CEBUANO LANGUAGE LESSON #10 Master Small Talk in Cebuano: Easy Phrases for Everyday Conversations

2021/3/20

Hi, everyone! Today, let’s learn about small talk together! Small talk is super helpful for having smooth conversations with someone you’ve just met or don’t know very well. But sometimes, it’s hard to know what to say, and those awkward silences can be a bit uncomfortable, right? So, in this video, I’ll share some easy phrases and tips to help you keep the conversation flowing naturally. Once you get the hang of it, chatting with others—whether in daily life, at work, or while traveling—will feel so much easier and more fun! Alright, let’s get started!

*This learning material is designed with the assumption that you will be having lessons with Filipino wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, friends, or language teachers.

Let’s learn a language on italki
italki is used by millions of language learners from around the world. Our language learning platform helps students fin...
www.italki.com

Today’s Goal

In this lesson, you will;
1. Learn how to answer questions.
2. Learn the different weather in Cebuano.
3. Be able to communicate simple conversation.

Vocabulary

Directions: Listen and repeat after your teacher.

1. karon

  • Meaning: now, currently
  • Part of speech: Adverb
  • Usage: Used to refer to the present time or situation.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Karon, magsugod na ta sa klase. (Now, let’s start the class.)
    2. Unsa’y imong buhaton karon? (What are you going to do now?)
    3. Karon pa ko nakadungog ana. (I just heard about that now.)

2. mga barkada

  • Meaning: friends, buddies
  • Part of speech: Noun (plural)
  • Usage: Used when talking about a group of friends.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Magkita mi sa mga barkada ugma. (We will meet with friends tomorrow.)
    2. Naglaag sila sa mall uban sa ilang mga barkada. (They hung out at the mall with their friends.)
    3. Nindot kaayo moadto sa dagat uban sa mga barkada. (It’s really fun to go to the beach with friends.)

3. nagkuyog

  • Meaning: together, accompanying
  • Part of speech: Verb
  • Usage: Used to describe going or being with someone.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Nagkuyog mi sa sinehan kagabii. (We were together at the cinema last night.)
    2. Kinsa ‘y nagkuyog nimo pag-adto sa eskwelahan? (Who did you go to school with?)
    3. Nagkuyog mi sa akong igsoon sa palengke. (I went to the market with my sibling.)

4. permi

  • Meaning: always, constantly
  • Part of speech: Adverb
  • Usage: Used to express habitual actions or situations.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Permi siya malangay sa trabaho. (He is always late for work.)
    2. Permi ka ba magbasa og libro? (Do you always read books?)
    3. Permi mi magduwa sa parke. (We always play at the park.)

5. panahon

  • Meaning: time, weather, period
  • Part of speech: Noun
  • Usage: Used to talk about time, weather, or a specific period.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Ang panahon karon hayag kaayo. (The weather is very clear now.)
    2. Sa panahon sa pandemya, daghan ang naglisod. (During the pandemic, many people struggled.)
    3. Wala koy panahon para maglaag karon. (I don’t have time to hang out now.)

6. nasad

  • Meaning: again, once more
  • Part of speech: Adverb
  • Usage: Used to express repetition of an action or event.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Moadto nasad mi sa mall ugma. (We will go to the mall again tomorrow.)
    2. Nakasala nasad siya. (He made a mistake again.)
    3. Nagsugod nasad ang ulan. (It started raining again.)

7. niadto

  • Meaning: before, in the past
  • Part of speech: Adverb
  • Usage: Used to talk about past events or situations.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Niadto mi sa Cebu niadtong tuig nga milabay. (We went to Cebu last year.)
    2. Naghilak siya niadto nga panahon. (She was crying at that time.)
    3. Niadto pa ko didto sauna. (I had been there before)

8. eskwelahan

  • Meaning: school
  • Part of speech: Noun
  • Usage: Used when referring to an educational institution.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Moadto ko sa eskwelahan ugma buntag. (I will go to school tomorrow morning.)
    2. Daghan ang mga estudyante sa eskwelahan. (There are many students in the school.)
    3. Nalipay ko sa among eskwelahan. (I am happy with our school.)

9. tuon

  • Meaning: study, learn
  • Part of speech: Verb
  • Usage: Used when talking about learning or practicing something.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Magtuon ko karon sa matematika. (I will study math now.)
    2. Nituon siya sa iyang leksyon kagabii. (He studied his lesson last night.)
    3. Importante nga magtuon aron makapasar sa eksam. (It’s important to study to pass the exam.)

10. bati

  • Meaning: bad, unpleasant
  • Part of speech: Adjective
  • Usage: Used to describe negative feelings, situations, or conditions.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Bati kaayo ang panahon karon. (The weather is really bad now.)
    2. Bati ko’g gibati karon buntag. (I feel bad this morning.)
    3. Bati kaayo ang iyang gibuhat. (What he did was really bad.)

11. ganahan

  • Meaning: like, enjoy
  • Part of speech: Verb
  • Usage: Used to express preference or interest in something.
  • Example sentences:
    1. Ganahan ko sa imong sinina. (I like your clothes.)
    2. Ganahan ka ba moadto sa dagat? (Do you like going to the beach?)
    3. Ganahan siya magbasa og libro sa gabii. (He likes reading books at night.)

Flashcards

Dialogue Practice

Directions: Read the following conversation with your teacher.

Dialogue 1

Joyce: Hello! Ako si Joyce. Ako ang magtudlo nimo karon.
Leah: Ako si Leah.
Joyce: Maayong panagkita nimo, Leah.
Leah: Maayong panagkita pud nimo.
Joyce: Unya, kumusta imong adlaw?
Leah: Lingaw ra man. Ikaw?
Joyce: Busy jud ko ron. Gaunsa ka karon?
Leah: Nagkuyog mi sa akong mga barkada.
Joyce: Nindot na. Magkuyog diay mo permi sa imong mga barkada?
Leah: O. Ikaw diay?
Joyce: Ah, dili kay ko permi makigkuyog sa akong mga barkada. Busy kay ko permi gud.
Leah: Ah mao diay.
Joyce: Kumusta ang panahon sa inyoha karon?
Leah: Madag-umon man.
Joyce: Ganahan ka ana nga panahon?
Leah: Dili. Ganahan man ko’g init nga panahon.
Joyce: Ako sad.

Dialogue 2

Joyce: Maayong panagkita nasad nimo, Leah.
Leah: Maayong panagkita pud nimo.
Joyce: Kumusta imong adlaw karon?
Leah: Maayo ra.
Joyce: Maayo nuon! Gaunsa ka karong adlawa?
Leah: Niadto ko’g eskwelahan.
Joyce: Magsige ka’g tuon?
Leah: O.
Joyce: Ah, busiha gud diay nimo ron. Unya, kumusta ang panahon sa inyuha ron?
Leah: Mainiton.
Joyce: Ah, ganahan ra ka ana nga panahon?
Leah: Dili. Ikaw? Kumusta ang panahon sa inyuha ron?
Joyce: Uwan-uwan man, mao di ko kagawas.
Leah: Bati gud diay sa panahon.

Key Note

How to Answer “How’s your day?” or “How are you?” in Cebuano

There are different ways to answer these questions depending on your mood or situation.

Basic Responses:

  • Okay ra. – I’m fine.
  • Lingaw ra man. – It was fun.
  • Maayo man. – I’m good.
  • Dili maayo. – It’s not good.
  • Bati. – It’s bad.
  • Kapoy pero okay ra. – It’s tiring but I’m fine.

Emotional Responses:

  • Malipayon ko. – I’m happy.
  • Magul-anon ko. – I’m sad.
  • Naglagot ko. – I’m angry.

How to Answer “Gaunsa ka karong adlawa?” (What did you do today?)

To answer this question, use the following sentence pattern:
Verb + Subject + Object

Examples:

  1. Daily Activities:
    • Nagkuyog mi sa akong mga barkada. – I hung out with my friends.
    • Niadto ko’g eskwelahan. – I went to school.
    • Nagtrabaho ko sa opisina. – I worked at the office.
    • Naglimpyo ko sa balay. – I cleaned the house.
    • Namalit ko sa mall. – I went shopping at the mall.
  2. Leisure Activities:
    • Nagbasa ko og libro. – I read a book.
    • Nagtan-aw ko og sine. – I watched a movie.
    • Nagduwa ko og basketball. – I played basketball.
    • Nagpahuway ra ko sa balay. – I just rested at home.
  3. Special Activities:
    • Nagkat-on ko og bag-ong butang. – I learned something new.
    • Nagluto ko og pagkaon. – I cooked food.
    • Namisita ko sa akong pamilya. – I visited my family.
    • Nagbiyahe ko padulong sa probinsya. – I’m traveling to the province.

Weather Vocabulary:

  • Sunny – Ting-init
  • Rainy – Ting-uwan
  • Cloudy – Ting-panganod
  • Windy – Ting-hangin
Let’s learn a language on italki
italki is used by millions of language learners from around the world. Our language learning platform helps students fin...
www.italki.com

Comprehension Quiz

Directions: Choose the correct answer.

  1. How do you say ‘I’m good’ in Cebuano?
    a. dili okay
    b. bati
    c. maayo man
    d. kapoy
  2. Can you say your feelings to answer the questions ‘How’s
    your day?’
    a. yes
    b. no
    c. maybe
    d. none of the above
  3. Is it correct to say ‘Ko malipayon’?
    a. yes
    b. no
    c. maybe
    d. none of the above
  4. How do you say ‘weather’ in Cebuano?
    a. bati
    b. permi
    c. nasad
    d. panahon
  5. How do you say ‘friends’ in Cebuano?
    a. barkada
    b. mga barkada
    c. ginikanan
    d. mga ginikanan

Word Order Exercise

Rearrange the words to form a correct sentence:

Part 1: Basic Sentences

  1. Scrambled Words:
    si - Ako - Leah
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (I’m Leah.)
  2. Scrambled Words:
    imong - Kumusta - adlaw?
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (How was your day?)
  3. Scrambled Words:
    mi - sa - Nagkuyog - akong - barkada.
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (I hung out with my friends.)
  4. Scrambled Words:
    kamo / mo - Magkuyog - diay - permi?
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (Do you always hang out with your friends?)
  5. Scrambled Words:
    Ako - sad.
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (Me too.)

Part 2: Weather Expressions

  1. Scrambled Words:
    sa - panahon - Kumusta - inyoha - karon? - ang
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (How’s the weather in your area now?)
  2. Scrambled Words:
    init - Ganahan - ka - panahon - og? - nga
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (Do you like sunny weather?)
  3. Scrambled Words:
    man - Madag-umon.
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (It’s cloudy.)
  4. Scrambled Words:
    Bati - sa - panahon - gud.
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (The weather’s too bad.)
  5. Scrambled Words:
    Dili - ganahan - ko.
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (No, I don’t.)

Part 3: Daily Activities

  1. Scrambled Words:
    ko - Niadto - eskwelahan - og.
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (I went to school.)
  2. Scrambled Words:
    ka - Magsige - tuon - og?
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (Do you study a lot?)
  3. Scrambled Words:
    ka - Unsa - karon - ga?
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (What are you doing now?)
  4. Scrambled Words:
    ron - ko - Busy - jud.
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (I’m really busy now.)
  5. Scrambled Words:
    ra - Lingaw - man.
    Correct Sentence:
    → ____________________________ (It was fun.)

Phrase Matching Exercise

Match the Cebuano phrases with their correct English translations.

Column A: CebuanoColumn B: English
1. Ako si Joyce.a. I like sunny weather.
2. Kumusta imong adlaw?b. I went to school.
3. Lingaw ra man.c. I hung out with my friends.
4. Nagkuyog mi sa akong mga barkada.d. I’m Joyce.
5. Maayong panagkita nimo.e. How was your day?
6. Dili ko ganahan.f. It was fun.
7. Niadto ko’g eskwelahan.g. It’s cloudy.
8. Kumusta ang panahon sa inyoha karon?h. I don’t like it.
9. Madag-umon man.i. Nice to meet you.
10. Ganahan ko’g init nga panahon.j. How’s the weather in your area now?

Review

Directions: Let’s do a short role play with your teacher.
Teacher: Kumusta imong adlaw?

Student: ___________.
Teacher: Gaunsa ka karon?
Student: ___________.

Answer

Here are the correct answers for comprehension quiz:

  1. How do you say ‘I’m good’ in Cebuano?
  2. Can you say your feelings to answer the question ‘How’s your day?’
    • a. yes
  3. Is it correct to say ‘Ko malipayon’?
  4. How do you say ‘weather’ in Cebuano?
  5. How do you say ‘friends’ in Cebuano?
    • b. mga barkada

Let me know if you’d like more practice questions!

Here are the correct answers for the Word Order Exercise based on the previous Cebuano dialogue.

Part 1: Basic Sentences

  1. Scrambled Words:
    si - Ako - Leah
    Correct Sentence:
    → Ako si Leah. (I’m Leah.)
  2. Scrambled Words:
    imong - Kumusta - adlaw?
    Correct Sentence:
    → Kumusta imong adlaw? (How was your day?)
  3. Scrambled Words:
    mi - sa - Nagkuyog - akong - barkada.
    Correct Sentence:
    → Nagkuyog mi sa akong mga barkada. (I hung out with my friends.)
  4. Scrambled Words:
    ka - Magkuyog - mo - diay - permi?
    Correct Sentence:
    → Magkuyog diay mo permi? (Do you always hang out with your friends?)
  5. Scrambled Words:
    ko - Ako - sad.
    Correct Sentence:
    → Ako sad. (Me too.)

Part 2: Weather Expressions

  1. Scrambled Words:
    sa - panahon - Kumusta - inyoha - karon?
    Correct Sentence:
    → Kumusta ang panahon sa inyoha karon? (How’s the weather in your area now?)
  2. Scrambled Words:
    init - Ganahan - ka -