Master the basics of Cebuano verbs with this beginner-friendly lesson!
In this video, we explore essential Cebuano (Bisaya) verbs such as run, eat, sit, stand, and more. You’ll learn how to recognize verbs, give simple commands, and use them in everyday conversations.

This lesson includes:

• Vocabulary with English translations
• Practical dialogues you can use in real life
• A comprehension quiz and exercises for practice

Whether you are planning to visit the Philippines, connect with Cebuano speakers, or simply want to expand your language skills, this video will help you start building a strong foundation in Cebuano grammar and phrases.

VOCABULARY

tawo

Meaning: person; human being
Part of speech: noun

Usage & nuance:

• The everyday, neutral word for “a person” or “people” (plural with mga → mga tawo).
• Common in observations of presence/absence (walay tawo “no one around”).
• For a populace/collective, Cebuano also uses katawhan (“the people” as a group).
• Often modified by adjectives: maayong tawo (a good person), daghang tawo (many people).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Walay tawo sa balay karon. — There is no one at home right now.
2. Nagtapok ang mga tawo sa baryo sa plaza. — The people in the village gathered at the plaza.
3. Si Ana maayong tawo. — Ana is a good person.

artista

Meaning (EN): actor/actress; celebrity (showbiz personality).
Part of speech: noun

Usage & nuance:

• In everyday Cebuano, artista almost always means a film/TV celebrity or actor/actress.
• Plural with mga → mga artista (“celebrities”).
• For a visual artist (painter, etc.), use a more specific term like pintor (painter) rather than artista.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Sikat nga artista siya sa telebisyon. — She is a famous TV actor/actress.
2. Si Marco gusto nga mag-artista puhon. — Marco wants to become an actor someday.
3. Daghang fans ang naghulat sa mga artista gawas sa sinehan. — Many fans were waiting for the celebrities outside the cinema.

uban

Meaning (EN):

1. with; together with
2. to accompany; to go along (verb)
3. some; others (as a determiner/pronoun)
4. gray/white hair (noun)

Part of speech: preposition/particle; verb; determiner/pronoun; noun

Usage & nuance:

• with / together with: often uban sa + person/thing (e.g., uban sa akong asawa “with my wife”).
• Verb ‘to accompany’: common forms include mouban (will go along), niuban (went along), mag-uban/nag-uban (be/do together), giuban (accompanied).
• some / others: uban = “some”; ang uban = “the others”; uban pa = “and others / etc.”
• gray hair: uban means gray/white hair; e.g., naa na siyay uban “he/she already has gray hair.”
• Related word: kauban (“companion/colleague; someone you are with”).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Miadto ko sa merkado uban sa akong asawa. — I went to the market with my wife.
2. Mouban ko nimo ugma sa city hall. — I will go with you to the city hall tomorrow.
3. Ang uban sa mga estudyante wala pa nahuman sa ilang proyekto. — Some of the students have not yet finished their project.
4. Naa na siyay uban, apan kusgan gihapon siya. — He already has gray hair, yet he is still strong.

kilid

Meaning (EN): side; beside/at the side; roadside/edge (contextual)
Part of speech: noun; preposition/locative marker

Usage & nuance:

• As a location: sa kilid = “at/by the side,” often with a noun: kilid sa balay (the side of the house), kilid sa dalan (roadside).
• As “beside/next to”: kilid sa + person/thing (e.g., sa akong kilid “next to me”).
• Everyday alternative for “right next to” is tapad; kilid can be a bit broader (“the side/side area”).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Ibutang ang baso sa kilid sa plato. — Put the glass beside the plate.
2. Nalingkod siya sa akong kilid. — He/She sat next to me.
3. Ayaw pagtindog sa kilid sa kalsada; delikado. — Do not stand at the roadside; it is dangerous.

basta

Meaning (EN):

1. as long as; provided that
2. anyway; in short; that’s final (discourse marker)
3. just … (in instructions/requests); merely
   Part of speech: conjunction; discourse marker/particle; adverb (pragmatic)

Usage & nuance:

• As a condition: basta + clause = “as long as … / provided that …”. Common forms include basta’g (= basta ug) and basta kay for emphasis.
• As a stance/summary marker at sentence start: Basta, … conveys finality (“anyway / that’s that”).
• In instructions, basta can mean “just …” (“simply do X”).
• Reduplication basta-basta = “casually / carelessly / haphazard(ly).”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Basta’g muabot ka sa alas-otso, sugdan nato ang miting. — As long as you arrive by eight, we will start the meeting.
2. Basta, dili ko mokuyog karon. — Anyway / That’s final, I’m not going along today.
3. Basta sundi ang giingon sa doktor. — Just follow what the doctor said.
4. Ayaw basta-basta og pirma ug kontrata. — Do not sign a contract carelessly.

unya

Meaning (EN):

1. later (not now; at a later time)
2. then; and then (next in sequence)
3. so?/and then? (discourse marker)
   Part of speech: adverb (time); conjunction/discourse marker; interjection

Usage & nuance:

• Time: unya / sa unya / unya ra/na lang = “later / not now.”
• Sequence: links actions in order: …, unya … = “…, then …”.
• Prompting/story follow-up: Unya? = “And then?/So what happened next?”; Unya si Ana? = “And what about Ana?”
• Polite deferral: Unya lang sa ≈ “Please wait/Not now.”
• Contrast: dayon = “immediately then”; unya = “later (after some time).” For an indefinite future, Cebuano often uses puhon (“someday/hopefully”).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Unya ra ko motubag; naa pa koy trabaho. — I will reply later; I still have work.
2. Miuli siya, unya niadto sa ospital. — He went home, and then went to the hospital.
3. Unya lang sa, kay nag-meeting pa mi. — Please wait for later; we are still in a meeting.
4. Unya? Unsay nahitabo sunod? — And then? What happened next?

lingkod

Meaning (EN): to sit; to be seated (also used as an imperative “sit down”)
Part of speech: verb (intransitive); imperative form

Usage & nuance:

• Very common for invitations/requests: Palihog lingkod. (“Please sit.”)
• Progressive/state: naglingkod (“is/was sitting”); past: milíngkod; contemplated/future: molíngkod.
• “Sit for now”/soft deferral: lingkod sa.
• Related noun (seat/chair): lingkuranan (e.g., walay lingkuranan “no seats available”).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Palihog lingkod diri. — Please sit here.
2. Naglingkod ang bata samtang naghulat sa iyang mama. — The child is sitting while waiting for her mother.
3. Kapoy na ko; molingkod sa ko karon. — I am tired; I will sit for a moment now.

kaon

Meaning (EN): to eat
Part of speech: verb

Usage & nuance:

• Basic verb for eating. Objects typically take og/ug: mukaon ko og saging (“I’ll eat a banana”).
• Common invitations/commands: Kaon ta! (“Let’s eat!”), Kaon na. (“Eat now.”), Kaon sa (eat first/for now).
• Aspect forms you’ll hear: mukaon (will eat), nikaon/mi-kaon (ate), nagkaon (is/was eating), mangaon (let’s/will eat; often plural/inclusive).
• Related noun: pagkaon = food.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Mukaon ko og saging karon. — I will eat a banana now.
2. Kaon ta! — Let’s eat!
3. Nagkaon sila sa karenderya. — They are eating at the eatery.
4. Nikaon na ba ka? — Have you eaten already?

lakaw

Meaning (EN):

1. to go; to leave; to head out
2. to walk (go on foot)
   Part of speech: verb (intransitive)

Usage & nuance:

• molakaw / nilakaw (milakaw) / naglakaw / maglakaw are the common aspect forms (will go / went / is walking / will walk).
• lakaw can mean simply “go/leave” (generic departure) or “walk” (movement on foot).
• For “go to (a place)” you will also hear moadto (sa …); lakaw is more general (“head out”).
• As a suggestion/invitation: Lakaw ta. (“Let’s go.”)
• Imperative Lakaw! can sound abrupt (“Go / leave now”), so soften with ta or sa as needed.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Molakaw na ko; naay appointment ko alas-dos. — I will head out now; I have an appointment at two.
2. Maglakaw ta padulong sa terminal. — Let us walk to the terminal.
3. Nilakaw siya uban sa iyang igsoon paingon sa eskwelahan. — He/She left with his/her sibling toward the school.

ali

Meaning (EN): come (here); come over (imperative/call)
Part of speech: interjection/imperative; colloquial verb form

Usage & nuance:

• Ali is a common call to someone to come toward the speaker—roughly “Come here.”
• It’s a colloquial/regional variant of ari/anhi; many speakers prefer ari/anhi in careful speech (e.g., Ari diri / Anhi dinhi “Come here”).
• Used alone or followed by a place/verb phrase: Ali diri/dinhi, Ali, tan-awa ni (“Come, look at this”).
• Note the difference from dali (“hurry”). Ali = “come,” dali = “hurry (up).”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Ali dinhi, tan-awa ni. — Come here, look at this.
2. Ali sa, mokaon ta. — Come over for a bit; let’s eat.
3. Ali uban nako padulong sa merkado. — Come with me to the market.

barog

Meaning (EN):

1. to stand; to stand up
2. to be standing (state)
3. figurative: to take a stand; uphold
   Part of speech: verb (intransitive; also used figuratively)

Usage & nuance:

• Everyday verb for physical standing: Barog! (“Stand up!”), nagbarog (is standing), nibarog (stood up), mubarog (will stand).
• Often paired with adverbs: barog ug tarong (“stand properly/upright”).
• Figurative “take a stand”: barog sa (imong) baruganan (“stand by your principles”).
• Near-synonym tindog; many speakers use them interchangeably, though barog can emphasize the state of being on one’s feet.

Useful derivatives:

• baruganan (n.) “stand/position; principle”
• pabarog / ipabarog (v.) “to make/put (someone/something) stand; set upright”
• barugan (v.) “to stand up for; defend (a position)”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Palihog barog kung tawgon imong ngalan. — Please stand when your name is called.
2. Nagbarog ang mga pasahero sa linya. — The passengers are standing in line.
3. Nibarog siya sa iyang baruganan batok sa korapsyon. — He took a stand on his principles against corruption.
4. Ipabarog ang karatula sa kilid sa pultahan. — Set the sign upright by the door.

inom

Meaning (EN): to drink
Part of speech: verb

Usage & nuance:

• The basic verb for drinking liquids. Objects typically take og/ug: moinom ko og tubig (“I will drink water”).
• Common aspect forms: moinom (will drink), ni-inom / miinom (drank), nag-inom (is/was drinking).
• Imperative/object-focus: imna (“drink it”), imnon (“to be drunk/for drinking” as in imnon ang tambal “drink the medicine”).
• Related noun: ilimnon = beverage/drink; causative pa-inom / ipa-inom = “to give (someone) a drink.”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Moinom ko og tubig una ko molakaw. — I will drink water before I head out.
2. Nag-inom sila og kape sa buntag. — They are drinking coffee in the morning.
3. Imna ang tambal human mokaon. — Drink the medicine after eating.

ambak

Meaning (EN): to jump; to leap; to hop
Part of speech: verb (intransitive; can take object/goal with focus affixes)

Usage & nuance:

• Everyday verb for physical jumping.
• Common aspect forms: moambak (will jump), niambak / miambak (jumped), nag-ambak (is/was jumping), mag-ambak (will be jumping).
• Reduplication ambak-ambak = “jump around / repeatedly.”
• With object/goal focus: ambaka/ambaki/ambakan (e.g., Ambaki ang bangko “Jump onto the bench”).
• Near-synonym lukso is more Tagalog; ambak sounds more natural in Cebuano.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Ayaw ambak sa higdaanan. — Do not jump on the bed.
2. Moambak siya gikan sa bato paingon sa dagat. — He will jump from the rock into the sea.
3. Niambak ang mga bata sa kalipay. — The children jumped for joy.

hilak

Meaning (EN): to cry; to weep
Part of speech: verb; (verbal noun) paghilak = crying

Usage & nuance:

• Core verb for shedding tears. Aspect forms you’ll hear: mohilak (will cry), nihilak (cried), naghilak (is/was crying).
• Request/command: Ayaw paghilak. (“Don’t cry.”)
• Related words: paghilak (the act of crying), hilakon (adj. “tearful/easily moved to tears”), pahilakon (causative “to make someone cry”).
• Note: luha = “tear (drop),” not the act of crying. hikbi = “sob/sobbing.”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Naghilak ang bata kay nahulog ang iyang sorbetes. — The child is crying because his ice cream fell.
2. Nihilak siya sa kalipay pagkadawat sa iyang diploma. — She cried with joy upon receiving her diploma.
3. Ayaw paghilak; tabangan tika. — Don’t cry; I will help you.

dagan

Meaning (EN):

1. to run; to set off/leave quickly
2. (of machines/vehicles) to run/operate
3. (n.) run; flow; course (e.g., dagan sa tubig “flow of water,” dagan sa hitabo “course of events”)

Part of speech: verb; noun

Usage & nuance:

• Common aspect forms: modagan (will run), nidagan (ran), nagdagan (is/was running), magdagan (habitual).
• Imperative: Dagan! (“Run!”).
• Causative for operating machines: padagan/ipadagan (“to run/operate [a machine]”).
• As a noun, dagan refers to speed/flow/course.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Nagdagan ang mga bata padulong sa eskwelahan. — The children are running toward the school.
2. Ipadagan ang makina sa dili pa magsugod ang trabaho. — Run the engine before starting work.
3. Paspas ang dagan sa tubig pagkahuman sa ulan. — The water’s flow was fast after the rain.

tulog

Meaning (EN): to sleep; to go to sleep
Part of speech: verb

Usage & nuance:

• Core verb for sleeping; usually intransitive.
• Common aspect forms: motulog (will sleep), nitulog/natulog (slept), nagtulog (is/was sleeping), magtulog (habitual/future).
• Ability/“fell asleep”: nakatulog (“managed to sleep/ dozed off”).
• Polite softeners: tulog sa (“sleep for a bit”), tulog na (“sleep now”).
• Causative: patulogon / ipatulog (“to put [someone] to sleep”).
• Related nouns: pagtulog (sleeping, the act), katulogon (sleepiness/drowsiness).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Motulog na ko; sayo ko mubangon ugma. — I’m going to sleep now; I have to get up early tomorrow.
2. Wala ko katulog kagabii tungod sa saba. — I did not sleep last night because of the noise.
3. Nakatulog siya sa bus samtang nagbiyahe. — He/She fell asleep on the bus while traveling.

Flash cards

Dialogue Practice

Timothy: Hala, kadaghan sa mga tawo gud diri. Unsa’y naa?
Lorna: Naa daw artista karon.
Timothy: Mao diay. Ang uban nagbarog ug naglingkod sa kilid.
Lorna: Daghan jud tawo basta naay artista. Ali, lingkod diri.
Timothy: Motan-aw ta, pero unya na lang. Barog na.
Lorna: Sige. Balik ta diri unya.
Timothy: Mangaon sa ta.
Lorna: Sige.
Timothy: Ali na!

Timothy: Wow, there are so many people here. What’s going on?
Lorna: They say there’s a celebrity here right now.
Timothy: I see. Some people are standing and others are sitting on the side.
Lorna: There are always lots of people whenever there’s a celebrity. Come, sit here.
Timothy: Let’s watch, but later. Stand up now.
Lorna: Okay. Let’s come back here later.
Timothy: Let’s eat first.
Lorna: Okay.
Timothy: Come on!

Comprehension Quiz

1. Why are there so many people?
   A. There’s a big sale B. There’s a celebrity C. There’s a parade D. There’s an accident
2. True or False: Timothy wants to watch the artist right now.
3. Where are some people standing and sitting? (Short answer)
4. What do Timothy and Lorna decide to do before watching?
   A. Go home B. Eat first C. Buy tickets D. Find seats and wait
5. What is their plan about returning? (Short answer)

Answers

1. B. There’s a celebrity.
2. False. He says they will watch later.
3. On the side.
4. B. Eat first.
5. They will come back here later (to the same spot).

Word Order Exercise

1. daw / karon / artista / Naa
2. sa / nagbarog / kilid / Ang / uban / ug / naglingkod
3. naay / jud / Daghan / basta / tawo / artista
4. unya / ta / Balik / diri
5. usa / Mangaon / ta

Answers

1. Naa daw artista karon.
2. Ang uban nagbarog ug naglingkod sa kilid.
3. Daghan jud tawo basta naay artista.
4. Balik ta diri unya.
5. Mangaon usa ta.

Phrase Matching Exercise

Set 1

A

1. Hala, kadaghan sa mga tawo gud diri.
2. Unsa’y naa?
3. Naa daw artista karon.
4. Mao diay.
5. Daghan jud tawo basta naay artista.

B
A. There are always lots of people whenever there’s a celebrity.
B. I see.
C. They say there’s a celebrity right now.
D. Wow, there are so many people here.
E. What’s going on?

Answers (Set 1): 1–D, 2–E, 3–C, 4–B, 5–A

Set 2

A

1. Ang uban nagbarog ug naglingkod sa kilid.
2. Ali, lingkod diri.
3. Barog na.
4. Balik ta diri unya.
5. Ali na!

B
A. Some people are standing and others are sitting on the side.
B. Let’s come back here later (to this spot).
C. Come, sit here.
D. Come on!
E. Stand up now.

Answers (Set 2): 1–A, 2–C, 3–E, 4–B, 5–D

Set 3

A

1. Motan-aw ta, pero unya na lang.
2. Mangaon sa ta.
3. Sige.
4. Sige. Balik ta diri unya.
5. Motan-aw ta.

B
A. Okay. We’ll come back here later.
B. Let’s watch (in general).
C. Let’s eat first.
D. Okay.
E. Let’s watch, but later.

Answers (Set 3): 1–E, 2–C, 3–D, 4–A, 5–B

Set 4

A

1. Mao diay.
2. Sige.
3. Ali na!
4. Unsa’y naa?
5. Naa daw artista karon.

B
A. Come here!/Come on!
B. Okay.
C. I see.
D. What’s happening?
E. They say there’s a celebrity now.

Answers (Set 4): 1–C, 2–B, 3–A, 4–D, 5–E

Set 5

A

1. kilid
2. nagbarog
3. naglingkod
4. balik
5. karon

B
A. to return / again / back
B. now / at the moment
C. standing
D. side / edge
E. sitting

Answers (Set 5): 1–D, 2–C, 3–E, 4–A, 5–B

Matching Quiz

A（Cebuano）

1. lingkod
2. kaon
3. lakaw
4. ali
5. barog
6. inom
7. ambak
8. hilak
9. dagan
10. tulog

B（English）
a) stand
b) cry
c) come
d) run
e) sit
f) walk
g) sleep
h) eat
i) drink
j) jump

Answer

1–e, 2–h, 3–f, 4–c, 5–a, 6–i, 7–j, 8–b, 9–d, 10–g

REVIEW

Directions: Let’s use the verbs that you’ve learned in the lesson

and make some sentences.

For examples:
Balik ta diri unya.
Let’s come back here later.

1. –
2. –
3. –