Language/Cebuano/Vocabulary/Geography
Hi Cebuano learners! 😊
In this lesson, we're going to learn about geography in Cebuano. Knowing the vocabulary for places and things in the environment can help you to have a better understanding of conversations in Cebuano. Plus, learning about the geography of the Philippines can teach you a lot about the culture and history of the country. So let's get started!
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Survival phrases & Days of the Week.
Places[edit | edit source]
Let's start by learning some vocabulary for different types of place.
Islands[edit | edit source]
An island is "pulo" in Cebuano. The Philippines is made up of many islands, including Cebu.
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| pulo | /'pu.lo/ | island |
- Person 1: Unsay ngalan sa pulo sa atoa? (/OON-sigh NGAL-ahn sa PU-lo sa AH-to-ah?/) (What is the name of the island we are on?)
- Person 2: Ang ngalan sa pulo mao ang Cebu. (/ahng NGAL-ahn sa PU-lo mao ahng CHEH-boo/) (The name of the island is Cebu.)
Mountains[edit | edit source]
A mountain is "bukid" in Cebuano. The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mount Apo, located on the island of Mindanao.
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| bukid | /'bu.kid/ | mountain |
- Person 1: Ganahan ko muakus sa bukid karung adlawa. (/ga-NAH-han ko mou'a-KOOS sa BOO-kid ka-RUNG ad-LA-wa/) (I want to hike in the mountains today.)
- Person 2: Maayo kay daghang magandang tanawon didto. (/MA-a-yo kay DAG-hang ma-gan-DANG ta-NAW-on DIT-to/) (That's good because there are many beautiful views there.)
Rivers[edit | edit source]
A river is "suba" in Cebuano. Many rivers flow through the Philippines, including the Cagayan River in Luzon and the Mindanao River in Mindanao.
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| suba | /'su.ba/ | river |
- Person 1: Unsa manang suba ang atong gaagi-an kanina? (/OON-sa ma-NANG SU-ba ahng AH-tong ga-a-GI-an ka-NI-na/) (What was the name of the river we passed earlier?)
- Person 2: Ang ngalan sa suba mao ang Cagayan. (/ahng NGAL-ahn sa SU-ba mao ahng ka-GA-yan/) (The name of the river is Cagayan.)
Nature[edit | edit source]
Next, let's learn some vocabulary for things you might find in nature in the Philippines.
Trees[edit | edit source]
A tree is "kahoy" in Cebuano. The Philippines has a lot of beautiful trees, including coconut trees, mango trees, and banyan trees.
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kahoy | /ka.'hoj/ | tree |
- Person 1: Ganahan ko sa kahoy nga puno sa mangga. (/GA-na-han ko sa ka-HOY nga PU-no sa MANG-ga/) (I like the mango tree.)
- Person 2: Huwat lang kay ambot unsaon nimo pag-abut sa bunga. (/HOU-wat lang kay AHM-bot OON-sa'on NI-mo pag-a-BUT sa BOO-nga /) (Just wait and see how you will get the fruit.)
Waterfalls[edit | edit source]
A waterfall is "tinubdan sa tubig" in Cebuano. The Philippines has many beautiful waterfalls, including the Maria Christina Falls in Mindanao and the Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna.
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tinubdan sa tubig | /ti.nub.'dan sa 'tu.big/ | waterfall |
- Person 1: Naka-adto ka na ba sa tinubdan sa tubig sa Maria Christina Falls? (/NAH-ka ad-TO ka na ba sa TI-nub-dan sa TU-big sa ma-REE-a Kris-TEEN-a /) (Have you been to the waterfall at the Maria Christina Falls?)
- Person 2: Dili pa. Ganahan ko muadto didto sa sunod nga higayon. (/DI-LI pa, ga-NA-han ko mu-AD-to DIT-to sa SU-nod nga hi-GA-yon/ ) (Not yet. I would like to go there next time.)
Volcanoes[edit | edit source]
A volcano is "bulkan" in Cebuano. The Philippines is home to many active and inactive volcanoes, including Mount Pinatubo in Luzon and Mount Mayon in Bicol.
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| bulkan | /'bul.kan/ | volcano |
- Person 1: Ang kinaiyahan nga nindot kaayo sa Pilipinas naa sa mga bulkan nga naa diri. (/ahng ki-na-EE-ahan nga NIN-dot ka-A-yo sa pi-LI-pi-nas na-a sa mga buL-KAN nga na-a DRI /) (The beautiful nature in the Philippines is found in the volcanoes here.)
- Person 2: Makalagot pod kay delikado kaayo kung mu-aktong ang mga bulkan. (/ma-ka-LA-got pod kay de-li-KA-do ka-A-yo kung mu-AK-tong ang mga bul-KAN /) (It can also be frustrating because it is very dangerous if the volcanoes become active.)
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Health
- Food
- Survival phrases
- Drinks
- Feelings and Emotions
- Colors
- Clothes
- How to say Good Bye?
- Family
- Days of the Week
Sources[edit | edit source]