Learn Cebuano with this practical lesson on asking for directions!
In this video, we will study how to ask and answer questions when you need help finding places in Cebuano (Bisaya).

What you’ll learn in this lesson:

• Useful Cebuano vocabulary for directions (e.g., mangutana = to ask, diri = here, atbang = across).
• Common expressions such as “Pwede mangutana?” (“Can I ask a question?”).
• A sample dialogue about finding a 7/11.
• Practice exercises and a short quiz to test your understanding.

This lesson is perfect for beginners who want to build confidence in Cebuano conversations. Whether you are a language learner or planning to visit the Philippines, these phrases will help you in everyday situations.

VOCABULARY

Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.

mangutana

Meaning (EN): to ask; to ask (someone) a question
Part of speech: verb (actor-focus); related noun pangutana = “question”

Usage & nuance:

• mangutana sa/ni + person = ask someone: mangutana ko sa doktor / ni Ana.
• mangutana bahin/mahitungod sa + topic = ask about something.
• Aspect forms: nangutana (asked / is asking), mangutana (will/plan to ask).
• Object-focus/imperative: pangutan-a (siya/ang doktor) = “ask (him/her/the doctor).”
• Contrast: mangayo og ~ = “ask for ~ / request ~” (a favor, money, help), not just asking a question.

Example sentences:

1. Mangutana ko sa maestra bahin sa exam. — I will ask the teacher about the exam.
2. Nangutana siya ni Ana, “Asa ka paingon?” — He asked Ana, “Where are you going?”
3. Pangutan-a ang doktor kung unsaon pag-inom sa tambal. — Ask the doctor how to take the medicine.

diri

Meaning (EN): here; in/at this place (near the speaker)
Part of speech: locative demonstrative; adverb (place)

Usage & nuance:

• Core word for static location near the speaker: “here.”
• Often used with sa + place: diri sa balay (here at home).
• diri lang / diri ra = “just here / only here”; diri dapit = “around here.”
• Contrast: ari/anhi = “come here” (motion toward speaker); diha = “there (near listener),” didto = “there (far).”
• Variant dinhi is also common and slightly more careful/formal; meaning is the same.

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Naa ko diri sa balay karon. — I’m here at home right now.
2. Lingkod diri, palihog. — Please sit here.
3. Diri lang ko maghulat. — I’ll just wait here.

unya

Meaning (EN):

• later; afterward
• then (next in sequence)
• “and then?” (prompting for the next part)

Part of speech: adverb; conjunction; discourse marker/interjection

Usage & nuance:

• Time deferral: unya / sa unya / unya ra/unya lang sa = “later / not now.”
• Sequencing: “…, unya …” = “…, then …”.
• Prompt/follow-up: Unya? = “And then?/What happened next?”
• Contrast: dayon = immediately then; unya = later (after some time). For “someday/hopefully,” use puhon.

Example sentences:

1. Unya ra ta mag-istorya; busy pa ko karon. — Let us talk later; I am still busy now.
2. Nilakaw siya, unya nibalik pagkahapon. — He left, then returned in the afternoon.
3. Unya? Unsay nahitabo human sa miting? — And then? What happened after the meeting?

pud (also: pod, sad; formal: usab)

Meaning (EN): too; also; as well
Part of speech: enclitic particle/adverb

Usage & nuance:

• Everyday Cebuano for “also/too.” Very common after the word it modifies: ako pud, mokaon pud ko.
• Variants: pod (same sound), sad (also very common). usab is more formal/written.
• Often softens tone or shows reciprocity: “You too,” “Thanks, likewise.”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Ako pud. — Me too.
2. Mokaon pud ko og saging. — I’ll also eat a banana.
3. Amping pud, ha. — You too, take care.

malakaw

Meaning (EN):

• (stative) be able to go/walk; manageable to leave/go
• (adjectival) walkable / passable on foot (said of a path/road; more precisely malakwan “can be walked on”)

Part of speech: stative verb; adjective (capability/potential)

Usage & nuance:

• With people meaning “can walk/go,” everyday Cebuano more often uses makalakaw (can walk) / nakalakaw (managed to walk) rather than malakaw.
  • e.g., Makalakaw ko = “I can walk.” / Nakalakaw na siya = “He/She was finally able to walk.”
• With paths/terrain, you’ll hear dili malakaw (“not passable on foot”). For object/locative focus, malakwan (“walkable, can be walked on”) is precise: malakwan nga dalan “a walkable road.”
• Contrast with molakaw = “(will) go/leave” (intentional action), not “can.”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Dili malakaw ang dalan tungod sa baha. — The road isn’t walkable because of the flood.
2. Kung mohunong ang ulan, malakaw na siguro ang agianan. — If the rain stops, the passage will probably be passable on foot.
3. Nakalakaw na siya human sa operasyon. — He/She has been able to walk after the operation. (more natural than malakaw for people)
4. Malakwan ra ning tulaya bisan gabii. — This bridge is walkable even at night.

nasaag

Meaning (EN): lost; got lost; stray; misdirected/off-course
Part of speech: adjective (stative); verb-like stative (“to be/get lost”)

Usage & nuance:

• Commonly used for people/animals who have lost their way: nasaag ko (“I got lost”), nasaag nga iro (“a stray dog”).
• For objects that are missing, Cebuano typically prefers nawala (“lost/missing”). nasaag can still be used when something was misrouted/misdirected (ended up in the wrong place): nasaag sa laing address ang sulat.
• Related forms: masaag (“to get lost” in a general/accidental sense), nagsaag (“wandering about/aimlessly”). Root: saag (“to stray; to go astray”).

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Nasaag ko sa syudad kay dili ko kaila sa dalan. — I got lost in the city because I didn’t know the streets.
2. Nakit-an namo ang usa ka nasaag nga iro sa kilid sa dalan. — We found a stray dog by the roadside.
3. Nasaag sa laing address ang among pakete, mao nga nalangayan ang delivery. — Our package was misdirected to another address, so the delivery was delayed.

Here you go!

atbang

Meaning (EN): opposite; across from; facing (on the other side)
Part of speech: locative preposition/adverb; adjective (locative)

Usage & nuance:

• Pattern: atbang sa + noun = “opposite/across from ___.”
  • e.g., atbang sa simbahan “across from the church.”
• Often about locations across a road/space, directly facing each other.
• Contrast: atubang = “in front of / face-to-face (right before)”; tabok = “across/to cross (motion)”; pikas = “the other side.”

Example sentences (with translations):

1. Ang among balay kay atbang sa eskwelahan. — Our house is across from the school.
2. Parkingi nalang sa atbang sa tindahan. — Just park across from the store.
3. Naa siyay opisina atbang sa city hall. — She has an office opposite the city hall.
4. Ang duha ka building nag-atbang sa kalsada. — The two buildings face each other across the street.

FLASHCARDS

DIALOGUE PRACTICE

はい、英語とセブアノ語を分けて整理しました。

Cebuano

Joyce: Excuse me, pwede mangutana?
Leah: Sige. Unsa man?
Joyce: Pwede mangutana asang 7/11 diri?
Leah: Naay 7/11 diri sa Tisa unya naa pud 7/11 sa Labangon.
Joyce: Unsay sakyan padung didto? Malakaw ra?
Leah: Malakaw raman. Lahusa lang unya mo liko ka sa tuong bahin unya molabang ka. Diha na ang 7/11 sa Tisa.
Joyce: Sige, Salamat.

A little later …
Joyce: Excuse me ate, asa diay ang 7/11 diring dapita? Murag nasaag nako.
Leah: Lahus lang day sa eskina unya sa atbang makita na nimong 7/11 sa Tisa dira.
Joyce: Sige te Salamat.

English

Joyce: Excuse me, can I ask a question?
Leah: Sure. What is it?
Joyce: Can I ask where the 7/11 in this area?
Leah: There’s 7/11 here in Tisa and also in Labangon.
Joyce: How should I get there? Is it possible to walk?
Leah: You can go on foot. Just go straight then turn right and then walk across the street. You can find 7/11 there in Tisa.
Joyce: Okay, Thank you.

A little later …
Joyce: Excuse me Ms, where is the 7/11 in this area? I think I’m lost.
Leah: Just go straight to that corner then you can see 7/11 in the opposite side.
Joyce: Okay Ms, Thank you.

LESSON

In Cebuano, when you want to ask someone about direction or something, we say;

Pwede/ Mahimong (Mahimo nga) + verb
Can I … ?

For examples:
Pwede mangutana?
Can I ask?

Pwede mangutana asang 7/11 diri?
Can I ask where the 7/11 in this area?

Mahimong mangayo og tubig?
Can I have some water?

Pwede mosakay og dyip diri?
Can I ride a jeepney here?

Pwede mangutana sa direksyon?
Can I ask the direction?

COMPREHENSION QUIZ

Directions: Choose the correct answer.

1. How do you say ‘to ask’ in Cebuano?
   a. unya
   b. malakaw
   c. mangutana
   d. nasaag
2. How do you answer when someone asks you a question
   “Pwede mangutana?” ?
   a. ambot
   b. o
   c. mao ba
   d. karon
3. Can we also say ‘mahimong’ instead of ‘pwede’?
   a. o
   b. dili
   c. ambot
   d. ayaw
4. How do you say ‘where’ in Cebuano?
   a. unsa
   b. ngano
   c. kanus-a
   d. asa
5. How do you say ‘across’ in Cebuano?
   a. nasaag
   b. diri
   c. unya
   d. atbang

EXERCISE

Directions: Arrange the words to make sentences.

1. mangayo / og / mahimong / tubig / ?
2. asang / mangutana / diri / pwede / 7/11 / ?
3. direksyon / pwede / sa / mangutana / ?
4. diri / og / pwede / dyip / mosakay / ?
5. 7/11 / asa / dapita / diay / diring / ang / ?

REVIEW

Directions: Let’s use the pattern that you’ve learned in the lesson. Ask your teacher about something or
directions.

For example:
Pwede mosakay og dyip diri?
Can I ride a jeepney here?