In 30 seconds: You can get around Siargao in English, but a few local words change the mood of every exchange. Learn maayong buntag (good morning), salamat (thank you), pila? (how much?), asa? (where?) and lami! (delicious!). Say them with a smile, do not worry about getting them perfect, and you will be surprised how often people answer you in kind.
What language do they speak in Siargao?
Siargao belongs to Surigao del Norte, in a Visayan-speaking corner of Mindanao. The local language is Surigaonon, closely related to Cebuano, which most people across the region simply call Bisaya. Bisaya is widely understood on the island, Filipino (Tagalog) is understood too, and English is common wherever visitors are: guesthouses, surf schools, boat trips and cafés.
So no, you do not need to learn a language before you land. The words below are not about getting by. They are about saying hello properly to the people whose island you are staying on. In our guide to travelling Siargao kindly, we called "salamat" the easiest act of kindness on the island. This is the longer list.
One honest note: Surigaonon has its own words and accent, and you will hear local variations of some phrases below. We have kept to the common Bisaya forms that are understood everywhere.
How to pronounce it (the two-minute version)
- Vowels are short and clean, a bit like Spanish or Italian: a as in "father", i as in "see", o and u sit close together.
- Say every letter. "Maayo" is ma-AH-yo, not "may-oh".
- "Ng" is one sound, like the end of "sing". "Mga" is said "ma-NGA".
- Stress moves around. You will pick it up by ear. Nobody minds if you land it on the wrong syllable.
Greetings for every time of day
- Maayong buntag (ma-AH-yong BOON-tag): good morning. The one you will use most, from the dawn surf check to your first coffee.
- Maayong udto: good noon, around midday.
- Maayong hapon: good afternoon.
- Maayong gabii (ga-BEE-ee): good evening.
- Kumusta?: how are you? The classic answer is Maayo man: I'm fine.
- Amping!: take care. A warm way to say goodbye. You will also hear ingat, the Tagalog equivalent.
Please, thank you and the polite bits
- Salamat (sa-LA-mat): thank you. Daghang salamat: thank you very much.
- Walay sapayan: you're welcome.
- Palihug (pa-LEE-hoog): please.
- Oo / Dili: yes / no.
- Sige (SEE-geh): okay, sure, go ahead. Endlessly useful.
- Wala ko kasabot: I don't understand. Said with a laugh, it usually leads to the conversation switching into English.
You will also hear po tacked onto sentences, as in "salamat po". It is a Tagalog marker of respect, often used with older people, and it is always fine to borrow.
Calling people: Ate, Kuya, Manong, Manang
In the Philippines, people are rarely addressed by "excuse me" alone. Family words do the job, and they are friendly, not over-familiar:
- Ate (AH-teh): older sister, for a woman around your age or a bit older.
- Kuya (KOO-ya): older brother, the same for a man.
- Manang / Manong: respectful forms for older women and men, common in the Visayas and Mindanao.
"Kuya, palihug" to get a driver's attention, "salamat, Ate" at the market stall: that is most of the trick.
Out and about: prices, directions, food
- Pila? (PEE-la): how much? Point at something and ask Tagpila ni?: how much is this?
- Asa ang...?: where is...? Add the place in English and you will be understood.
- Diri lang: just here. Handy at the end of a tricycle ride.
- Para!: stop! Used across the Philippines to ask a ride to pull over.
- Hinay-hinay lang: slowly, take it easy. For drivers, and as a philosophy for island life.
- Lami! (LA-mee): delicious! The best compliment you can give a cook.
- Busog na ko: I'm full.
Agreeing a fare before you set off is normal; our Siargao travel tips cover cash, rides and scooters in more detail.
A five-phrase starter pack
If you remember nothing else, take these five to the island and use them every day:
- Maayong buntag when you walk in anywhere in the morning.
- Salamat every single time someone helps you.
- Pila? at the market and the sari-sari store.
- Lami! after a meal you loved.
- Amping! when you leave.
Write them on your phone's lock screen for the first couple of days. By day three, they come out on their own. Community nights, markets and sunset gatherings are a good place to practise: keep an eye on our events page for what's coming up in General Luna.
Frequently asked questions
What language do people speak in Siargao?
The local language is Surigaonon, a Visayan language closely related to Cebuano, which most people simply call Bisaya. Bisaya is widely understood on the island, Filipino (Tagalog) is understood too, and English is common wherever visitors are, from accommodation to surf schools.
Do I need to speak Bisaya to visit Siargao?
No. You can travel Siargao comfortably in English. A few local words are not a requirement, they are a courtesy, and people tend to respond to them with a big smile.
How do you say thank you in Siargao?
Salamat (sa-LA-mat). For extra warmth, say daghang salamat, which means thank you very much. You will also hear salamat po, where po is a Tagalog marker of respect.
How do I ask how much something costs in Bisaya?
Point and ask Pila? (PEE-la), meaning how much, or Tagpila ni? for how much is this. Expect the answer in English or in numbers if you look puzzled, which is perfectly normal.
Is Bisaya the same as Tagalog?
No. They are related Philippine languages but distinct, with different everyday vocabulary. Siargao sits in a Visayan-speaking part of Mindanao, so Bisaya words go further here, although Tagalog is widely understood.