Learn how to ask and give directions in Cebuano — perfect for travelers and beginners!
In this lesson, you will:
- Practice asking “Where is…?” in real situations.
- Learn Cebuano vocabulary for directions (left, right, straight, here, there, at the end).
- Improve your confidence when asking or giving directions.
- Review your skills with a quiz and practice exercises.
Ideal for travelers and Cebuano beginners who want to communicate clearly in everyday situations.
VOCABULARY
Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.
Ilisanan og kwarta
- English meaning: money changer / place to exchange money
- Part of speech: noun phrase
- Usage: Refers to an establishment or booth where currency can be exchanged. Equivalent to “money changer” in English.
Example sentences
- Asa ang ilisanan og kwarta diri sa syudad?
→ Where is the money changer here in the city? - Moadto siya sa ilisanan og kwarta aron mopailis ug dolyar.
→ He will go to the money changer to exchange dollars. - Daghang tawo sa ilisanan og kwarta matag adlaw.
→ Many people are at the money changer every day.
- English meaning: below / under / downstairs / low
- Part of speech: adjective; adverb; preposition (depending on context)
- Usage: Refers to a position that is lower in level, beneath something, or the downstairs area. Can also mean “low” in rank or amount. Equivalent to “below,” “under,” or “low” in English.
Example sentences
- Ang iro naa ubos sa lamesa.
→ The dog is under the table. - Nagpuyo sila ubos sa among apartment.
→ They live downstairs below our apartment. - Ubos kaayo ang presyo karon.
→ The price is very low today.
Eskaletor
- English meaning: escalator
- Part of speech: noun
- Usage: Refers to a moving staircase commonly found in malls, airports, or big buildings. Borrowed directly from the English/Spanish word escalera (stairs). Equivalent to “escalator” in English.
Example sentences
- Asa ang eskaletor padulong sa ikaduhang andana?
→ Where is the escalator going to the second floor? - Daghang tawo ang misakay sa eskaletor sa mall.
→ Many people rode the escalator in the mall. - Ayaw dagan sa eskaletor kay delikado.
→ Don’t run on the escalator because it’s dangerous.
Kinatumyan
- English meaning: top / peak / summit / highest part
- Part of speech: noun
- Usage: Refers to the very top, summit, or highest part of something — like a mountain, building, or hierarchy. Equivalent to “top,” “summit,” or “peak” in English.
Example sentences
- Nakaabot sila sa kinatumyan sa bukid.
→ They reached the summit of the mountain. - Ang kinatumyan sa kahoy puno sa dahon.
→ The top of the tree is full of leaves. - Gusto niya makaabot sa kinatumyan sa kalampusan.
→ He wants to reach the peak of success.
- English meaning: here (near the speaker)
- Part of speech: adverb of place
- Usage: Refers to a place close to the speaker. Equivalent to “here” in English. Often contrasted with diha (there, near listener) and didto (there, far from both).
Example sentences
- Diri ko nagpuyo.
→ I live here. - Adto sila diri karong gabii.
→ They will come here tonight. - Naa diri ang imong libro.
→ Your book is here.
FLASHCARDS
DIALOGUE PRACTICE
Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.
Situation: A stranger is asking Tim a direction.
Cebuano Version
Stranger: Excuse me, Sir. Asa dapit ang ilisanan og kwarta diri?
Tim: Inig-naug nimo sa ubos liko sa wala. Unya, diretso ra sa tumoy. Naa sa kinatumyan ang ilisanan og kwarta.
Stranger: Kini nga eskaletor?
Tim: O.
Stranger: Sige. Salamat.
Tim: Way sapayan.
English Version
Stranger: Excuse me, Sir. Where is the currency exchange here?
Tim: When you go down, turn left. Then, go straight at the end. There’s a currency exchange at the end.
Stranger: This escalator?
Tim: Yes.
Stranger: Okay. Thank you.
Tim: You’re welcome.
LESSON
The following words are used when giving directions in Cebuano.
| Cebuano | English |
|---|---|
| Tuo | Right |
| Wala | Left |
| Liko | Turn |
| Diretso | Go straight |
| Diri | Here |
| Dira | There |
| Liko sa wala | Turn left |
| Liko sa tuo | Turn right |
For examples:
Inig naug nimo sa ubos liko sa wala.
When you go down, turn right.
Unya, diretso ra sa tumoy.
Then, go straight at the end.
Asa (dapit) + place ?
For example:
Asa dapit ang ilisanan og kwarta diri?
Where is the currency exchange here?
Asa ang sakayanan og taksi?
Where is the taxi stand?
Asa dapit ang CR?
Where is the toilet?
COMPREHENSION QUIZ
Directions: Choose the correct answer.
- How do you say “where” in Cebuano?
a. unsa
b. ngano
c. asa
d. kanus-a - How do you say ‘currency exchange’ in Cebuano?
a. kwarta
b. ilisanan og kwarta
c. ilisanan
d. ilisanan og duwaan - How do you answer the question ‘Asa dapit ang CR?’ ?
a. Kaon nako
b. Naa sa wala.
c. Naa sa lamesa.
d. Nisakay og dyip. - How do you say ‘at the end’ in Cebuano?
a. diretso
b. wala
c. tuo
d. kinatumyan - Is it correct to say ‘diretso sa tumoy’?
a. o
b. dili
c. wala
d. ayaw
EXERCISE
Directions: Arrange the words to make sentences.
- ubos / liko / nimo / inig / wala / sa / sa / naug
- ang / dapit / CR / asa / ?
- ra / tumoy / unya / diretso / sa / ,
- diri / asa / ilisanan / dapit / og / kwarta / ang / ?
- og / ang / sakayanan / taksi / asa / ?
REVIEW
Directions: Let’s do a role play. Practice giving directions with
your teacher.
Teacher: Asa dapit ang ? Student: __________
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