Conversations in Siargaonon
Words in a list will not teach you to speak. These are real exchanges — the ones you will actually have on Siargao — shown the way they happen.
Every spoken line below is a phrase verified by a native speaker. Where a conversation needs something not yet recorded in the dictionary, it appears in italics as a stage direction rather than as invented Siargaonon.
🐟 At the palengke
You're at the market in Dapa. The vendor catches your eye.
Vendor
Uno may imo?
What do you want?
You point at the fish.
You
Pila ang presyo?
How much is the price?
She names a price. It is not a good price.
You
Mahal karajaw!
It's too expensive!
You
Pwede mag-tawad?
Can I bargain?
You
Ubusi pa gamay
Lower it a little more.
She sighs, thinks, and nods.
You
Sige, paliton ko.
Okay, I'll buy it.
You
Bayad na.
Here's the payment.
Vendor
Salamat
Thank you.
You
Salamat Karajaw
Thank you very much.
🏍️ Hiring a habal-habal
You need to get to Cloud 9. A driver is waiting at the corner.
You
Habal-habal
Motorcycle taxi!
You
Pila an plete?
How much is the fare?
He tells you the fare. It's fair.
You
Taya na!
Let's go!
You're moving. The wind is loud. Coconut trees blur past.
You
Dugay pa ba?
Will it still take long?
He shakes his head. A minute later you see the break.
You
Diri ra.
Stop here, please.
You
Salamat
Thank you.
Driver
Way sapayan
You're welcome.
👋 Meeting someone
Someone strikes up a conversation with you on the beach.
Them
Kumusta naman kaw?
How are you?
You
Marajaw ra
I am fine.
Them
Umay imo ngayan?
What is your name?
You tell them your name.
Them
Pila may imo edad?
How old are you?
You tell them. They look surprised, then laugh.
Them
Haman kaw singod?
Where are you going?
You
Adto nako
I will leave now.
Them
Amping
Take care.
You
Nads an na
See you later.
🍚 Supper with a family
You're visiting a family in Pilar. It's nearly supper time.
You
Kumusta man si Mama?
How is mother doing?
She's well. She's in the kitchen, and she has heard you.
Them
Mangaon ta!
Let's eat!
There is far more food than anyone could eat. This is not a mistake.
You
Grabi kalami!
It's so delicious!
You
Busog na ako
I'm full already.
They put more rice on your plate anyway.
You
Salamat Karajaw
Thank you very much.
Them
Way sapayan
You're welcome.