I Have a Cold (Bisaya)

  The Conversation Expressing bodily condition in Binisaya is an important knowledge for any foreigner living in a Bisaya-speaking place.  B...

 

The Conversation

Expressing bodily condition in Binisaya is an important knowledge for any foreigner living in a Bisaya-speaking place.  Bodily condition is rather a long lesson in Binisaya.  But for simplicity, we will only focus on catching a cold (gisip-on).

But first things first, cold is sip-on.  

                                There are two ways to say I caught a cold. 

                                    1. Gisip-on ko.  

                                  Gi - prefix added to a noun that refers to an                                                     illness or bodily condition or even                                                         feeling.  

                                             For example:

                                        gi + ubo (cough, noun)

                                        gi + kalibanga (diarrhea, noun)

                                        gi + nerbiyos (nerves, noun)

                                        gi + piskat (conjunctivitis, noun)

                                        gi + luod (disgusted) (verb functioning as an                                                             adjective)

                                    2.  Naa koy sip-on.   

                                   (I have a cold. naa - have/existential verb; ko-I,                                     sip-on-cold))

    Here is a caveat:  not all feelings/bodily conditions/illness can be prefixed with Gi-  and not all can be used with Naa.  But that will be a different lesson.

                           

   Sometimes when you have a sip-on (cold), you tend to hatsing (sneeze)  a lot.    

                  IF you have any question regarding this lesson, you may comment down below or join my Facebook page:  Cebuano Language Teacher. 

                Some cultural tidbits:  If you share how you're feeling to a local, don't be shocked if other people will find out about it.  It is just that being a community-oriented group, and out of concern for you, your neighbors/friend will likely ask someone their opinion about what your ailment or discomfort.  So if you have kalibanga (diarrhea) over some food you ate, don't be surprised that not only your friend will know about it, but half of the barangay, it's because they are probably blaming themselves for giving you the food that caused your diarrhea.  And probably will not be giving you the same food again.  

                    Kita na lang ta.