Cuyonon language


Cuyonon is a regional Bisayan language spoken on the coast of Palawan and the Cuyo Islands in the Philippines. Cuyonon had been the lingua franca of the province of Palawan until recently when migration flow into the region rapidly increased. Forty-three percent of the total population of Palawan during the late 1980s spoke and used Cuyonon as a language. Later studies showed a significant decrease in the number of speakers due to an increase of Tagalog-speaking immigrants from Luzon.
The Cuyonon language is classified by the Summer Institute of Linguistics as belonging to the Central Philippine, Western Bisayan, Kuyan subgroup. The largest number of speakers lives in the Cuyo Group of Islands, which is located between northern Palawan and Panay Island.

Phonology

Consonants

Vowels

Unlike most Philippine languages, Cuyonon only includes one close vowel. The close vowel only occurs in loanwords from Spanish, either directly or through Tagalog.

Simple greetings

  • Good afternoon – Mayad nga apon
  • Good evening/night – Mayad nga gabi
  • How are you? – Komosta kaw?
  • I'm fine/good and you? – Mayad da, ay ikaw?
  • I'm just fine, by the grace of God – Kaloy' Dios, mayad da.
  • Thank you – Salamat
  • Where are you going? – Adin kaw mapakon?
  • What are you doing? – Agaiwan kaw? / Anono imong ingboboat?
  • Oh, nothing in particular. – Ara ra.
  • Please come in. – Dayon kamo.
  • Long time no see. – Maboay kita ren nga ara ibagatan.

    Common expressions

CuyononKinaray-aTagalogEnglish
Mayad nga timpranoMayad nga agaMagandáng umagaGood morning
Mayad nga ogtong adlawMayad nga adlawonMagandáng tanghalìGood noon
Mayad nga aponMayad nga haponMagandáng haponGood afternoon
Mayad nga siremMayad nga sirëmMagandáng takipsilimGood dusk
Mayad nga gabiMayad nga gabi-iMagandáng gabíGood evening
Mayad nga adlawMayad nga adlawMagandáng arawGood day
AromanSarëm-anBukasTomorrow
DominggoDomingoLinggoSunday
BolanBulanBuwánMonth
DagonTuigTaónYear
Matamang salamat nga salamatMaraming salamatThanks a lot
Inggegegman ta kawGinahigugma ta ikawMahal kitáI love you
Ingerepan ako kanimoGa-ëgët takën kanimoNaiinís akó sa iyoI hate you
EenHëëdOoYes
Beken/IndiIndî/bëkënHindîNo
AmosDali rënTara naLet's go
MaderepMapisanMasipagIndustrious
MaambengMasadyaMasayáHappy
MasaborManamitMasarápDelicious
MabaskegMabaskëgMalakásStrong
Ambog / BoritenHambogMayabangBoastful
KabosMangoMangmangDumb
EngeyBuang/buangitBaliwCrazy
BengelBëngëlBingíDeaf
MaisegMaisëgMatapangBrave
MaloyoMahinayMabagalSlow
TekaganBiga-ën/BigatlënMalandîFlirtatious
DiabloYawa/KadëMasamaDemon
BoringHigkë/BuringDumiDirt
MakoriMabëdlay/MalisëdMahirapDifficult
AdlekHadlëkTakótAfraid
LalakiLakiLalakiMale
Babai'Bahi/BayiBabaeFemale
ManongManongKuyaOlder brother
ManangManangAteOlder sister
Matinlo kawGwapa 'kawMaganda kaYou are beautiful
Goapo kawGwapo 'kawPogi kaYou are manly
Maleban kawMa-alwan 'kawMabait kaYou are kind
AmbligHalong/Mag-amligMag-ingat kaTake care
KarawatSipalLaroPlay
TioAyamAsoDog
Koti'KutiPusaCat
AmbeBalabawDagaRat
Palamingko'Lasga/GëyëmLanggamAnt
KalagKalagKaluluwaSpirit
Aso'AsoUsok/AsoSmoke
TobigTubigTubigWater
O'bongBabawItaasUp
IdalemDalëmIlalimDown
KoartaKwartaSalapíMoney
SinsilioSinsilyoBaryaCoins
PalingkiMercado/TiendaPalengke/PamilihanMarket

Parts of the body

CuyononKinaray-aTagalogEnglish
OloUloUloHead
MataMataMataEye
BokBuhokBuhokHair
IrongIrongIlongNose
TalingâTalingaTainga/TengaEar
BibigBibigLabiLip
BabaBabaBibigMouth
IpenUntoNgipinTooth
PisngiYahënPisngiCheek
DaíDahiNooForehead