Waray language

**Wáray-Wáray** or **Warai** (commonly spelled as _Waray_; also _Winaray_ or _Lineyte-Samarnon_) is a language spoken in the provinces of Samar, Leyte, and Biliran in the Philippines.

The **Waraynon** group of languages consists of Waray, Waray Sorsogon, and Masbate Sorsogon. All the Warayan languages belong to the Visayan language family and are related to Cebuano and more closely to Hiligaynon and Masbateño.

## Usage

Waray-Waray is one of the ten officially recognized regional languages in the Philippines and is used by the local government. It is spoken throughout the islands, especially in the Eastern Visayas region. But it is also spoken in some parts of Mindanao, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Metro Manila where Warays went to. There is also a very small number of Filipinos abroad, especially in the United States, that speak this language.

## Sounds

The Waray language has sixteen consonants: . There are three main vowels: _a_ , _i_ , and _u_ . Consonants  and  were once allophone but cannot interchange, like _palaron_ (to be lucky) [from _palad_, palm (because someone's luck is seen in the palm)] but not _paladon_ and _tagadiín_ (from where) [from _diín_, where] but not _tagariín_.

### Numbers

Native numbers are used for numbers one through ten. From eleven onwards, Spanish numbers are exclusively used in Waray today, their native counterparts being almost unheard of by the majority of native speakers numbers (except for gatus for _hundred_ and yukot for _thousand_). Some, specially the old ones, are spoken alongside the Spanish counterparts.

|English|Native Waray|Borrowed from Spanish|
| --- | --- | --- |
|One|Usá|Uno|
|Two|Duhá|Dos|
|Three|Tuló|Tres|
|Four|Upat|Kuwatro|
|Five|Limá|Singko|
|Six|Unom|Seiz/says|
|Seven|Pitó|Siete/syete|
|Eight|Waló|Ocho/otso|
|Nine|Siyám|Nuebe/nueve|
|Ten|Napúlô|Diez|
|Eleven|Napúlô kag usá|Onse|
|Twenty|Karuhaan|Baynte|
|Thirty|Katloan|Trenta|
|Forty|Kap-atan|Kuwarenta|
|Fifty|Kalim-an|Singkwenta|
|Sixty|Kaunman|Sisenta|
|Seventy|Kapitoan|Sitenta|
|Eighty|Kawaloan|Ochienta|
|Ninety|Kasiaman|Nobenta|
|One Hundred|Usa ka Gatus|Cien|
|One Thousand|Usa ka Yukot|Mil|
|One Million|Usa ka milyon|milyon|

### Some common words and phrases

Below are examples of the Waray spoken in Metropolitan Tacloban and the nearby areas:
- Can you understand Waray?: _¿Nakakaintindi / Nasabut ka hin Winaray?_ (_hin_ or _hiton_)
- Good morning (noon / afternoon / evening): _Maupay nga aga (udto / kulop / gab-i)_
- Thank you: _Salamat_
- I love you: _Hinihigugma ko ikaw_ or _Ginhihigugma ko ikaw_ or _Pina-ura ta ikaw_
- Where are you from? : _¿Taga diin ka?_ or _¿Taga nga-in ka?_
- What is your name? : _¿Ano it imo ngaran?_
- Who are you?: _¿Hin-o ka?_
- How are you? : _¿Kumusta ka na?_
- I'm fine / In God's will: _Kalu-oy sa Dyos_
- How much is this? : _¿Tag pira ini?_
- I like this / that: _ Karuyag ko ini / itun_
- I can't understand: _Diri ako nakakaintindi_ or _Diri ako nakakasabut_
- I don't know: _Diri ako maaram_ or _Ambot_
- What: _Ano_
- Who: _Hin-o_
- Where: _Hain_ or _Di-in_
- When (future): _San-o_
- When (past): _Kakan-o_
- Why: _Kay-ano_
- How: _¿Gin-aano?/¿Patiunan-o?_
- Yes: _Oo_
- No: _Dire_ _/_ _Diri_
- There: _Adto_ or _Didto_ or _Ngad-to_
- Here: _Didi_ or _Nganhi_ or _Din-hi_
- Up: _Igbaw_
- Down: _Ubos_
- Top: _Baw-baw_
- Bottom: _Ilarom_ or _Sirong_
- Right: _Tu-o_
- Left: _Wala_
- Far: _Harayu / Harayo_
- Near: _Hirane / Hirani_
- Front or in front: _Atubang_ or _Atubangan_
- Night: _Gab-i_
- Day: _Adlaw_
- Nothing: _Waray_
- Good: _Maupay_
- Beautiful: _Mahusay_
- Handsome: _Gwapo_
- Boy: _Lalaki_
- Girl: _Babayi_
- Gay: _Bayot_
- Lesbian: _Lesbyana_
- I'm a friend of...: _Sangkay ak ni..._
- I'm lost here: _Nawawara ak didi._
- Maybe: _Bangin_
- I wish...: _Kunta_

#### Technical terms

- Gold - _Bulawan_
- Steel - _Puthaw_
- Car - _Awto /_ _Sarakyan /_ _Kotchi / Sasakyan_
- Airplane - _Edro /_ _Eroplano_
- Airport - _Lupadan /_ _Landingan_

#### Astronomical terms

- Earth - _Kalibutan_
- Moon - _Bulan_; Indonesian - _Bulan_
- Sun - _Adlaw_
- Star - _Bituon_ Indonesian - _bintang_

#### Natural terms

- Wind - _Hangin_; Indonesian - _Angin_
- Fire - _Kalayo_
- Land - _Tuna_; Indonesian - _Tanah_
- Water - _Lawod / Tubig_
- Nature - _Libong_
- Mountain - _Bukid_; Indonesian - _Bukit_
- Sea - _Dagat_
- Ocean - _Kalawdan_ Indonesian - _Laut_ i.e. ka-laut-an
- Island - _Puro / Isla_ Indonesian - _Pulau_
- Archipelago - _Kapuruan_; Indonesian - _Kepulauan_
- River - _Salog_
- Lake - _Danaw_; Indonesian - _Danau_

#### Parts of the house

- House - _Balay_ or _Payag_
- Room - _Kwarto_ or _Sulod_
- Bedroom - _Sulod-Katurugan_
- Kitchen - _Kusina_
- Outdoor Kitchen - _Abuhan_
- Living Room - _Sala_
- Dining Room - _Kaunan_
- Bathroom - _Kubeta / Kasilyas_ _/_ _Karigu-an / Banyo_
- Stairs - _Hagdan / Hagdanan_
- Garage - _Garahe / Garahi_
- Roof - _Atup / Atop_

#### Members of the Family

- Father - _Amay / Tatay / Papa_
- Mother - _Iroy /_ _Nanay_ _/_ _Mama_
- Child - _Anak_
- Son - _Anak nga Lalaki_
- Daughter - _Anak nga Babayi_
- Sibling - _Bugto_
- Brother - _Bugto nga lalaki_
- Sister - _Bugto nga Babayi_
- Grandparent - _Apoy_
- Grandfather - _Lolo_
- Grandmother - _Lola_
- Cousin - _Patod_
- Nephew/Niece - _Umangkon_
- Son-in-Law/Daughter-in-Law - _Umagad_
- Brother-in-Law - _Bayaw_
- Sister-in-Law - _Hipag_
- Father-in-Law/Mother-in-Law - _Ugangan_
- Oldest Child - _Suhag_
- Youngest Child - _Puto_ or _Pudo_

#### Fashion words

- Hat - _Kalo_
- Pants - _Saruwal_
- Clothes - _Bado /_ _Duros_
- Belt - _Paha_
- Socks - _Medyas_
- Shoes - _Sapatos_

#### Food

- Bread - _Tinapay_
- Rice (cooked) - _Kan-on / Luto_
- Rice (unhusked and raw) - _Bugas_
- Rice (still in husk) - _Humay_
- Rice (charred) - _Tukag_
- Viand - _Sura_
- Coffee - _Kape_
- Sugar - _Asukar_
- Salt - _Asin_
- Soy Sauce - _Toyo_
- Vinegar - _Suoy / Suka_

#### Animals

- Dog - _Ayam / Iru / Ido_
- Cat - _Uding /_ _Misay_
- Rat - _Yatot / Yatut_
- Crocodile - _Buaya_
- Bird - _Tamsi_
- Snake - _Halas_
- Cow - _Baka_
- Pig - _Baboy_
- Goat - _Kanding_
- Carabao - _Karabaw_
- Fish - _Isda_
- Crab - _Masag_
- Shrimp - _Pasayan_
- Lobster - _Tapusok_

##### Indonesian/Malay Cognates

- Mulay (English: to play)- from Indonesian _mulai_
- Balay (English: house) - from Indonesian _balai_
- Sarapati (English: pigeon) - from Indonesian _merpati_
- Kapuruan (English: archipelago) - from Indonesian/Malay _kepulauan_
- Posporo (English: match) - from Indonesian/Malay _posporo_
- Mata (English: eyes) - from Indonesian/Malay _mata_
- Bulan (English: moon/month) - from Indonesian/Malay _bulan_
- Ini (English: this/these) - from Indonesian/Malay _ini_
- Kamo (English: you [plural]) - from Indonesian/Malay _kamu_

##### Spanish

- Abandonada (Spanish: Abandonado/a) – abandoned
- Abaniko (Spanish: Abanico) – fan
- Abriha (Spanish: Abrir, Filipino: Abrihin) – to open
    - Abrelata (Spanish: Abrelatas) – tin-opener/can opener
- Abril (Spanish: Abril) – April
- Abogado (Spanish: Abogado) – lawyer, attorney
- Aborido (Spanish: Aburrido) – bored (used in Tagalog as 'anxious, confused')
- Akasya (Spanish: Acacia) – acacia tree
- Aksidente (Spanish: Accidente) – accident
- Adurnuha (Spanish: Adornar, Filipino: Adurnuhan) – to decorate
- Agrabiyado (Spanish: Agraviado) – being aggrieved
- Aginaldo (Spanish: Aguinaldo) – Christmas gift
- Agosto (Spanish: Agosto) – August
- Ahensiya (Spanish: Agencia) – agency
- Ahente (Spanish: Agente) – agent
- Alahas (Spanish: Alhaja) – jewel
- Alambre (Spanish: Alambre) – wire
- Alkansiya (Spanish: Alcancía) – piggy bank
- Alpilir (Spanish: Alfiler) – pin
- Alsaha (Spanish: Alzar, Filipino: Alsahin) – Ambisyoso (Spanish: Ambicioso) – ambitious
- Ambisyon (Spanish: Ambición) – ambitionArbularyo (Spanish: Herbolario) - Medicine man (from "Herbo" -herb)
- Arina (Spanish: Harina) – flour
- Arkitekto (Spanish: Arquitecto) – architect
- Armado (Spanish: Armado) – armed
- Armibal (Spanish: Almíbar) – syrup
- Artista (Spanish: Artista) – artist (used in Waray Waray as 'actor/actress')
- Ariyos (Spanish: Arreos) – tack (used in Waray Waray as 'earrings')
- Asintado (Spanish: Asentado) – settled
- Asero (Spanish: Acero) – steel
- Asno (Spanish: Asno) – donkey
- Asoge (Spanish: Azogue) – mercury
- Asosasyon (Spanish: Asociación) – association
- Asukar (Spanish: Azúcar) – sugar
- Asul (Spanish: Azul) – blue
- Asyatiko (Spanish: Asiatico) – Asian
- Intyendeha (Spanish: Atender) – to attend to
- Atrasado (Spanish: Atrasado) – overdue, slow (clock), backward (used in Waray Waray as 'late')
- Ayudaha (Spanish: Ayudar, Filipino: Ayudahan) – to help
- Banyo/Kasilyas (Spanish: Baño) – bathroom, toilet
- Baraha (Spanish: Baraja) – deck of playing cards
- Baratilyo (Spanish: Baratillo) – flea market (used in Waray Waray as 'bargain sale')
- Barato (Spanish: Barato) – cheap
- Barbero (Spanish: Barbero) – barber
- Barbula (Spanish: Válvula) – valve
- Bareta (Spanish Bareta) – bar
- Bagahe (Spanish: Bagaje) – baggage
- Baho (Spanish : Vaho) – steam (used in Waray Waray as 'foul smell')
- Bintana (Spanish: Ventana) – window
- Bintilador (Spanish: Ventilador) – electric fan
- Birhen (Spanish: Virgen) – virgin
- Bisagra (Spanish: Bisagra) – hinge
- Bisikleta (Spanish: Bicicleta) – bicycle
- Bisitaha (Spanish: Visitar) – to visit
- Botika/Botica/Parmasya/Farmacia - drugstore, pharmacy
- Conbensido (Spanish: Convencido) - convinced
- Demanda (Spanish: Demanda) – demand
- Demokrasiya (Spanish: Democracia) – democracy
- Demonyo (Spanish:Demonio) – demon, evil spirit
- Huygo (Spanish:Juego)- game (used in Waray Waray as 'gambling'
- Hugador (Spanish:Jugador)- game (used in Waray Waray as 'gambler'
- Dentista (Spanish: Dentista) – dentist
- Departamento (Spanish: Departamento) – department, bureau
- Depensa (Spanish: Defensa) – defense
- Deposito (Spanish: Depósito) – depot (fuel), deposit (money)
- Desisyon (Spanish: Decisión) – decision

- Diyos/a (Spanish: Dios/a) – god/goddess
- Doble (Spanish: Doble) – double
- Doktor/a (Spanish: Doctor/a) – doctor
- Don (Spanish: Don) – Mr. (used in Waray Waray to address a rich man)
- Donya (Spanish: Doña) – Mrs. (used in Waray Waray to address a rich woman)
- Dos (Spanish: Dos) – two
- Dose (Spanish: Doce) – twelve
- Dosena (Spanish: Docena) – dozen
- Drama (Spanish: Drama) – drama
- Droga (Spanish: Droga) – drugs
- Karsonsilyo/Carsoncillo (Spanish: Carsoncillo) – boxer shorts (used in Waray Waray as 'shorts')
- Marigoso (Spanish: Amargoso) - bittermelon
- Padre (Spanish: Padre) - father (used in Waray Waray as a title for a Roman Catholic priest)

##### Portuguese

- Porta (Portuguese: Porta) - door
- Multo (Portuguese: Morto) - ghost

##### Nahuatl

- Achuete (Nahuatl: _Achiotl_; Mexican Spanish: _Achiote_) – annatto seeds used to give food a reddish color
- Kakao/Kakaw (Cacao) (Nahuatl: _Cacahuatl_) – cacao or cocoa
- Sayote (Nahuatl: _Chayotli_; Mexican Spanish: _Chayote_) – a Mexican squash
- Tiyangge (Nahuatl: _Tianquiztli_; Mexican Spanish: _Tianguis_) – seasonal markets
- Tsokolate (Nahuatl: _Xocolatl_) – chocolate

##### Chinese

- Bakya (Fukien Chinese) – native wooden sandals
- Bihon – Vermicelli (made of rice flour)
- Bitsin (Fukien Chinese: Bi chhin) – monosodium glutamate
- Jueteng (Fukien Chinese) – illegal numbers game
- Lumpia (Fukien Chinese) – spring rolls

##### English

- Basket – basket
- Basketbol – basketball
- Basketbulan - basketball court
- Bilib - believe
- Bilyar - billiard
- Bilyaran - billiard hall
- Chiki - check
- Dyeepnee – jeep
- Elementari – elementary
- Ekonomiks - economics
- Eksport – export
- Ekpres - express
- Erkon - air con
- Greyd – grade
- Groseri – grocery
- Hai Skul – High School
- Iskor – score
- Iskrin – screen
- Ispiker - speaker
- Keyk – cake
- Kostomer/Kustomer – customer
- Kompyuter – computer
- Kondisyoner - conditioner
- Kontrol - control
- Krim - cream
- Kukis - cookies
- Lider – leader
- Losyon - lotion
- Manedyer – manager
- Masel – muscle
- Makroekonomiks - macroeconomics
- Maikroekonomiks - microeconomics
- Isparkol - sparkle

##### Cebuano

- Bana (Cebuano: Bana) - husband

## Trivia

- Waray is the only language in the Philippines that uses the inverted question mark (¿...?) and the inverted exclamation point (¡...!).

## Related pages

- Waray Wikipedia

## Other websites

- Radyo Waraynon - Waraynon Internet Radio Station
- Waray Museum Blog featuring Waray literature
- Online Lineyte-Samarnon (Waray)-English Dictionary (also with Videos, Photos, Music, News, Local Destinations)
- Waray lessons
- Bansa.org Waray Dictionary
- Ethnologue Report for Waray
- A downloadable Waray dictionary with etymologies and Cebuano, Tagalog cognates by Andras Rajki
- Waray Explained  (Online Tutorial)

## Infobox (language)

- **name**: Waray-Waray
- **nativename**: Winaray
- **familycolor**: Austronesian
- **region**: Eastern Visayas
- **speakers**: 3.1 million; 5th most spoken native language in the Philippines
- **fam2**: Malayo-Polynesian languages, Malayo-Polynesian
- **fam3**: Philippine languages, Philippine
- **fam4**: Central Philippine languages, Central Philippine
- **fam5**: Visayan languages, Visayan
- **fam6**: Central Visayan languages, Central Visayan
- **script**: Latin alphabet, Latin (Filipino alphabet, Filipino variant);
_Historically written in Baybayin_
- **nation**: Regional language in the Philippines
- **agency**: Commission on the Filipino Language
- **iso2**: war
- **iso3**: war