Functional Words

Here is a list of useful words that can enable you to add depth and specificity to your speaking.

kag - and

pero, apang - but

"Pero" is borrowed from Spanish and used more commonly. "Apang" is true Hiligaynon and used in more formal speech/writing.

galing - but (unfortunately)

"Galing" functions as the word "but," and adds an implied "unfortunately." e.g. "I was hoping to come to the party, but (unfortunately) I'll be out of town."

kundi - but (rather than, instead of)

"Kundi" can be used as "but," with an implied "rather" e.g. "You won't die from eating broccoli, but (rather) you will get healthy."

kon - if

nga - that/which/who

In addition to its role as a silent linker, "nga" can also be used as the linking words "that," "which," and "who."
"I heard the man who was yelling." — "Nakabati ako sang lalaki nga nagsinggit."
"She ate the soup that you cooked." — "Ginkaon niya ang sabaw nga imo ginluto."
"I read that book, which is important to you." — "Ginbasa ko ang libro nga importante sa imo."

tungod, kay, bangod - because

"Tungod" is the standard word for because. "Kay" is a shorter, less formal version, like the English " 'cause ." "Bangod" is a deeper Hiligaynon word that isn't commonly used.

parte / nahanungod - about

"Parte" is the more common, Spanish-derived word. "Nahanungod" is the pure Hiligaynon word.

para, agud - in order to, so that

"Para" is the more common, Spanish-derived word. "Agud" is the pure Hiligaynon word.

ukon, o - or

"Ukon" is Hiligaynon, but you may occasionally hear the shortened "o," which is from Cebuano.

dason, tapos - then

"Dason" means the next/following thing, so it can be used to say "after that..." "Tapos" is to finish, so it can be used to say, "When that's done..." Both can be used when giving a list of directions. e.g. "Open the egg, then eat the insides."

bisan - even

ex. "He could eat three donuts. He could even eat a whole box of donuts."
ex. "We will be there, even if there's a storm."

bilang - as

ex. "As a prophet, he speaks for God."
ex. "She helps children as a math teacher at school."

halos - nearly, almost

samtang - while

antes, bag-o - before

"Antes" is borrowed from Spanish and is used commonly. The deeper Hiligaynon word for "before" is "bag-o."

pagkatapos - after

asta, tubtub - until

"Asta" is taken from the Spanish "hasta," and is used commonly. "Tubtub" is the more formal, deep Hiligaynon word for "until."

sa dalayon - continuously

This phrase is based on the word "padayon," which is "continue."
ex: "The people learned continuously." — "Nagtuon ang katawhan sa dalayon." (tuon = learn, katawhan = people)

perme / sa gihapon - always

"Perme" is the common Spanish-derived word, and "sa gihapon" is the pure Hiligaynon term.
"I will always remember your love." — "Perme ko madumdumon ang palanggâ mo." (dumdum = remember, palanggâ = love)
"I will always remember your love." — "Madumdumon ko ang palanggâ mo sa gihapon."

perme / masami - often

"Perme" is Spanish-derived and "masami" is Hiligaynon.
"There's always (not literally always, but very often) rain." — "May ulan perme." (ulan = rain)
"She walks all the time (often, a lot)." — "Masami siya nagalakat." (lakat = walk)
"We teach frequently." = "Perme kami nagatudlo." = "Masami kami nagatudlo." (tudlo = teach)

"Masunsun" is a deep Hiligaynon word that means the same thing. You may see it in older writing.

gihapon - still, anyway

Many words convey a meaning, rather than replacing a single English word. "Gihapon" indicates that something is continuing to happen, so it can be used to replace multiple types of English words.

"He's not feeling well...but he keeps working." — "...pero nagaobra siya gihapon." (obra = work)
"They were still angry." — "Akig sila gihapon." (akig = angry)
"The banana is unripe, but I'll eat it anyway." — "Hilaw ang saging, pero kaonon ko gihapon." (hilaw = unripe, saging = banana, kaon = eat)
"He is always waiting for you." — "Nagahulat siya gihapon para sa imo." (hulat = wait)
"Busy, as usual." — "Sakô gihapon." (sakô = busy)

dungan - same time, together

"They're going to leave at the same time." — "Dungan sila maglakat." (lakat = leave/walk)
"They'll go at the same time." — "Magdungan sila." (It can be used as a generic verb, meaning doing something at the same time.)
"They are swimming together." — "Nagaamba sila sing dungan." (langoy = swim) — This is a more formal sentence structure.
"They arrived, singing together." — "Nagabot sila, dungan nga nagakanta." (abot = arrive, kanta/amba = sing)

kon kaisa - sometimes

kalabanan - usually; most/majority

"The cat usually eats the leftover fish." — "Kalabanan ang koring nagakaon sang isdâ nga nabilin."
"Most of the cats eat fish." — "Ang kalabanan sang mga koring nagakaon sang isdâ."
"The majority of them..." — "Ang kalabanan sa ila..."

talagsa - rarely/occasionally

parehas, pareho, amo man, amo man gihapon, amo gihapon - same

"Parehas / pareho" are the Spanish-derived words, and "amo man" is the pure Hiligaynon term. "Parehas / pareho" mean the same thing. Different people prefer to use one over the other.

"Amo man" also comes with the variations "amo man gihapon" and "amo gihapon." These two phrases can also be used to say, "same as always."

"...the same day..." — "...ang amo man nga adlaw..." (adlaw = day/sun)

parehas sa, pareho sa, subong sang, kaanggid - like, similar to

"Parehas/pareho sa" is the Spanish-derived version, and "subong sang" is pure Hiligaynon. "Kaanggid" is an adjective so it is used in descriptive sentences.

"He runs like a swamp buffalo." = "Nagadalagan siya parehas sa karabaw." = "Nagadalagan siya subong sang karabaw." (dalagan = run, karabaw/carabao = swamp buffalo)
"She is tall like Katie." = "Taas siya pareho kay Katie." = "Taas siya subong ni Katie." (taas = tall)
"This is similar to a rock." — "Kaanggid ini sa isa ka bato." (bato = rock)

lang / lamang - only, just

"Lang" (derived from the original word "lamang") implies a limit on what is being said.

"There are just 2 of us." — "Duha lang kami."
"I'm only going to the market." — "Magkadto ako sa mercado lang."
"...just a few words..." — "...pila lamang sang mga pulong..." (pulong = word; pila = some/how many)

Sometimes the idea is only implied.

"There are (only) a few of them." — "Diutay lang sila." (diutay = few)
"My message will (just) be brief." — "Malip-ot lang ang akon mensahe." (mensahe = messagae)
"That's all." — "Amo lang inâ."

"Lang" doesn't always serve a clear grammatical purpose. It is often used for euphony, meaning it's just there to make the sentence sound better. Sometimes it just flows more comfortably with some filler, and sometimes it can prevent sentences from sounding too brief and unfriendly.

"They won't ride the boat unless you go with." — "Indî sila magsakay sa barko luwas lang nga magupod kamo." (sakay = ride, barko = boat, luwas = except/save, upod = with)
"I'm going to the bank." — "Magkadto na lang ako sa banco." (banco = bank)

man - also, too

"I'm going with too." — "Magupod man ako." (upod = with)
"She was singing...and dancing too." — "Nagkanta siya...kag nagsaot man." (kanta = sing, saot = dance)
"...and he was also their leader." — "...kag siya man ang ila pangulo." (pangulo = leader/chief/head)
"You too." — "Ikaw man."

"Man" can also act as filler, where it doesn't serve any grammatical purpose. One reason for this is to make the sentence sound a little smoother and less abrupt.

"Why is he laughing?" = "Ngaa nagakadlaw siya?" = "Ngaa man nagakadlaw siya?" (kadlaw = laugh)
The first translation is valid, but can sound a little clunky. The second example ("Ngaa man...") feels more natural.

You also sometimes hear this when people answer "no." Ex: "Indî man." This is a little softer than a lone "Indî."
Another common use is answering, "How are you?" Ex: "Maayo man." (maayo = good)

mas / pa gid - more (adjective)

"Mas" is Spanish-derived, and "pa gid" is Hiligaynon. Both can mean "more." "Mas" is used before the thing it describes, and "pa gid" is used after.

"more difficult" = "mas mabudlay" = "mabudlay pa gid"

When "more" is used as a simple adjective (i.e. "more bacon"), you can use either "mas" or "pa gid." However, there are times when "more" behaves like an adverb (i.e. "He ate more.") In these cases, "pa gid" would be the best fit.

"He ate more." — "Nagkaon pa gid siya." (kaon = eat)

There are instance where the word "more" isn't explicitly stated, but implied.

"I read about another..." — "Nakabasa ako parte sa isa pa gid ka..." (basa = read, parte = about)

"We went fast." — "Nagdasig kami." (dasig = fast, used as a verb here)
   vs.
"We sped up." — "Nagdasig pa gid kami."

Because "mas" and "pa gid" behave in a slightly different way, you can even use them together to indicate "even more."

"Hotter" = "Mas mainit"
"Even Hotter" = "Mas mainit pa gid"

"...become even more effective." — "...mangin mas epektibo pa gid."

dugang pa - more (noun)

"There's more." — "May dugang pa."

dugang pa sinâ - moreover, additionally

gid - emphasizer

"Gid" can emphasize is a few ways. It is commonly used as "really" or "very," i.e. "init gid" ("very hot"). However, it can be used flexibly.

"In Bacolod"... — "Sa Bacolod..."
"Right in the middle of Bacolod." — "Sa Bacolod gid..."

"none" — "walâ"
"none at all" — "walâ gid"

"Go there." — "Kadto ka didto."
"Be sure to go there." — "Kadto ka gid didto."

labi - more, most, highly/greatly/extremely

"Labi" is a formal, much older term. It has overlap with more modern terms like "gid," "mas/pa gid," and the prefix "pinaka-". It functions as an intensifier.

"He became more angry." — "Labi siya nga naakig." (akig = angry)
"He is greatly exhausted." — "Ginakapoy siya sing labi." (kapoy = exhausted)
"This is my most desired..." — "Ini ang akon labi nga ginahandum..." (handum = desire)

When used as a superlative (most), you may also see "nga" appended to the end of "labi," i.e. "Labing mataas" — "Highest"

ilabi na gid - especially

masyado - too much, a lot

Masyado (Spanish-derived) can be linked to an adjective with "ka-".

"too difficult" — "masyado kabudlay"
"too expensive" — "masyado kamahal"

"Indî masyado" can be used as "not very much" or "not as much."

"I don't know much about chemistry." — "Indî masyado ang nabalan ko parte sa chemistry."
"Not many people are singing." — "Walâ masyado sang nagakanta."
"Beauty is not as important as wisdom." — "Ang katahum indî masyado kaimportante sangsa kaalam."

sobra, kapin - more than, over, extra

"Sobra" is Spanish-derived, and more commonly used. "Kapin" is traditional Hiligaynon.

"more than 2 years" — "sobra duha ka tuig" (tuig = year)
"excess heat" — "sobra nga kainit" (kainit = heat)
"We captured over 20 bees." — "Nakadakop kami sang kapin sa bente ka buyog." (dakop = capture, bente = 20, buyog = bee)
"He gave the extra to them." — "Ginhatag niya ang sobra/kapin sa ila." (hatag = give)

These words can also be used as verbs to mean "exceed."
"This bread will be too much." — "Magsobra ining tinapay." (tinapay = sobra)
"He went over by 2 pisos." — "Nagkapin siya sing duha ka piso."

tuman - emphasizer

This is another older, formal emphasizer. It has a lot of overlap with "labi." It is used when something is "extreme" or "great."

"exceedingly sore" — "tuman kasakit." (sakit = pain)
"extremely rude" — "tuman kabastos" (bastos = rude/offensive)
"This is very sweet." "Tuman ini katam-is."(tam-is = sweet tasting)
When used as above, the adjective is prefixed with "ka."

"I am extremely afraid." — "Tuman ako nga nahadlok." (hadlok = afraid)
"They will greatly fear." — "Mahadlok sila sing tuman."
"Great was the darkness." — "Tuman ang kadulom." (madulom = dark)

puro - completely (made up of)

"They are all Filipinos." — "Puro Filipino sila."
"All the vehicles are sikads." — "Puro sikad ang mga salakyan." (sikad = bike with sidecar, salakyan = vehicle/something you can ride)

lubos - completely/fully; seriously/severely

"completely dead" — "lubos nga patay." (patay = dead/kill)
"fully prepared" — "lubos nga handa" (handa = ready)

"urgently needed" — "lubos nga ginakinahanglan" (kinahanglan = need)
"severely affected" — "lubos nga apektado" (apektado = affected)

grabe - serious/dangerous/extreme

Derived from the Spanish word for "grave" (as in "serious").

"The storm is serious." — "Grabe ang bagyo." (bagyo = storm)

This can be used casually, i.e. "Grabe, ba," similar to the English "That's crazy."

luwas - except, unless

"She won't leave unless the dog comes with." — "Indî siya maglakat luwas nga magupod ang idô." (lakat = leave, idô = dog, upod = join)
"...except for that city." — "...luwas sa sinâ nga ciudad." (ciudad = city)

imbes, sa baylo - instead of

"Imbes" is of Spanish origin, and "sa baylo" is the pure Hiligaynon term.

"Instead of going to work..." — "Imbes nga magkadto sa trabaho..." (kadto = go, trabaho = work/job)
"Instead of teaching, they received toys." — "Imbes sang pagtudlo, nakabaton sila sang mga hampangan." (tudlo = teach, baton = receive, hampangan = toy)

"I chose rice instead of bread." — "Ginpili ko ang kan-on sa baylo sang tinapay." (pili = choose, kan-on = cooked rice, tinapay = bread)
"Instead of dirt, you will see concrete." — "Sa baylo sang yab-ok, makita mo ang concrete." (yab-ok = dirt)

labot - concern, interest in, relation with

"What's your business with him?" — "Ano any labot mo sa iya?"
"That's not my problem/concern." — "Wa'ay ko labot sinâ"

This can also be used to exclude things:
"There are 10 people, not including the teachers." — "May arâ pulo ka tawo, wa'ay labot sa mga maestra." (tawo = person, maestra = female teacher)
"aside from that" — "walâ labot sinâ"

ayhan - possibly, perhaps

This word is used when talking about possibilities.

"What else should we add to the soup?" — "Ano pa ayhan ang idugang sa sabaw?" (dugang = add, sabaw = soup)
"Do you think I will understand the language?" — "Nagahunahuna bala kamo nga ayhan maintiendehan ko ang lingguahe?" (hunahuna = think, intiende = understand, lingguahe = language)
"If it wasn't for him, we would have died." — "Kon indi pa tungod sa iya, ayhan nagkamatay kita." (matay / patay = dead)

"What will happen?" — "Ano ang matabo?" (tabo/hitabo = happen)
"What do you think will happen?" — "Ano ayhan ang matabo?" ← This implies speculation about possibilities.

"Ayhan" works similarly to "basi" when used as "perhaps."

"Perhaps you will say..." — "Ayhan magsiling kamo..." (siling = say)
"You may become hungry." — "Ayhan magutom kamo." (gutom = hungry)

kuntani - could/would; could have/would have

This has two very specific uses, depending on context. For future tense, it indicates that the speaker is hoping for a particular outcome. It is also used for would/could have sentences.

"If I were rich, I would buy a farm." — "Kon manggaranon ako, magbakal ko kuntani sang uma." (manggaranon = rich, bakal = buy, uma = farm)
"It would be nice if..." — "Maayo kuntani kon..." (maayo = good, kon = if)
"We could have been happy." — "Nangin malipayon kuntani kita." (malipayon = happy)
"We would have learned a lot, but we didn't read the book." — "Madamo ang aton natun-an, pero walâ naton ginbasa and libro." (learn = tuon, basa = read, libro = book)
"There wouldn't have been contention if you hadn't mentioned politics." — "Walâ kuntani sang pagbinaisay kon walâ imo ginsambit ang politics." (pagbinaisay = contention, sambit = mention)

ugaling - yet, nevertheless, however, but despite that

"Ginpaabot namon ang ulan, ugaling..." — "We expected rain, but..." (paabot = expect, ulan = rain)
"The storm arrived, but (despite the storm)..." — "Nagabot ang bagyo, ugaling..." (abot = arrive, bagyo = storm)
"She was utterly exhausted, yet..." — "Lubos siya nga kapoy, ugaling..." (kapoy = exhausted/tired)

ugaling - then (at that time)

"Ugaling" can also be used as "then," i.e. "We will go to the store, then..." This usage also includes phrases like "at that point" / "at which time."

busa - therefore, hence (for that reason)

This word is not commonly used in speech. You're most likely to see it in old Bible translations.

sa bagay - insomuch

Although the word "insomuch" is not used in common speech, its meaning often is. It means "to such a degree that," "to the point that," or "until" (in the right context.)

"He rode the horse so much that his backside hurt." — "Nagsakay siya sa kabayô sa bagay nga sakit ang iya bulî" (sakay = ride, kabayô = horse, sakit = pain/hurt, bulî = buttocks)

"She drank until there was no more water." — "Naginom siya sa bagay nga walâ na ang tubig." (inom = drink, tubig = water)
This type of "until" is different from the standard one. In this example, the actor's drinking caused the water to be gone, making "until" actually mean "insomuch." In a regular situation, like in the sentence, "We'll wait until tomorrow," you'd want to use the standard "asta/tubtob" for the word "until."

niyan - then (future)

"until then" — "asta niyan"
"...then you will become strong" — "...niyan, mangin kusog ka."
"When I gain wisdom, then I will teach the world." — "Kon magangkon ako sang kaalam, niyan magtudlo ako sa kalibutan."

kwan - all-purpose vocabulary word

This can be used in place of any word or name that you can't remember at the moment.
"Did you buy the...thing?" — "Ginbakal mo bala ang kwan?"
"Give this to...[I can't remember the name, but you know who I'm talking about]." — "Ihatag mo ini kay kwan."

"Anô" can be used similarly.

ganî - all-purpose grammar tool

so, consequently, therefore

wherefore (not commonly used in speech, but found in traditional Hiligaynon)

agreeing with a statement - "that's true," "exactly," "etc."

"I already know that."

"I already told you that." - "When are we going?" "I already told you, tomorrow." ("Sa buwas, gani.")

When used in a question, it indicates "I should know this," "I forgot," "what was that again"
"Who is speaking again?" — "Sin-o gani ang maghambal?"

even - "I didn't even go..." — "Walâ ko gani nakakadto sa..."
"Don't even talk to them." — "Indî ka gani magistorya sa ila."

This word is beloved by those who grew up using it, and a little confusing for those who are new to it.

kono - someone said

"Someone said it's gone now." — "Walâ na, kono."
"I heard that's sour." — "Las-ay, kono." (las-ay = sour)
"She said we can come in." — "Sulod, kono." (sulod = enter/inside)

galî - new information

This is used to indicate that some information is new to you.

"I didn't realize it was so expensive." — "Mahal, galî." (mahal = expensive)
"You have a cow?" — "May baka kamo, galî?" (baka = cow)
"Oh, the floor is wet." — "Basâ galî ang sal-og." (basâ = wet, sal-og = floor)
"You finished the book (and I didn't expect that)." — "Taposan mo ang libro galî?" (tapos = finish, libro = book)

This can also be used as "I just remembered." Example: You incorrectly said the appointment is at 1:00, but then correct yourself. — "2:00, galî."

ambot - I don't know

This is a quick, casual way to say, "I don't know." Because it's casual, it's comes across more like, "I dunno." As such, if used at the wrong time, it may come across as dismissive, like you don't care. For those situations, you can use "Walâ ko kabalo," for a more formal and polite sounding tone.

tanî - hopefully

"Hopefully they win." — "Tanî magdaog sila." (daog = win)
"I hope it rains later." — "Tanî maulan karon." (ulan = rain, karon = later)
"It will rain later, I hope." — "Maulan karon, tanî."

"Tanî" can also be used in past tense to express regret for something that didn't happen.
"It would have been better if..." or "I wish..." — "Tanî nag..."

The phrase "Ano, tani?" can be used politely as "How can I help you?" "What do you need?" or "What would you like?"
However, this can also be used rudely (depending on context and tone) to sound more like, "What do you want!"

halimbawâ - example; for example

"I have an example." — "May arâ ko halimbawâ." ("Ehemplo" is also commonly used for "example.")
"For example, you're talking to a person and..." — "Halimbawâ, nagaistorya ka sa isa ka tawo, kag..."

abi - for example

This is a quick, informal way of saying "for example" or "for instance."
"Are you prepared? What if it rains, (for example)?" — "Handa ka na? Kon maulan, abi?"
"What if, say, you were chased by 10 monkeys?" — "Ano abi kon lagasan ka sang pulo ka amô?"

abi - wrongly assumed

This is used when someone incorrectly thought something, like "I thought dinner was at 6:00pm."
"I thought that class wasn't until later." — "Abi ko nga karon pa ang classe."

The phrase "Abi mo?" is used to mock someone that's believed to be wrong, i.e. "Oh, yeah? You really think so?"

daw - seems like, as if

"It seems like that's really heavy." — "Daw bug-at gid inâ."
"He's laying there like/as if he's dead." — "Nagahigda siya da nga daw patay siya." (higda = lay, da = dirâ = there, patay = dead)

This can be used as "looks like, smells like, tastes like, etc."

siguro - probably

"He's probably not there." = "Siguro, walâ siya da." = "Walâ siya da, siguro."

This can also be shortened to "guro."

sigurado / pat-od - definitely, sure, certain

"Sigurado" is Spanish-based, and "pat-od" is traditional Hiligaynon.
"I'm sure." — "Sigurado ako." — "Pat-od ako."
"That day will surely come." — "Sigurado/Pat-od nga magabot inâ nga adlaw."

basî - maybe

iban - other

kada / tagsa - each, every

"Kada" is Spanish-derived and "tagsa" is traditional Hiligaynon.

each/every one = kada isa = tagsa tagsa"
In regular use, "tagsa" is linked to its noun with "ka."
"every day" = "kada adlaw" = "tagsa ka adlaw"
"I was bitten by each/every type of mosquito." — "Ginkagat ako sang tagsa ka sarî sang lamok." (kagat = bite, sarî = type/kind, lamok = mosquito)

Here are a couple important variations:
"one by one" — "isa isa"
"Give three each to the kids." — "Hatag sang tag-tatlo sa mga bata." ("Tagsa" is shortened and used as a prefix.)

tanan - all

pila - some / a few

"some of them" — "pila sa ila"
"some of the dogs" — "pila sang mga idô"
"There are some that..." — "May pila nga..."
"a few types of bread" — "pila ka sarî sang tinapay"
"in a few days" — "sa pila ka adlaw"

naman - (in addition to)

Again

"My companion was yelled at again." — "Ginsinggitan naman ang kaupod ko."
"I won't return to you again." — "Indî ko naman magbalik sa inyo."
"He left again." — "Naglakat naman siya."

Another

"They received another gift." — "Nakabaton naman sila sang regalo."
"He ran for another 10 minutes." — "Nakadalagan siya sing 10 naman ka minuto."
"Another example..." — "Isa naman ka halimbawâ..."

Others

"Others will say..." — "Ang iban naman magsiling..."

The standard word for "again" is "liwat," but "naman" is a quick and casual way to say it.
"He stood again." — "Nagtindog siya liwat."

nga daan - already, previously

"I've had a wound here for a while." (as in, "Don't worry, this is an old mark.") — "May pilas ako diri nga daan."
"She learned that a while back." ("She's known for a long time.") — "Nakatuon siya sinâ nga daan."

This differs from the common form of "already," as used in sentences like "I already ate." In those cases you would use "na." ("Nakakaon na ako.")

buot silingon, buot hambalon - meaning, meaning to say

The word "buot" means a will or intention. Therefore, the phrase "buot silingon" or "buot hambalon" is "what is intended to be said." This can be used a couple different ways.

"What is the meaning of what he said?" — "Ano ang buot hambalon niya?"
"'No trespassing,' meaning, we need to leave right away." — "'Bawal maglakat diri,' buot silingon, dapat kita maghalin dayon."

mahimô - possible, can

"I'll finish it, if it's possible." — "Taposan ko inâ, kon mahimô."
"You can become smart." — "Mahimô ninyo mangin maalam."
"It is possible to become smart." — "Mahimô nga mangin maalam."

dapit - general location, near, next to, around

"Where is your house (generally, speaking)?" — "Diin dapit ang inyo balay?"
"Near the town." — "Sa banwa dapit."
"By the river." — "Dapit sa subâ."

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