma
Meaning:
“Nasuya” translates to “jealous” or “envious” in English. It describes a feeling of wanting what someone else has, or feeling resentment due to comparison.
Part of Speech:
- Verb (Past or Stative Tense)
- Function: Expresses the state of having felt jealousy or envy.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing Envy Toward Someone’s Success or Possessions:
- Describing Jealousy in Relationships:
- Talking About Comparison:
Examples in Sentences:
- Nasuya ko sa imong kaalam/salabotan/kabrayt ug talento.
(I’m envious of your intelligence and talent.) - Nasuya siya sa ilang silingan nga adunay maayong trabaho.
(He was envious of their neighbor who had a good job.) - Ngano man nasuya ka kaniya nga nagpaningkamot man siya?
(Why are you jealous of him/her when they worked hard?)
Related Words:
- Suya
- Meaning: Jealousy, envy. (Noun form)
- Example: Ang suya dili magdala ug kalinaw.
(Envy does not bring peace.)
- Masuya
- Pagkasuya
- Meaning: The state of jealousy or envy.
- Example: Ang pagkasuya mao ang magaguba sa relasyon.
(Jealousy is what ruins relationships.)
Meaning:
“Kalibangon” translates to “needing to defecate” or “having the urge to poop” in English. It describes the physical feeling or urge to relieve oneself.
Part of Speech:
- Adjective
- Function: Describes the state of feeling the need to defecate.
Situations in Which It Is Used:
- Expressing a Physical Urge:
- Casual Conversations About Discomfort:
- Referring to a Sudden Urge:
Examples in Sentences: