balay
bálay with stress marks
house (Cebuano/Waray)
Usage Note
Balay is the word for 'house' in Cebuano and Waray, two of the most widely spoken languages in the Visayas and Mindanao. Tagalog speakers encounter it frequently through music, drama, and regional media, making it broadly understood even outside those language communities.
Examples
" Maganda ang balay nila sa bundok. "
Natural Translation
Their house in the mountains is beautiful.
Literal Translation
Beautiful the house their in-the mountain.
" Malaki ang balay ng lolo namin sa Cebu. "
Natural Translation
Our grandfather's house in Cebu is large.
Literal Translation
Big the house of-the grandfather our in Cebu.
" Kahit Tagalog kami, naiintindihan namin ang salitang balay dahil madalas itong marinig sa mga kantang Bisaya. "
Natural Translation
Even though we are Tagalog, we understand the word balay because it is often heard in Visayan songs.
Literal Translation
Even-though Tagalog we, understand we the word-that balay because often it heard in the songs-that Visayan.
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