CEBUANO QUIRKS: LANGUAGE Edition
When I encountered Cebuano language during my first month in Cebu, I really find it interesting with its idiosyncratic vocabulary. Every word sounds weird to me at first but I got used to it after staying for few more months. I learned how to speak their language as well and got exposed to their remarkable expressions that they use in casual conversations. Fascinatingly, I discovered that some of their expressions can also be used in different ways with different meanings even without changing the words. Here are the Cebuanos’ top five most common expressions.
1. “Ambot”
As from what I have observed, the precise meaning of “ambot” depends on how the person delivers the expression. But basically, the person who’s saying this is either confused, frustrated, or might have lost his patience with the person he’s talking with. For an instance, if you keep on asking the same questions to a Cebuano, he would probably say, “Ambot nimo uy!” in an exasperated tone.
2. “Kuan”
Cebuanos call it as a universal word for just about anything. It can be used as a noun, adjective, or a verb. It can actually be used numerous times in a Cebuano sentence and still creates a sensible thought. Here’s an example,
“Ang kuan didto sa kuan ba, murag kuan kaayo ang kuan”.
3. “Chuya/Chuy”
Chuya or Chuy/Choy is often used when Cebuanos notice something that is amusing, unique, or beautiful. Usually, they’ll say “Chuya uy!” or “Chuy lagi na.” It means they appreciate or amused by something.
4. “Buang”
This word is commonly used as an adjective to describe something or someone who does something ridiculous or silly. Usually, they call someone buang if that person did something or just planning to do something crazy or stupid because buang literally means “crazy” or “insane”.
“Hoy, na-buang na ka?” (Hey, are you insane?)
5. “Bitaw”
Bitaw is used as an intensifier over a statement. The word alone may also serves as a response of agreeing to something that has been stated. For example, someone is telling you that the traffic in the city is heavy, if you agree, you could just simply say “bitaw”.
Learning Cebuano language may not be difficult, however, using the expressions properly may take some time to getting used with.
Article by Emjy Faye Ybañez
