Learn how to describe someone’s attitude in Cebuano! ✨
In this lesson, you will:
- Learn common Cebuano words for describing attitudes and personality (helpful, respectful, friendly, joyful, etc.)
- Understand Filipino culture through everyday expressions
- Practice dialogues with natural examples you can use in real life
This video is perfect for beginners who want to explore the Filipino way of life while learning Cebuano.
VOCABULARY
kaayo
Meaning (EN): very; extremely; really; so (degree intensifier)
Part of speech: adverb (degree/intensifier)
Usage & nuance:
- Placed after adjectives/adverbs/verb phrases: init kaayo (very hot), ganahan kaayo ko (I really like it).
- Common with softeners/intensifiers: kaayo jud/gyud (really very), kaayo na (so/now very).
- Negative pattern: dili/wala kaayo = “not very (much).”
- Texting spellings: kaau/kyu; avoid in formal writing.
- Don’t confuse with Tagalog kayo (“you [plural]”).
Example sentences:
- Init kaayo karon. — It’s very hot today.
- Lami kaayo ni nga longganisa. — This sausage is very tasty.
- Dili kaayo ko ganahan og tam-is. — I don’t like sweets very much.
- Salamat kaayo sa imong tabang. — Thank you very much for your help.
- Gwapa kaayo ka karon. — You look very beautiful today.
apo
Meaning (EN): grandchild; grandson/granddaughter; (by extension) descendant
Part of speech: noun (also used as a term of address to one’s grandchild)
Usage & nuance:
- The everyday word for a grandchild. Plural: mga apo (“grandchildren”).
- To specify whose grandchild: apo ni + name / apo sa + person (e.g., apo ni Mang Jose).
- apo sa tuhod = great-grandchild; apo sa tuhod sa tuhod = great-great-grandchild.
- Related: apohan = grandparent/ancestor; kaapohan = descendants/grandchildren collectively.
Example sentences:
- Pila ka apo nimo? — How many grandchildren do you have?
- Si Ken apo ni Mang Jose. — Ken is Mang Jose’s grandchild.
- Nalipay kaayo ang lola sa iyang mga apo. — Grandma is very happy with her grandchildren.
- Natawo ang among apo sa tuhod niadtong Hulyo. — Our great-grandchild was born in July.
mga apo
Meaning (EN): grandchildren (plural of apo, “grandchild”)
Part of speech: noun phrase (plural; mga = plural marker)
Usage & nuance:
- Used for one’s grandchildren collectively: akong mga apo (“my grandchildren”), mga apo ni Lola (“Grandma’s grandchildren”).
- Common in family contexts, introductions, and proud statements by grandparents.
- Related terms: apo (grandchild), apo sa tuhod (great-grandchild).
Example sentences:
- Nalipay kaayo ko sa akong mga apo. — I am very happy with my grandchildren.
- Pila ka buok ang imong mga apo? — How many grandchildren do you have?
- Nagtapok ang mga apo ni Lolo kada Domingo. — Grandpa’s grandchildren gather every Sunday.
manghayhay
Meaning (EN): to hang out / air-dry (laundry, fabrics); to spread something out flat (to dry/expose to sun/wind)
Part of speech: verb (actor-focus); related patient-focus ihayhay “to hang/spread (it) out”; gerund pag-hayhay “the act of airing/hanging”
Usage & nuance:
- Very common for laundry: manghayhay og sinina/habol/lampin (“hang out clothes/blankets/diapers”).
- Also used for laying mats or nets flat: manghayhay og banig/ pukot.
- Aspect forms: nanghayhay (was/is hanging out), manghayhay (will/usually hang out).
- Place/thing terms: hayhayan = clothesline; hayhayanan = place/area for hanging.
- ⚠️ Different from hayahay (“comfortable/easy life”).
Example sentences:
- Manghayhay ko og sinina sa gawas human manglaba. — I’ll hang the clothes outside after washing.
- Nanghayhay sila og banig sa baybayon. — They spread out a mat on the beach.
- Ihayhay ang mga habol aron dali mauga. — Hang the blankets so they dry quickly.
tabangan
Meaning (EN): to be helped / to help (someone) [patient-focus]; sometimes “to be ganged up on” (contextual)
Part of speech: verb (patient/benefactive-focus, -an form of tabang “help”)
Usage & nuance:
- Patient-focus pattern: tabangan + (ang/si + person) → “to help (that person).”
- Common forms: tabangan (will be helped), gitabangan (was helped), tabangi (imperative: “help [him/her]”), mutabang/nitabang (actor-focus “to help”).
- Caution (negative sense): gitabangan can also mean “they ganged up on (someone).” Context decides whether it’s helpful or hostile.
- Related: tabang (n. help/assistance), mangayo og tabang (to ask for help), nagtinabangay (helping one another).
Example sentences:
- Tabangan nato ang biktima karon. — Let us help the victim now.
- Tabangan ko nimo ugma sa paghipos? — Will you help me tomorrow with the cleaning?
- Gitabangan siya sa iyang mga silingan sa pag-ayo sa atop. — He/She was helped by the neighbors to fix the roof.
- Gitabangan siya sa mga kontra sa dula. — They ganged up on him/her in the game.
lingkod
Meaning (EN): to sit; to be seated (also used as an imperative “sit down”)
Part of speech: verb (intransitive); imperative
Usage & nuance:
- Very common for offers/requests: Palihog lingkod. (“Please sit.”) / Lingkod sa/una (“Sit for a bit/first.”)
- Aspect forms you’ll hear: molingkod (will sit), nilingkod / milingkod (sat), naglingkod (is/was sitting).
- Related forms: lingkuranan (noun: seat/chair), palingkora / ipalingkod (causative: “make someone sit / seat someone”).
- Contrast: barog / tindog = to stand (up).
Example sentences:
- Palihog lingkod dinhi. — Please sit here.
- Naglingkod mi samtang naghulat sa bus. — We were sitting while waiting for the bus.
- Molingkod sa ko kay gikapoy akong tiil. — I’ll sit for a moment because my feet are tired.
pagaksa (from root gakos)
Meaning (EN): to hug, to embrace (usually wrapping both arms around someone)
Part of speech: verb (actor-focus imperative pag-); noun gakos “a hug, an embrace”
Usage & nuance:
- Physical affection: Most common use, e.g., hugging friends, family, lovers. Nag-gakos ko sa akong mama pagkahuman sa klase. (“I hugged my mom after class.”)
- Comfort/consolation: Hugging to provide emotional support. Gi-gakos nako siya aron mahibalik ang iyang kusog. (“I hugged him/her to give comfort.”)
- Playful/casual: Hugging among friends or kids. Gakson tika gamay, lingaw ra.
(“I’ll hug you a little, just for fun.”) - Causative: paaksa (“have/make [someone] carry [someone/something] on the back”).
- Contrast: gakos is usually gentle, warm, and affectionate; akos/akus (carrying a baby or small child) is more about holding/carrying than hugging.
Example sentences:
- Mogakos ko nimo. – I will hug you.
- Nag-gakos sila pagkita nila. — They are hugging.
- Gi-gakos nako siya pag-ayo. — I hugged him/her tightly.
- Ang pag-gakos usa ka timaan sa gugma. — Hugging is a sign of love.
alangan
Meaning (EN):
- of course; naturally; “what else (did you expect)?” (exclamatory/ironic)
- (it’s) only proper / I have no choice but… (expresses obligation due to circumstances)
- awkward/iffy; in-between; at an inconvenient time (contextual, about timing/situation)
Part of speech: discourse particle/interjection; predicate adjective (contextual)
Usage & nuance:
- As a reply or sentence-initial particle, Alangan! conveys emphatic agreement or “obviously.”
- With og/nga/man/sad, it often softens an explanation of obligation or inevitability: Alangan og … (“Naturally I must… / Would you expect me not to…?”).
- Describing situations/times, alangan means awkward / not ideal (e.g., very late/early hours, tight circumstances).
Example sentences:
- Alangan! — Of course! / Naturally!
- Alangan og dili ko motabang; silingan baya ta. — Of course I’ll help; we’re neighbors after all.
- Alangan kaayo ang oras sa miting—alas-3 sa kaadlawon. — The meeting time is really awkward—3 a.m.
FLASHCARDS
DIALOGUE PRACTICE
Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.
Situation: Ted is visiting his grandmother in his hometown.
Cebuano
Ted: Hi, Lolaaa! Bless ko. (kiss)
Lola: Apo ko! Kumusta naman ka? (kisses)
Ted: Okay kaayo ko, lola. Ikaw? Kumusta man ka dinhi?
Lola: Okay ra ko apo. Manghayhay ko padulong.
Ted: Tabangan tika lola. Lingkod lang diha.
Lola: Matinabangon jud ni akong apo oi. Salamat dong.
Ted: Okay ra la.
Lola: Mana ka og kaon?
Ted: O mana la.
Ted: Pagaksa ko la. Gimingaw jud ko nimo.
Lola: Hahaha paraygon jud gihapon ka.
Ted: Alangan. Dugay na ta wala nagkita.
English
Ted: Hi, Grandma!
Lola: Oh my grandson! How are you?
Ted: I’m really okay, Grandma. And you? How are you doing here?
Lola: I’m okay, grandson. I’m going to hang clothes.
Ted: I’m going to help you, Grandma. Just sit there.
Lola: My grandson is really helpful. Thank you.
Ted: It’s okay, Grandma.
Lola: Have you already eaten?
Ted: Yes, I’ve already eaten.
Ted: Let me hug you, Grandma. I really miss you.
Lola: Hahaha, you’re still clingy.
Ted: Of course. We haven’t met for a while.
LESSON
Cebuano people are known for having good traits/attitudes. Let’s learn the different attitudes of Filipinos.
Traits/attitude + S
⚫ Matinabangon
Helpful
A common attitude among Filipinos is that they help other people.
For example:
Matinabangon jud ni akong apo oi.
My grandson is really helpful.
⚫ Matinahuron
respectful
“Mano po” or “Bless” is a Filipino culture to show respect to elders.
For example:
Matinahuron ang akong mga apo.
My grandchildren are respectful.
⚫ Kugihan
Industrious/Hardworking
This is an attitude in which parents teach their children to be industrious/hardworking at a younger age. Parents teach their children to do household chores and complete their tasks every day.
For example:
Kugihan ang mga bata.
The children are industrious.
⚫ Maatimanunon/maabiabihon
Caring/Hospitable
Filipinos are very hospitable towards visitors. They entertain visitors well to have a comfortable stay in the house. Of course, that includes delicious food.
For example:
Maatimanunon ang pamilya nila.
Their family is hospitable.
⚫ Barkadista/ Mahigalaon
Friendly
This is a well-known attitude of Filipinos. They are friendly to everyone. They show kindness and are always smiling.
For example:
Mahigalaon ang akong igsuon.
My sibling is friendly.
⚫ Mahigugmaon
Loving
Filipino people show their love not only to their family and relatives but also to their friends, co-workers, pets, etc. They are vocal about their feelings.
For example:
Mahigugmaon ang akong pamilya.
My family is loving.
⚫ Paraygon
Affectionate/ Clingy
You can see people on the street being clingy or affectionate, but that’s how they show their love towards their loved ones. You can see people walking hand in hand, arm in arm, etc.
For example:
Paraygon ang akong uyab.
My girlfriend is clingy.
⚫ Malipayon
Joyful/ Happy
One of the best things to do is to be happy no matter what. You may notice people are still smiling even with such problems. In addition, you can see people are joyful at the festival, parties, etc.
For example:
Malipayon ang mga tawo.
People are happy.
COMPREHENSION QUIZ
Directions: Choose the correct answer.
- What do you say when you want to show respect?
a. Bahala ka.
b. Bless/ Mano po.
c. Kugihan
d. Paraygon - What attitude describes children doing their household chores?
a. maatimanunon
b. mahigugmaon
c. paraygon
d. kugihan - How do you say ‘clingy’ in Cebuano?
a. maatimanunon
b. mahigugmaon
c. paraygon
d. kugihan - Are Filipino people helpful?
a. O
b. dili
c. wala
d. ayaw - How do you say “grandson” in Cebuano?
a. apa
b. apo
c. ako
d. ato
EXERCISE
Arrange the words to make sentences.
- akong / ni / matinabangon / apo / jud / oi
- gihapon / paraygon / ka / jud
- akong / ang / mahigugmaon / pamilya
- ang / igsuon / akong / mahigalaon
- mga / bata / ang / kugihan
REVIEW
Directions: Describe your family’s attitude.
For example:
Mahigugmaon ang akong pamilya.
My family is loving.
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