While Filipino (Tagalog) is the official language of the Philippines, Cebuano is the most widely used vernacular in the archipelago. Cebuano is the native language not only of Cebu island but most of the central and southern Philippines, excluding only Panay and western Negros, Samar and eastern Leyte and southwestern Mindanao.

Pronunciation of Cebuano is easier than English. For example, there are a lot of A sounds in English: dark, race, about, hall, cat, sat and boat. All six words include the letter A, but all six A's are pronounced differently. In Cebuano, there is only one pronunciation per vowel. A as in park, E as in get, I as in big, O as in dog and U as in put. There is even a tendency to simplify the pronunciation some more, so that e and i, are often interchanged.
 

Where have you been?

Diin ka gikan?

movie

sinihan

How are you?

Kumusta ka (kamo)?

See you next time.

Hangtud unya hangtud sa sunod panahon.

Interjections & exclamations
Most conversations begin with a series of very personal questions usually considered impertinent in the Western world. On should not be offended when asked any of the questions below as Filipinos are genuinely interested in one's personal life.