Usage Note
Bisa is a direct borrowing from English visa and refers to the travel document; it is widely used in everyday Tagalog speech among overseas Filipino workers and travelers. Context and stress distinguish it from the native word bisà, which means effect or efficacy.
Examples
" Wala pa akong bisa. "
Natural Translation
I don't have a visa yet.
Literal Translation
None still my visa.
" Kailangan ko pang kumuha ng bisa bago ako makaalis ng bansa. "
Natural Translation
I still need to get a visa before I can leave the country.
Literal Translation
Need I still get of-visa before I can-leave of-country.
" Matagal siyang naghintay sa embahada dahil hindi pa raw kumpleto ang mga dokumentong kailangan para maaprubahan ang kanyang bisa. "
Natural Translation
He waited a long time at the embassy because the documents needed to approve his visa were reportedly still incomplete.
Literal Translation
Long he waited at embassy because not yet reportedly complete the documents needed for be-approved the his visa.
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