Say it right
How to Say Thank You in Bisaya: Salamat — and How to Reply
Thank you in Bisaya is Salamat (sa-LA-mat), and "thank you very much" is Salamat kaayo (sa-LA-mat ka-AH-yo). It's probably the first Bisaya word you'll learn and the one you'll say most — at the karinderya, in a jeepney, at your in-laws' table. But "thank you" is only half a conversation. Here's the whole exchange: the variations, the pronunciation, and what comes back at you.
The essentials
Salamat.
sah-LAH-maht
"Thank you."
Stress lands on the middle syllable: sa-LA-mat. (If you know Tagalog, yes — same word. One of the few that transfers.)
Salamat kaayo!
sah-LAH-maht kah-AH-yo
"Thank you very much!"
Kaayo means "very" — you'll bolt it onto everything: lami kaayo (very delicious), nindot kaayo (very nice). Learn it once, use it forever.
Walay sapayan.
wah-LAI sah-pah-YAHN
"You're welcome."
The classic reply. In casual speech you'll just as often hear "Sige lang" (it's fine) or "Walay problema" (no problem).
Leveling up your thank-yous
| Bisaya | Pronunciation | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Salamat sa tanan | sah-LAH-maht sah tah-NAHN | "Thanks for everything" — leaving a gathering |
| Salamat sa imong panahon | sah-LAH-maht sah ee-MONG pah-NAH-hohn | "Thank you for your time" — formal, considerate |
| Salamat sa pag-abi-abi | sah-LAH-maht sah pahg-ah-bee-AH-bee | "Thanks for the warm welcome" — as a guest |
| Human na ko, salamat | HOO-mahn nah koh sah-LAH-maht | "I'm done, thank you" — at the table or a shop |
| Lami kaayo, salamat! | LAH-mee kah-AH-yo sah-LAH-maht | "That was delicious, thank you!" — the cook's favorite sentence |
The full exchange, start to finish
Here's a complete mini-conversation you can run at any market stall this week:
- You: Tagpila ni? (tag-PEE-la ni — How much is this?)
- Vendor: Singkwenta. (Fifty.)
- You: Sige. Salamat kaayo! (Okay. Thank you very much!)
- Vendor: Sige lang. Balik-balik! (No problem. Come again!)
Four lines, and you've had a real Bisaya conversation. That's the whole philosophy behind how we teach: exchanges, not flashcards.
Hear it said by a native speaker
Every phrase in Bisaya Daily comes with real Davao Cebuano audio recorded by Pearl — so your salamat sounds like gratitude, not a spelling bee. Try a free lesson.
Try a free lesson