How to Express Your Feelings (Cebuano/Bisaya) — Learner’s Guide
This lesson helps you talk about love and emotions in natural Cebuano. You’ll learn core romantic expressions and practice using them in context so you can speak with confidence. By the end, you can say “I love you,” “I miss you,” show jealousy politely, and more.

What’s inside

• High-frequency vocabulary for relationships: uyab (boyfriend/girlfriend), relasyon (relationship), magpakasal/magminyo (to get married).
• Essential phrases with natural wording: Gimingaw jud ko nimo (I really miss you), Gihigugma ko ikaw (I love you), Nagselos ko (I’m jealous), and more.
• A short dialogue about real-life relationships (LDR, jealousy), plus a comprehension quiz and sentence-building exercises.

Use this as a quick, practical guide to express affection sincerely—and naturally—in Cebuano.

VOCABULARY

uyab

Meaning (EN): boyfriend/girlfriend; (steady) romantic partner
Part of speech: noun (gender-neutral); verb via derived forms (mag-uyab/nag-uyab “to be dating”)

Usage & nuance:

• The everyday, neutral term for a partner in a dating relationship (gender-neutral).
• Possessive use: akong uyab “my partner,” uyab ni Ana “Ana’s boyfriend/girlfriend.”
• Verb-like forms are common: nag-uyab (are dating), mag-uyab (will/plan to date).
• manguyab = “to court (someone)”; ex-uyab = ex-partner.
• For a spouse, use bána (husband) / asáwa (wife); for fiancé(e), use pamanhonon/pangasaw-onon.
• mga uyab literally means “multiple partners” (use with care—can imply cheating or different partners over time).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Naa kay uyab karon? — Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend now?
2. Si Ana akong uyab. — Ana is my partner.
3. Nag-uyab sila sukad sa 2023. — They have been dating since 2023.
4. Nanguyab siya kang Mia, pero wala siya gidawat. — He courted Mia, but she did not accept him.

malig-on (also: lig-on)

Meaning (EN): strong; sturdy; firm; stable; reliable; resilient
Part of speech: adjective (also functions as a stative/inchoative verb via mo-/ni- forms)

Usage & nuance:

• For physical sturdiness: objects/materials — malig-on nga lamesa (a sturdy table), malig-on nga simento (solid concrete).
• For figurative stability: relationships, plans, finances — malig-on nga relasyon/plano/ekonomiya (a strong relationship/plan/economy).
• Verb-like forms: molig-on “to become stronger/firm up,” nilig-on “became stronger,” naglig-on “is strengthening.”
• Related forms: kalig-on (n. strength/stability); (pa/ipa)lig-on (v. to strengthen/reinforce).
• Contrast: kusgan = physically strong (a person); malig-on/lig-on = sturdy/solid (things, systems, commitments).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Malig-on ang ilang relasyon bisan layo sila. — Their relationship is strong even though they are far apart.
2. Kinahanglan ta og malig-on nga plano sa negosyo. — We need a solid business plan.
3. Molig-on ang hangin sa hapon, busa mag-amping ta sa dagat. — The wind strengthens in the afternoon, so let’s be careful at sea.

malikayan

Meaning (EN): avoidable; can be avoided; (as a stative/patient-focus verb) “to be able to avoid”
Part of speech: adjective; stative/ability verb (patient-focus)

Usage & nuance:

• Describes that something can be prevented/avoided: Malikayan ang ___ (“___ can be avoided”).
• Very common with negation to mean unavoidable/inevitable: dili malikayan (“cannot be avoided”).
• Often used in safety, health, risk-management, and planning contexts.
• Root: likay “to avoid.” Related: paglikay (avoidance), likayan (to avoid [object-focus]).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Malikayan ang impeksiyon kung limpyo ang samad ug sakto ang pag-atiman. — The infection can be avoided if the wound is clean and properly cared for.
2. Dili malikayan ang trapiko kung ting-ulan. — Traffic is unavoidable during the rainy season.
3. Malikayan ba nato ang dako nga gasto kung magplano ta daan? — Can we avoid high costs if we plan ahead?

lisud

Meaning (EN): difficult; hard; troublesome; to have difficulty (verb-like)
Part of speech: adjective; stative/inchoative verb (e.g., naglisod, nalisdan)

Usage & nuance:

• Very common for difficulty with actions: lisud + verb → lisud sabton (“hard to understand”), lisud buhaton (“hard to do”).
• As a state: naglisod (“is having a hard time”), nalisdan (“had difficulty”).
• Intensifiers: lisud kaayo (“very hard”); opposite: sayon (“easy”).
• With activities, use sa/pag-: naglisod ko sa pagtulog / nalisdan ko sa pagpangita ug trabaho.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Lisud sabton ang iyang pasabot. — His/Her point is hard to understand.
2. Naglisod ko sa pagtulog kagabii. — I had difficulty sleeping last night.
3. Dili lisud ang leksiyon basta magpraktis ka adlaw-adlaw. — The lesson isn’t hard as long as you practice every day.
4. Nalisdan siya sa pagpangita ug trabaho. — He/She had a hard time finding a job.

layo

Meaning (EN): far; distant; far away; remote
Part of speech: adjective; adverb

Usage & nuance:

• Distance from something: layo sa/gikan sa ~ → “far from ~” (e.g., layo sa siyudad “far from the city”).
• Still far / not soon: layo pa (“still far / not yet close”).
• Figurative ‘gap’/‘not comparable’: layo ra (kaayo) = “far from / nowhere near (in level/quality/truth).”
• Intensifiers: layo kaayo (“very far”); moderated: layo-layo (“fairly far”).
• Antonym: duol (“near”).
• ⚠️ Don’t confuse with kalayo = “fire” (different word).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Layo ang among balay gikan sa estasyon. — Our house is far from the station.
2. Layo pa ang terminal? — Is the terminal still far?
3. Layo ra sa tinuod ang iyang sulti. — What he said is far from the truth.

pares

Meaning (EN):

• pair; set of two; couple
• partner/counterpart (e.g., dance partner)
• to pair up; to match/combine (things)

Part of speech: noun; verb

Usage & nuance:

• Noun (thing): usa ka pares nga ~ = “a pair of ~” (e.g., socks, shoes).
• Noun (person): pares sa sayaw/duwa = “partner in dance/game.”
• Verb (team up): magpares / nagpares = “to pair up / paired up.”
• Verb (match/serve together): ipares (sa) = “to pair/match X (with) Y” (food, clothes, ideas).
• Related: kapareha/kapariho (“counterpart/same as”), pareho/pariho (“same”).
• Note: In Tagalog, pares can also be a beef-and-rice dish; in Cebuano, pares mainly means “pair/partner.”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Palita ko og usa ka pares nga medyas, palihog. — Please buy me a pair of socks.
2. Magpares mo para sa aktibidad. — Pair up for the activity.
3. Si Lea akong pares sa sayaw. — Lea is my dance partner.
4. Maayong ipares ang kape sa tinapay. — Coffee pairs well with bread.

relasyon

Meaning (EN): relationship; relations; connection/association (often romantic, but also family, professional, diplomatic)
Part of speech: noun

Usage & nuance:

• Everyday term for a relationship—most commonly romantic, but also family ties, work/client relations, diplomatic relations, etc.
• Typical patterns: relasyon sa + noun (“relationship with/of”), relasyon ni/ug + names (“X’s relationship with Y”).
• Collocations: maayong/dautan/lig-on nga relasyon (good/bad/strong relationship), relasyon sa gugma (romantic relationship).
• Contrast: uyab = the person (boyfriend/girlfriend). relasyon = the relationship itself.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Malig-on ang among relasyon bisan layo mi. — Our relationship is strong even though we are far apart.
2. Naa bay relasyon si Ana ug Mark? — Are Ana and Mark in a relationship?
3. Gusto mi nga ipalig-on ang among relasyon sa mga kliyente. — We want to strengthen our relationship with our clients.

imbitara

Meaning (EN): to invite; “invite (him/her/them)” as an imperative
Part of speech: verb (object-focus imperative); verb (via related forms)

Usage & nuance:

• imbitara is the common imperative “invite [someone]” (often with palihog for politeness: Palihog imbitara…).
• Actor-focus forms: moimbitar (will invite), nag-imbitar (is/was inviting).
• Patient-focus/result: giimbitar (was invited), imbitahon (to be invited / will invite).
• Noun & adjective: imbitasyon (invitation), imbitado/-a (invited).
• Native synonym: dapit/dapiton (“to invite”).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Palihog imbitara ang imong mga ginikanan sa kasal. — Please invite your parents to the wedding.
2. Giimbitar mi sa among silingan sa pista. — We were invited by our neighbor to the town fiesta.
3. Moimbitar ko og duha ka bisita para sa miting. — I will invite two guests for the meeting.

magpakasal / magminyo

Meaning (EN): to get married; to marry
Part of speech: verbs

Usage & nuance:

• magminyo = to enter into marriage (general). Adjective minyo = “married”: minyo na siya (“he/she is already married”).
• magpakasal = to have/hold a wedding ceremony; often highlights the act/event of getting married.
• Related nouns: kasal (wedding), kaminyoon (marriage).
• Related verb: (mo)kaslon = “to wed/officiate (someone)” (e.g., a priest/judge).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Magpakasal mi sa Cebu sa Disyembre. — We will get married in Cebu in December.
2. Nagpakasal sila sa city hall kagahapon. — They got married at the city hall yesterday.
3. Magminyo pa ba ka, o magpabilin ka nga single? — Are you going to get married, or remain single?
4. Minyo na siya; duha na ilang anak. — He/She is already married; they have two children.

mag-away

Meaning (EN): to quarrel; to fight (usually verbal, but can be physical)
Part of speech: verb (reciprocal/actor-focus)

Usage & nuance:

• Typically describes mutual conflict: mag-away sila = “they quarrel/fight (each other).”
• Aspect forms you will hear: nag-away (are/were quarrelling), mag-away (will/habitually quarrel), mi/ni-away (quarrelled).
• Contrast: maglalis = to argue/dispute (less hostile, more “debate”); sumbagay/sinumbagay = fistfight (physical).
• Useful relatives: away (n. quarrel/fight), panag-away (n. a quarrel), kaaway (n. enemy), mangaway (v. to pick fights), awayon (v. to fight/bully someone).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Ayaw mo mag-away; istorya lang mo ug tarong. — Do not fight; speak to each other properly.
2. Nag-away sila tungod sa kwarta. — They argued because of money.
3. Ang iro ug iring permi mag-away. — The dog and the cat always fight.

romantic expressions and phrases

Gimingaw jud ko nimo

Meaning (EN): I really miss you.
Part of speech: set phrase / verb clause (stative “miss/long for” + intensifier)

Usage & nuance:

• gimingaw (from mingaw “lonely/quiet”) expresses the feeling of missing someone.
• ko = “I” (experiencer); nimo = “you” (object).
• jud intensifies: “really / truly / indeed.” Softer variants: Gimingaw ko nimo / Mingaw ko nimo; stronger: Gimingaw kaayo ko nimo (“so much”).
• Common in texts/calls, LDR talk, after a trip/absence.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Gimingaw jud ko nimo sukad nga nilarga ka. — I really miss you since you left.
2. Gimingaw ko nimo matag gabii. — I miss you every night.
3. Gimingaw kaayo ko sa akong pamilya. — I miss my family so much.

Gihigugma ko ikaw

Meaning (EN): I love you.
Part of speech: verb clause (patient-focus, completed aspect of higugma “to love”)

Usage & nuance:

• Formal/poetic sounding; very clear and emphatic.
• Everyday alternatives:
  • Gihigugma tika — same meaning; tika is a portmanteau pronoun “you (obj) + me (subj)”.
  • Nahigugma ko nimo — “I (have) fallen in love with you / I’m in love with you.”
  • Palangga tika — tender/affectionate “I love you” (often family/intimate tone).
• Passive variant: Gihigugma ka nako = “You are loved by me.”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Gihigugma ko ikaw, bisan layo ta karon. — I love you, even though we are far apart now.
2. Tinud-anayon ko: gihigugma ko ikaw sukad pa sauna. — Honestly: I’ve loved you since long ago.
3. Gihigugma tika ug dili ko mobiya. — I love you and I will not leave.

Imoha ra ko

Meaning (EN): I am only yours; I’m yours alone (I belong to you alone).
Part of speech: fixed clause (predicate with possessive pronoun)

Usage & nuance:

• imoha = the independent possessive “yours.”
• ra = “only/just,” adding exclusivity.
• ko = “I/me.”
• Romantic, reassuring pledge of exclusivity; natural in messages between partners.
• Variant without ra: Imoha ko = “I’m yours.” (softer, without the “only” emphasis)

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Imoha ra ko, ayaw kabalaka. — I’m only yours, don’t worry.
2. Imoha ra ko bisan layo ta karon. — I’m yours alone even though we’re far apart now.
3. Imoha ra ko; dili ko mangita ug lain. — I’m only yours; I won’t look for someone else.

Akoa ra (sad/pud) ka

(User wrote: “Ako rasad ka” → the natural form is Akoa ra sad ka.)

Meaning (EN): “You are mine (only).” / “You are mine too.”
Part of speech: fixed clause (possessive predicate)

Usage & nuance:

• akoa = independent possessive “mine” (contrast ako = “I/me”).
• ra = “only/just”; adds exclusivity.
• sad / pud = “also/too” (dialectal variants; both are fine).
• ka = “you.”
• Common as a romantic reassurance or reply to Imoha ra ko (“I’m only yours”).
• Variants: Akoa ra ka (neutral), Akoa ra jud ka (stronger, with jud “truly”).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Akoa ra ka, ha. — You are mine only, okay.
2. Imoha ra ko; akoa ra sad ka. — I’m only yours; you’re mine too.
3. Dili ka sa uban; akoa ra jud ka. — You’re not anyone else’s; you’re truly mine.

Nagselos ko

Meaning (EN): I’m jealous / I got jealous.
Part of speech: verb clause (actor-focus, nag- aspect + selos “jealousy” + ko “I”)

Usage & nuance:

• nag- marks a present/ongoing or recently past state: “I am/was feeling jealous.”
• Common in romantic contexts; pairs naturally with a reason: nagselos ko kay… / tungod kay…
• Contrast: nasuya/nasina ko = “I’m envious (of someone’s things/success)” (general envy), while nagselos ko often implies relationship jealousy.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Nagselos ko kay nakita tika uban sa imong ex. — I got jealous because I saw you with your ex.
2. Pasensya, nagselos ko gamay, pero sabot ra ko. — Sorry, I felt a bit jealous, but I understand.
3. Dili ko gusto nga magselos pa; istorya lang ta ug tarong. — I do not want to be jealous anymore; let’s just talk properly.

Parisun lagi kay mo.

Meaning (EN): “I’ll pair you up (for sure).” / “You’ll definitely be paired (up).”

Part of speech: clause with a patient-focus verb + particles

• parisun = pareson → patient-focus -on form of pares/ipares “to pair/match (something/someone)”
• lagi = emphatic particle “indeed / for sure (as I said)”
• kay = preposition “to/for (a person)”
• mo = “you (plural)” as the indirect/oblique pronoun after kay

Usage & nuance:

• Natural in a classroom/activity context when a teacher/host tells a group, “I’ll (definitely) put you into pairs.”
• The agent/subject (“I/we”) is understood from context (common in Cebuano).
• Very common alternatives:
  • Ipares ta mo. — “I’ll pair you up.”
  • Magpares mo, ha. — “Pair up, please.” (tell the students to pair themselves)
  • Ipares tika kang Ana. — “I’ll pair you with Ana.” (singular)

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Parisun lagi kay mo karon sa activity. — I’ll definitely pair you up now for the activity.
2. Ipares ta mo ug duha-duha, unya magsugod ta sa task. — I’ll put you in pairs, then we’ll start the task.
3. Magpares mo una, dayon ihatag ang inyong outputs. — Pair up first, then submit your outputs.

Ikaw ang gusto kong makauban hangtod sa kahangturan.

Meaning (EN): You are the one I want to be with forever.

Usage & nuance:
Very romantic and vow-like. Natural in love letters, proposals, or wedding vows. “Hangtod sa kahangturan” is poetic for “forever/for eternity.”

Grammar breakdown:

• Ikaw = you.
• ang = focus marker “the (one).”
• gusto ko = I want.
• (ng/nga/’g) = linker (Tagalog-influenced kong is common; pure Cebuano: gusto ko’g / gusto ko nga).
• makauban = to be with / be together.
• hangtod sa kahangturan = until eternity/forever.

More Cebuano-natural variants:

• Ikaw ang gusto ko’g makauban hangtod sa kahangturan.
• Ikaw ang gusto ko nga makauban hangtod sa kahangturan.
• Ikaw ra ang akong gustong makauban hangtod sa kahangturan. (adds “only you”)

Example uses:

1. Ikaw ang gusto ko’g makauban hangtod sa kahangturan. — You’re the one I want to be with forever.
2. Gusto ko nga ikaw akong kauban tibuok kinabuhi. — I want you to be my companion for my whole life.
3. Ikaw ra jud ang akong gustong makauban sa tanang panahon. — You’re truly the only one I want to be with at all times.

Ikaw ang dugay ko rang gipaabot.

Meaning (EN): You are the one I’ve long awaited / been waiting for for a long time.
Part of speech: full clause/sentence (with a relative clause modifying ikaw)

Usage & nuance:

• Very romantic, vow-like line—natural in confessions, proposals, or reunions.
• dugay intensifies duration (“for a long time”).
• ra adds “only/just,” often as an emotional emphasis here.
• Everyday alternative with “wait” is hulat: Ikaw ang dugay nakong gihulat.

Grammar breakdown:

• Ikaw = you
• ang = focus/topic marker
• dugay = long (time)
• ko = I (agent)
• ra + nga → rang = “only/just” + linker to the verb phrase
• gipaabot = (patient-focus) “was/has been awaited/anticipated (by someone)” Literally: “You are the one [that I have long been awaiting].”

Natural variants (all correct):

• Ikaw ang dugay nakong gipaabot.
• Ikaw ang dugay nakong gihulat. (more colloquial “waited for”)
• Ikaw ra ang dugay nakong gipaabot. (“only you…”)
• Dugay na tika gihulat. (“I’ve long waited for you.”)

Example sentences :

1. Ikaw ang dugay ko rang gipaabot. — You’re the one I’ve long awaited.
2. Sa wakas nakaabot ka; ikaw gyud ang dugay nakong gipaabot. — At last you arrived; you really are the one I’ve long awaited.
3. Bisan layo ta, ikaw ra gihapon ang dugay nakong gihulat. — Even though we’re far apart, you’re still the one I’ve long been waiting for.

FLASH CARDS

DIALOGUE PRACTICE

Cebuano

Joyce: Kumusta man mo sa imong uyab, Leah?
Leah: Okay ra. Nagpabiling malig-on. Kamo?
Joyce: Okay ra sad. Dili malikayan mag-away o magselos.
Leah: Ingun ana man jud na. Lisud jud basta layo ang pares.
Dili malikayan ang problema sa relasyon.
Joyce: Lagi. Unya, siya na jud Leah?
Leah: O, siya ra ang gusto kong makauban hangtod sa kahangturan.
Joyce: Imbitara ko inig kasal ninyo ha!
Leah: O, basin ikaw ang unang magpakasal.
Joyce: Hahaha tan-awon ta.

English

Joyce: How are you and your boyfriend, Leah?
Leah: We’re okay. We’re staying stronger. How about you?
Joyce: We’re okay too. It is inevitable to fight or be jealous.
Leah: It’s really like that. It’s difficult when the partner is far away.
Relationship problem is inevitable.
Joyce: Yeah. Then, is he the one, Leah?
Leah: Yes, he’s the only one I want to be with till eternity.
Joyce: Invite me on your wedding!
Leah: Sure, maybe you’ll be the first to get married.
Joyce: Hahaha let’s see.

COMPREHENSION QUIZ

Directions: Choose the correct answer.

1. Are Cebuano people shy to express their feelings?
   a. O
   b. Dili
   C. Wala
   D. Ayaw
2. How do you say ‘I’m jealous’ in Cebuano?
   a. Imoha ra ko
   b. Gihigugma ko ikaw.
   c. Ako rasad ka.
   d. Nagselos ko.
3. How do you say ‘get married’ in Cebuano?
   a. magpakasal
   b. pares
   c. relasyon
   d. uyab
4. How do you say ‘I love you’ in Cebuano?
   a. gimingaw ko nimo
   b. nagselos ko
   c. gihigugma ko ikaw
   d. imoha ra ko
5. Translate the expression ‘You’re the one I want to be with
   till eternity.’

EXERCISE

Directions: Arrange the words to make sentences.

1. dugay / gipaabot / ko / ikaw / rang / ang
2. jud / nimo / gimingaw / ko
3. hangtod / gusto / sa / ang / kahangturan / makauban / ikaw
   / kong
4. ikaw / gihigugma / ko
5. imong / kumusta / sa / man / uyab / mo / ?

REVIEW

Directions: Share to your teacher how you courted someone.

For example:
Gihigugma ko ikaw.
I love you.