For words with negative or lack of something, it's usually the 'root' plus the word for 'less' or something similar.

WORDLESS would be

Wa.lay pu.long
phonetic sound is: WA (as in wand) lie po (rhymes with Paul) long

I want to see in Bisaya would be

Gus.to ko mo.tan.aw
you'll say it like this: ghost to Co (in cocoa) mo tan ou (in ouch)
That's how you say it. If you find it useful, feel free to leave me a message on what you'd like me to translate next...and is the phonetic pronunciation helping?

Below is a classic folk song of the Bisaya. It's sung like a love song, sometimes, it's translated in "Amelia Bedelia fashion, then it's really hilarious. I'll try to get my cousin to translate it literally and then you can see the difference.

Usahay, nagadamgo ako
Sometimes, I have a dream

Nga ikaw ug ako nagkahigumaay
That you and I are in love

Nganong damguhon ko ikaw
Why do I dream of you

Damguhon sa kanunay sa akong kamingaw
I dream of you in my loneliness


Usahay, nagamahay* ako
Sometimes, I regret*

Nganong nabuhi pa
Why I live

Nianing kalibutan
In this world

Kay nganong gitiawtiawan
Why did you made fun of

Ang gugma ko kanimo
My love for you

Kanimo, da. **
For you


* this word is a combination of hurt and regret. I cannot think of an english word for it, so I did the next best one I can come up with. Possibly worse than hurt, and deeper than regret. It's the same feeling you get upone finding out otherwise, when someone has something you want to borrow, you asked for it first, then they told you it's not available because it's broken. It's not really angry, it wasn't yours, but you're hurt and sorry and all that stuff.

** "da" is a word used as exclammation point in a song. An emphasis word.

Walay nahitabo karong adlawa. Laay kaayo ko.

Nothing happened today. I am bored.

Maayo man pod ug laay, kon dili, labad pod sa ulo.

It's better to be bored, if not, it's going to be a headache too.



Truth to tell, I have no clue how to teach Bisaya. My kids wanted to learn, and I do not know how to go about teaching them, so I don't bother. Sad huh?