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 (with translations):

1. Init kaayo karon. — It’s very hot today.
2. Lami kaayo ni nga longganisa. — This sausage is very tasty.
3. Dili kaayo ko ganahan og tam-is. — I don’t like sweets very much.
4. Salamat kaayo sa imong tabang. — Thank you very much for your help.
5. 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 (with translations):

1. Pila ka apo nimo? — How many grandchildren do you have?
2. Si Ken apo ni Mang Jose. — Ken is Mang Jose’s grandchild.
3. Nalipay kaayo ang lola sa iyang mga apo. — Grandma is very happy with her grandchildren.
4. 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 (with translations):

1. Nalipay kaayo ko sa akong mga apo. — I am very happy with my grandchildren.
2. Pila ka buok ang imong mga apo? — How many grandchildren do you have?
3. 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: palahayhay = clothesline; hayhayan = place/area for hanging.
• ⚠️ Different from hayahay (“comfortable/easy life”).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Manghayhay ko og sinina sa gawas human malaba. — I’ll hang the clothes outside after washing.
2. Nanghayhay sila og banig sa baybayon. — They spread out a mat on the beach.
3. 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).”
  • Tabangan ko nimo. = “You will help me.”
  • Tabangan nato siya. = “Let’s help him/her.”
• 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 (with translations):

1. Tabangan nato ang biktima karon. — Let us help the victim now.
2. Tabangan ko nimo ugma sa paghipos? — Will you help me tomorrow with the cleaning?
3. Gitabangan siya sa iyang mga silingan sa pag-ayos sa atop. — He/She was helped by the neighbors to fix the roof.
4. 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 (with translations):

1. Palihog lingkod dinhi. — Please sit here.
2. Naglingkod mi samtang naghulat sa bus. — We were sitting while waiting for the bus.
3. Molingkod sa ko kay kapoy akong tiil. — I’ll sit for a moment because my feet are tired.

pagaksa (from root aksa)

Meaning (EN): to carry on one’s back/shoulders; to piggyback (imperative “Carry (him/her) on your back!”)
Part of speech: verb (actor-focus imperative pag-); verbal noun pag-aksa “the act of carrying on the back”

Usage & nuance:

• Everyday for piggybacking a child, an injured person, or a load on the shoulders/back.
• Root aksa forms you’ll hear: moaksa (will carry on the back), niaksa (carried), nag-aksa (is/was carrying).
• Patient-focus: aksahon (“to be carried on the back”), giaksa (“was carried on the back”), aksa-a (imperative, “carry it/him/her on your back”).
• Causative: paaksa (“have/make [someone] carry [someone/something] on the back”).
• Contrast: karga = “carry/lift (in arms/on body in general)”; gakos = “hug/embrace” (don’t confuse).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Pagaksa siya kay gikapoy na. — Carry him/her on your back; he/she is tired already.
2. Giaksa niya ang bata padulong sa balay. — He/She piggybacked the child home.
3. Aksahon nato ang mga sako kay lapok ang dalan. — Let’s carry the sacks on our shoulders because the road is muddy.
4. Paaksa si Kuya sa bata samtang moagi ta sa tulay. — Have big brother carry the child on his back while we cross the bridge.

alangan

Meaning (EN):

1. of course; naturally; “what else (did you expect)?” (exclamatory/ironic)
2. (it’s) only proper / I have no choice but… (expresses obligation due to circumstances)
3. 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 (with translations):

1. Alangan! — Of course! / Naturally!
2. Alangan og dili ko motabang; silingan baya ta. — Of course I’ll help; we’re neighbors after all.
3. 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/attitude. Let’s
learn the different attitude of Filipinos.

Traits/attitude + S
⚫ Matinabangon
Helpful
A common attitude of Filipinos which 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 there children to be industrious/hardworking at a younger age. Parents teach their children to do the household chores and do their tasks everyday.

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 a 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 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 to 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 love ones. You can see people walk 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 though with such problems. In additions, you can see people are joyful in the festival, parties, etc.

For example:
Malipayon ang mga tawo.
People are happy.

COMPREHENSION QUIZ

Directions: Choose the correct answer.

1. What do you say when you want to show respect?
   a. Bahala ka.
   b. Bless/ Mano po.
   c. Kugihan
   d. Paraygon
2. What attitude that describe children to do their household
   chores?
   a. maatimanunon
   b. mahigugmaon
   c. paraygon
   d. kugihan
3. How do you say ‘clingy’ in Cebuano?
   a. maatimanunon
   b. mahigugmaon
   c. paraygon
   d. kugihan
4. Are Filipino people helpful?
   a. O
   b. dili
   c. wala
   d. ayaw
5. How do you say “grandson” in Cebuano?
   a. apa
   b. apo
   c. ako
   d. ato

EXERCISE

Arrange the words to make sentences.

1. akong / ni / matinabangon / apo / jud / oi
2. gihapon / paraygon / ka / jud
3. akong / ang / mahigugmaon / pamilya
4. ang / igsuon / akong / mahigalaon
5. mga / bata / ang / kugihan

REVIEW

Directions: Describe your family’s attitude.

For example:
Mahigugmaon ang akong pamilya.
My family is loving.