Waray

A lively Visayan language from Eastern Visayas, full of humor, warmth, and expressive storytelling.  

Waray, or Waray-Waray, is spoken in Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, and Biliran. It’s one of the major Visayan languages known for its cheerful rhythm and quick wit.

Click here to view a map of where Waray is spoken in the Philippines. 

💡 Fun Fact:  The word “waray” means “nothing” in the language — yet the people who speak it are known for their vibrant stories and laughter!  

  •   Hello → Kumusta (koo-MOOS-tah) 
  •   How are you? → Kumusta ka? (koo-MOOS-tah kah) 
  •   I’m fine, thank you → Maupay ako, salamat. (MAO-pay ah-KOH sah-LAH-maht) 
  •   Thank you → Salamat. (sah-LAH-maht) 
  •   You’re welcome → Waray sapayan. (wah-RAI sah-PAH-yahn) 
  •   Goodbye → Paalam. (pah-AH-lahm) 
  •   Good morning → Maupay nga aga. (MAO-pay ngah AH-gah) 
  •   Good afternoon → Maupay nga kulop. (MAO-pay ngah KOO-lop) 
  •   Good evening → Maupay nga gab-i. (MAO-pay ngah gah-BEE) 
  •   Please → Alayon. (ah-LAH-yon)  
  •   Sorry → Pasaylo. (pah-SIGH-loh) 
  •   Yes / No → Oo / Diri. (oh-oh / DEE-ree)  

  •  I love you → Hinigugma ko ikaw. (hee-nee-GOOG-ma koh ee-KAW)
  •   How much? → Pira ini? (PEE-rah ee-NEE) 
  •   Where is ___? → Hain an ___? (HINE ahn ___) 
  •   I want to go to ___ → Karuyag ko kumadto ha ___ (kah-ROO-yahg koh koo-MAHD-toh hah ___) 
  •   Stop here → Didi la. (DEE-dee lah) 
  •   I don’t understand → Diri ako nakakasabot. (DEE-ree ah-KOH nah-kah-kah-sah-BOHT) 
  •   The place is beautiful → Maupay it lugar! (MAO-pay eet loo-GAHR)  
  •   Delicious → Lami. (lah-MEE) 
  •   Water → Tubig. (TOO-big) 
  •   Bill, please → Paki-hatag han bill. (pah-kee-HAH-tag hahn beel) 
  •   I’m hungry → Gutom ako. (GOO-tohm ah-KOH) 
  •   Let’s eat! → Kaon kita! (KAH-on kee-TAH)  
  •   Help! → Bulig! (BOO-lig) 
  •   Police → Pulis. (poo-LEES) 
  •   I’m lost → Nawara ako. (nah-WAH-rah ah-KOH) 
  •   I need a doctor → Kinahanglan ko hin doktor. (kee-nah-HANG-lahn koh heen dok-TOR) 
  •   Be careful! → Mag-amping ka! (mag-AHM-ping kah)
  •   One – Usa (oo-SAH) 
  •   Two – Duha (doo-HAH) 
  •   Three – Tulo (too-LOH) 
  •   Four – Upat (oo-PAHT) 
  •   Five – Lima (lee-MAH) 
  •   Six – Unom (oo-NOHM) 
  •   Seven – Pito (pee-TOH) 
  •   Eight – Walo (wah-LOH) 
  •   Nine – Siyam (shyahm) 
  •   Ten – Napulo (nah-POO-loh)