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34 Bisaya (Cebuano) Quotes, Sayings & Proverbs + Their Meanings

Cebuano people use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings.

Check out these proverbs and quotes below to gain some insight into Cebuano beliefs and ways of thinking. 

Below I’ve listed famous Bisaya quotes, inspiring Bisaya sayings and common Bisaya proverbs.

Famous Bisaya Quotes & Bisaya Proverbs With English Translation

Below I’ve listed the most famous Bisaya quotes as well as some common Cebuano proverbs with English translation. These are used often in day to day life.

  1. Ang dili kaantos dili masantos – He who does not endure will not become a saint.

This famous Bisaya quote is similar to the English proverb ‘no pain, no gain’.

  1. Dili na mabalik ang baha paingon sa bukid – You cannot bring the flood back up the mountain.

The meaning of this Bisaya quote is that what’s done cannot be undone. 

Famous Bisaya quote which reads 'you cannot bring the flood back up the mountain'.
  1. Kon gusto ikao magdali, maghinay – If you want to go fast, slow down.
  1. Dili tanang magkatawa malipayon – Not all who laugh are happy.
  1. Mas daghan ka nakuha, mas labaw ka mangita – The more you have, the more you want.
  1. Ang kalimot walay gahom – Forgetting has no power.

This Bisaya proverb teaches us that being forgetful gets us nowhere.

  1. Asa kaman ipadpad maoy imong palad – Wherever the wind blows, there lies your fortune.
  1. Ayaw adto og gubat kon wala kay bala – Do not go to war if you do not have ammunition.

This Bisaya quote means that you should not do something unprepared.

  1. Bisan ang uwan naay paglurang – Even rain has abatement.

This Bisaya saying means that everything has an end.

  1. Buhat ang pasulti-on dili sulti ang pabuhaton – Let the work say the words and not the words do the work.

The meaning of this Cebuano quote is that you should let your work speak for itself. 

  1. Dili tanang butang sili nga mohalang dayon – Not everything takes effect immediately like the instant taste of spiciness from a chilli pepper.
  1. Dili hungot ang kalibutan – The world is not a coconut shell.

The meaning of this Bisaya idiom is similar to the English idiom ‘there are plenty of fish in the sea’.

Famous Bisaya quote which reads 'the world is not a coconut shell'.
  1. Ang barko ang moduol sa pantalan, dili ang pantalan moduol sa barko – It is the ship that goes to the port, not the port that goes to the ship.

This Bisaya proverb teaches that the rich should serve the poor and not the other way around.

  1. Nagtuyok ang kalibotan – The world is rotating.

The meaning of this Bisaya saying is that one moment you could be at the top of your game but the next you are not.

  1. Sa usa ka bulig naa gayod usa ka buang – There’s always a crazy one in a bunch.

The meaning of this Bisaya quote is that there’s always a bad person in every group.

  1. Unaha usa og silhig ang imong tugkaran, ayha manghinlo sa uban – Clean your lawn first before you clean others’ lawns.

This Bisaya proverb indicates that you should deal with your own business/problems before criticizing someone else.

  1. Walay aso makumkom – There is no smoke that can be held.

This quote means that no secret can be kept forever and will come out eventually.

Beautiful Bisaya Quotes & Bisaya Sayings

Below I’ve listed a range of famous and inspiring Bisaya life quotes and Bisaya sayings.

  1. Sa kinabuhi wala’y butang nga sigurado, kay kada minuto pwedeng naay magbag-o – In life nothing is certain because every minute, something can change.
  1. Ang gaba dili magsaba – Bad karma comes without a noise.

This Bisaya quote tells us that punishment for our wrongdoings will come unexpectedly.

Famous Bisaya saying which reads 'bad karma comes without a noise'.
  1. Walay mahay nga guana – No regret at first.

This quote means that regret usually comes later.

  1. Walay man kardaba mamunga og tundan – A kardaba banana tree does not give tundan banana fruits.

This famous Bisaya quote is similar to the English proverb ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ and means that children replicate their parents’ behavior.

  1. Sa panahon karun, salug nalang intawn ang musalo nimo kung mahulog ka – In this day and age, only the floor will catch you if you fall.
  1. Madala nimo ang baka sa suba apan dili nimo mainom– You can lead a horse to the river, but you can’t make him drink.

This proverb means that you can show someone how to do something but you can’t make them do it.

  1. Bisan ang kabaw nga naay upat ka tiil masipyat – Even the four legged carabao loses its footing.

This Bisaya saying means that we all make mistakes and nobody is perfect.

  1. Unsaon ang kumpay kon wala nay kabayo – What use is the grass if the horse is dead?

Best Bisaya Idioms & Bisaya Expressions

Below I’ve listed the most well-known Bisaya idioms and expressions. Many of these have hidden meanings.

  1. Tubig-tubigan – Having a lot of water.

This Bisaya idiom is actually used to mean that someone has a lot of money.

  1. Utok bolinaw – The brains of a small fish.

The true meaning of this Cebuano idiom is ‘a very dumb person’.

  1. Abot sa pikas bukid – Reaching the other mountain.

This idiom is used to describe someone who talks loudly.

  1. Wati na lang ang wala ka pirma – Waiting for the earthworm’s signature.

This Bisaya idiom is used to talk about someone who is expected to pass away soon.

Famous Bisaya idiom which reads 'waiting for the earthworm's signature'.
  1. Baga ug nawong  – Thick faced.

This expression is used to talk about someone who does not feel ashamed.

  1. Kapayason – Just like a papaya.

This Bisaya idiom is used to describe a ‘crybaby’.

  1. Katol ug kamot – Itchy hands.

This idiom is used to talk about someone who cannot resist stealing.    

  1. Gigukod sa plansa – Chased by the flat iron.

This Bisaya idiom is used to talk about someone who’s wearing wrinkled clothes.

  1. Igputi sa uwak – When crows turn white.

This idiom is similar to the English version ‘when pigs fly’. It means that something will never happen.

Check out the video below which features a range of famous Bisaya quotes and well-known Bisaya sayings & proverbs.

Thanks for reading this post on the best Bisaya quotes about life, famous Bisaya sayings and fascinating Bisaya proverbs.

These Bisaya quotes & sayings give an interesting insight into the Cebuano beliefs and language.

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