Bisaya greetings: good morning, how are you & more
The first words you need in Cebuano — and the custom of calling “Maayo!” at the door.
Every Bisaya conversation opens the same warm way: maayo — “good” — plus the time of day. Master the five greetings below and the standard “how are you” exchange, and you can open a conversation anywhere from Cebu to Davao. Vowels are pure (a e i o u as in Spanish), and maayong is three crisp syllables: ma-AH-yong.
All built on maayo — “good”. Add the time of day and you have a greeting.
Maayong buntagGood morning
Maayong udtoGood noon (yes, noon gets its own greeting)
Maayong haponGood afternoon
Maayong gabiiGood evening / good night
Maayong adlawGood day (works any time)
Kumusta ka?How are you?
Kumusta na man ka?How have you been? (warmer, to someone you know)
Maayo ra koI'm fine
Maayo ra, salamat!I'm fine, thanks!
Okay ra koI'm okay
Ikaw, kumusta man ka?And you, how are you?
A lovely Bisaya custom: instead of knocking, visitors call out at the door.
Maayo!“Hello, anyone home?” — called at the gate or door
Dayon! / Dayon mo!Come in! — the reply that welcomes you inside
Adto na koI'm off / I'm leaving now
Sige, amping!Okay, take care!
Magkita ta unyaSee you later
Magkita ra ta puhonSee you again, someday (a warm, hopeful goodbye)
Babay!Bye! (casual, from English)
Malipayong adlawng natawhan!Happy birthday!
Malipayong Pasko!Merry Christmas!
Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig!Happy New Year!
Kongratulasyon!Congratulations!
How do you say hello in Bisaya?
Bisaya has no exact word for "hello". Speakers greet with the time of day — maayong buntag (good morning), maayong hapon (good afternoon), maayong gabii (good evening) — or simply "Kumusta?" (how are you?). Answering a phone, Cebuanos just say "Hello?" in English.
How do you say good morning in Bisaya?
Good morning is "maayong buntag" (mah-AH-yong BOON-tag). It combines maayo ("good") with buntag ("morning"). To be extra warm, add the person: "Maayong buntag, Nay!" (Good morning, Mom!).
How do you respond to "kumusta ka"?
The standard reply is "Maayo ra ko" ("I'm fine"), often followed by "Ikaw, kumusta man ka?" ("And you?"). "Okay ra ko" is a casual alternative.
Is "kumusta" Bisaya or Tagalog?
Both — it comes from the Spanish "¿cómo está?" and is used across Philippine languages. In Bisaya you will also hear "kumusta na man ka?", a warmer version for someone you have not seen in a while.
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