CEBUANO LESSON #47 Learn Cebuano: How to Say “I Love You” and Express Feelings

Learn Cebuano easily with this beginner-friendly lesson!
In this video, you will discover how to express your feelings in Cebuano, including romantic phrases and everyday expressions of love.

You will learn useful Cebuano phrases such as:
✔️ Gihigugma tika – I love you
✔️ Gimingaw ko nimo – I miss you
✔️ Ganahan ko nimo – I like you
✔️ Gwapa kaayo ka – You’re so beautiful
✔️ Ikaw ra jud akoa – You’re the one

This lesson is perfect for:
✔️ Beginners who want to learn Cebuano / Bisaya phrases
✔️ Couples and partners in long-distance relationships
✔️ Anyone who wants to learn how to express love and emotions in Cebuano

By the end of this video, you’ll know how to say “I love you” in Cebuano and use many romantic expressions naturally in daily conversation.

VOCABULARY

Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.

Nako

Meaning

• Nako has several meanings depending on context:
  1. “my” / “mine” → possessive pronoun.
  2. “me / to me” → object pronoun.
  3. Sometimes just marks the speaker in casual speech.

Part of Speech

• Pronoun (first person singular).

Usage / Context

• Very common in everyday Cebuano.
• Shows possession (akong libro = my book → libro nako = my book).
• Functions as “me” in many verb constructions (ihatag nako = give to me).

Example Sentences

1. Libros nako ni.
   → This is my book.
2. Ihatag nako ang susi.
   → Give me the key.
3. Gipangita ko nako akong cellphone.
   → I was looking for my cellphone.

Ko / Ako

Meaning

• Ako = “I / me.” (full form)
• Ko = shortened or enclitic form of ako, usually used inside a sentence.

Part of Speech

• Pronoun (first person singular).

Usage / Context

• Ako is often used at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis or as the subject.
• Ko is usually placed after the verb or within the predicate.
• Both are extremely common in daily Cebuano.

Example Sentences

1. Ako si Maria.
   → I am Maria.
2. Mopalit ko og isda.
   → I will buy fish.
3. Ako ang imong higala.
   → I am your friend.
4. Nakalimot ko sa akong libro.
   → I forgot my book.

Ka / Ikaw

Meaning

• Ikaw = “you” (full form, used for emphasis or at the start of a sentence).
• Ka = shortened or enclitic form of ikaw, usually used inside the sentence after the verb.

Part of Speech

• Pronoun (second person singular).

Usage / Context

• Ikaw is used when introducing or emphasizing the subject “you.”
• Ka is used after verbs or in the predicate part of the sentence.
• Both are very common in everyday Cebuano conversation.

Example Sentences

1. Ikaw ang akong higala.
   → You are my friend.
2. Asa ka moadto?
   → Where will you go?
3. Ikaw ba ang maestro?
   → Are you the teacher?
4. Ganahan ka og kape?
   → Do you like coffee?

Hinigugma

Meaning

• Hinigugma = “beloved” / “loved one” / “dear.”

Part of Speech

• Noun (person who is loved).
• Sometimes also used as an adjective (“beloved”).

Usage / Context

• Refers to someone very dear or cherished (partner, spouse, child, friend).
• Common in romantic, poetic, or affectionate contexts.
• Derived from the root gugma = “love.”

Example Sentences

1. Ikaw ang akong hinigugma.
   → You are my beloved.
2. Ang hinigugma sa tanan mao si Jesus.
   → The beloved of all is Jesus.
3. Nagpadala siya og sulat para sa iyang hinigugma.
   → He/She sent a letter to his/her beloved.

Mingaw

Meaning

• Mingaw has two main meanings depending on context:
  1. Lonely / lonesome → feeling of missing someone or being alone.
  2. Quiet / deserted → a place with few people, silent, or lacking activity.

Part of Speech

• Adjective.
• Sometimes also used as a verb (“to miss” = mingawon).

Usage / Context

• Very common in Cebuano daily life, both for emotions and for describing places.

Example Sentences

1. Mingaw kaayo ko nimo.
   → I really miss you.
2. Mingaw ang baryo kung gabii.
   → The village is quiet at night.
3. Nagmingaw siya sa iyang pamilya.
   → He/She feels lonely for (misses) his/her family.

Makabakasyon

Meaning

• Makabakasyon = “can take a vacation” / “able to go on vacation.”

Part of Speech

• Verb (potential form; from Spanish vacación = vacation).

Usage / Context

• Used when talking about the possibility or ability to take time off from work, school, or daily duties.
• Common in conversations about travel, holidays, or rest.

Example Sentences

1. Makabakasyon ko karong Pasko.
   → I can take a vacation this Christmas.
2. Kung walay trabaho, makabakasyon ta.
   → If there’s no work, we can go on vacation.
3. Dugay na siyang wala makabakasyon.
   → It’s been a long time since he/she was able to take a vacation.

Makauli

Meaning

• Makauli = “can go home” / “able to return home.”

Part of Speech

• Verb (potential form; from root uli = to go home / return).

Usage / Context

• Used when someone has the ability or opportunity to go home, often after work, travel, or being away for a long time.
• Very common in everyday Cebuano conversations about family, work, or holidays.

Example Sentences

1. Makauli ko karong weekend.
   → I can go home this weekend.
2. Kung makasakay kog bus, makauli ko sayo.
   → If I catch a bus, I can go home early.
3. Wala pa siya makauli sukad sa bagyo.
   → He/She hasn’t been able to go home since the typhoon.

Naghinamhinam

Meaning

• Naghinamhinam = “looking forward to” / “eagerly waiting for” / “excited about.”

Part of Speech

• Verb (progressive aspect; from root hinamhinam = longing, eagerness).

Usage / Context

• Used when expressing anticipation or excitement for something that will happen soon.
• Common in daily life when talking about events, visits, food, or activities one is excited for.

Example Sentences

1. Naghinamhinam ko sa akong bakasyon.
   → I am looking forward to my vacation.
2. Naghinamhinam sila nga magkita usab.
   → They are eagerly waiting to see each other again.
3. Ang bata naghinamhinam sa regalo sa Pasko.
   → The child is excited about the Christmas gift.

Balik

Meaning

• Balik = “to return” / “to go back” / “again.”

Part of Speech

• Verb or adverb (depending on usage).

Usage / Context

• As a verb → means to return or go back to a place.
• As an adverb → means “again” or “back.”
• Very common in daily Cebuano conversation, especially about going home, repeating actions, or restoring something.

Example Sentences

1. Mobalik ko sa Cebu ugma.
   → I will return to Cebu tomorrow.
2. Balik ta sa sugod.
   → Let’s go back to the beginning.
3. Ibalik ang libro sa maestra.
   → Return the book to the teacher.
4. Balik-balik lang ang iyang pangutana.
   → His/Her question is repeated again and again.

Maningkamot

Meaning

• Maningkamot = “to strive” / “to do one’s best” / “to make an effort.”

Part of Speech

• Verb (future or habitual aspect; from root tingkamot = effort).

Usage / Context

• Used when talking about trying hard, exerting effort, or working diligently to achieve something.
• Common in both everyday conversation and motivational contexts.

Example Sentences

1. Maningkamot ko nga makapasar sa exam.
   → I will strive to pass the exam.
2. Bisan lisod, maningkamot gihapon siya.
   → Even though it’s hard, he/she still tries his/her best.
3. Kung maningkamot ka, makab-ot nimo ang imong damgo.
   → If you strive, you will achieve your dream.

Makatigum

Meaning

• Makatigum = “able to save” / “can accumulate” (usually money, but also things or resources).

Part of Speech

• Verb (potential form; from root tigum = to save/collect).

Usage / Context

• Used when talking about saving money, resources, or gathering something over time.
• Very common in everyday Cebuano, especially about finances.

Example Sentences

1. Makatigum ko og kwarta para sa akong tuition.
   → I can save money for my tuition.
2. Kung magtrabaho ta ug tarong, makatigum ta.
   → If we work properly, we can save.
3. Dili siya makatigum kay sige siya’g gasto.
   → He/She cannot save because he/she always spends.

Plano

Meaning

• Plano = “plan.”

Part of Speech

• Noun (borrowed from Spanish plano = plan, design).

Usage / Context

• Refers to an arrangement, decision, or strategy someone intends to follow.
• Very common in everyday conversation when talking about future actions, goals, or schedules.
• Can also mean blueprint/design in technical contexts.

Example Sentences

1. Unsay imong plano ugma?
   → What is your plan for tomorrow?
2. Naay plano ang pamilya nga magbakasyon sa Cebu.
   → The family has a plan to vacation in Cebu.
3. Wala koy plano nga moadto karong semana.
   → I have no plan to go this week.

Dautan

Meaning

• Dautan = “bad” / “evil” / “wicked.”

Part of Speech

• Adjective.

Usage / Context

• Used to describe a person, action, or thing as morally wrong, harmful, or evil.
• Common in both everyday Cebuano conversation and in more formal/religious contexts.

Example Sentences

1. Dautan nga buhat ang pagpanglimbong.
   → Cheating is a bad deed.
2. Ayaw pagdautan sa uban.
   → Don’t be bad to others.
3. Giingon nga dautan siya, pero maayo man diay.
   → They said he was bad, but he turned out to be good.

FLASHCARDS

DIALOGUE PRACTICE

Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.
Situation: Leah is talking to her boyfriend.

Cebuano

Leah: Hi, hinigugma nako.
Dar: Hello, hinigugma nako. Kumusta man ka?
Leah: Okay ra ko. Gimingaw nako pag-ayo nimo. Kumusta man ka diha?
Dar: Maayo man. Mingaw kaayo diri.
Leah: Kanus-a ka makabakasyon?
Dar: Basin sunod tuig makauli nako diha.
Leah: Maayo nuon. Naghinamhinam nako makakita nimo og balik.
Dar: Ako sad. Gusto ko nga makauban ka hangtod sa hangtod mao nga maningkamot ko og trabaho diri aron makatigum ko og kwarta.
Leah: Salamat kaayo nga apil ko sa imong mga plano.
Dar: Apil man jud ka. Ikaw ra jud akoa. Mao nga ayaw paghunahuna og bisag unsa nga dautan.
Leah: Lagi. Gihigugma ko ikaw.
Dar: Gihigugma sad tika.

English

Leah: Hi, my love.
Dar: Hello, my love. How are you?
Leah: I’m okay. I miss you so much. How are you doing there?
Dar: I’m good. It’s so lonely here.
Leah: When can you have a vacation?
Dar: Maybe, I can go home next year.
Leah: That’s good. I’m excited to see you again.
Dar: Me too. I want to be with you forever, that’s why I’ll try to work here so I can save money.
Leah: Thank you so much that I’m part of your plans.
Dar: You’re part of it. You’re the one. That’s why don’t think anything bad.
Leah: Yeah. I love you.
Dar: I love you too.

LESSON

Romantic expressions
⚫ Ganahan ko nimo
I like you
⚫ Gihigugma tika
I love you
⚫ Gwapa kaayo ka.
You’re so beautiful.
⚫ Seksi kaayo ka.
You’re so sexy.
⚫ Gwapo ka.
You’re handsome.
⚫ Gimingaw ko nimo
I miss you
⚫ Nahigugma ko nimo
I’m in love with you
⚫ Ikaw ang dugay ko ng gipangita.
You’re the one I’ve been looking for.
⚫ Ikaw ra jud akoa.
You’re the one.
⚫ Gusto ko nga makauban ka hangtod sa hangtod.
I want to be with you forever.

COMPREHENSION QUIZ

Directions: Choose the correct answer.

1. How do you say ‘I want to be with you forever’ in
   Cebuano?
   a. Ikaw ang dugay ko ng gipangita
   b. Gusto ko nga makauban ka hangtod sa hangtod
   c. Gihigugma tika
   d. Gwapa kaayo ka
2. How do you say ‘I love you’ in Cebuano?
   a. Ganahan ko nimo
   b. Gwapa kaayo ka
   c. Gihigugma tika
   d. Seksi kaayo ka
3. How do you say ‘You’re so beautiful’ in Cebuano?
   a. Gimingaw ko nimo
   b. Gwapo kaayo ka
   c. Gwapa kaayo ka
   d. Nahigugma ko nimo
4. How do you say ‘you’re so sexy’ in Cebuano?
   a. Seksi kaayo ka
   b. Gwapo ka
   c. Ikaw ra jud akoa
   d. Ganahan ko nimo
5. How do you say ‘I like you’ in Cebuano?
   a. Seksi kaayo ka
   b. Gwapo ka
   c. Ikaw ra jud akoa
   d. Ganahan ko nimo

EXERCISE

Directions: Arrange the words to make sentences.

1. gipangita / ang / ng / ikaw / dugay / ko
2. hangtod / ko / sa / nga / makauban / gusto / hangtod / ka
3. kaayo / ka / gwapa
4. nimo / ko / nahigugma
5. nimo / ganahan / ko

REVIEW

Directions: Let’s practice some expressions that you’ve learned during the lesson. Express your feelings towards your loved ones.

For example:
Gihigugma tika
I love you