Say it right
How Are You in Bisaya: Kumusta Ka (and Every Way to Answer)
How are you in Bisaya is Kumusta ka? (ku-MUS-ta ka) — and unlike English’s drive-by “how are you,” in Bisaya it’s usually a real question expecting a real answer. So this post teaches both directions: asking it, and the full menu of honest replies.
Kumusta ka?
koo-MOOS-tah kah
“How are you?”
To several people: Kumusta mo? Long-time-no-see version: Kumusta na man ka? Dugay ta wala magkita! — “How have you been? Long time no see!”
The answer menu
| Bisaya | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Okay ra ko | oh-KAY rah koh | I’m fine |
| Maayo man | mah-AH-yo mahn | Good / doing well |
| Lipay ko | LEE-pai koh | I’m happy |
| Gikapoy ko | gee-KAH-pohy koh | I’m tired |
| Gigutom ko | gee-GOO-tohm koh | I’m hungry (a valid life update) |
| Mao ra gihapon | MAH-oh rah gee-HAH-pohn | Same as always |
Then return the serve: Ikaw? (i-KAW) — “And you?” Conversation is a rally, not a recital.
The deeper check-ins
- Kumusta imong adlaw? (ku-MUS-ta i-MONG AD-law) — How was your day? The marriage-saver sentence.
- Maayo ra ka diha? (ma-AH-yo ra ka DEE-ha) — Are you doing okay over there? For the long-distance months.
- Naunsa ka? (na-UN-sa ka) — What happened to you / what’s wrong? When the answer to kumusta didn’t sound right.
Learn the Bisaya they actually speak
Bisaya Daily is a complete Davao Cebuano course — 600+ phrases across 42 units, recorded in native Davao Cebuano by Pearl. Try a free lesson.
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