Spare in Tagalog, Kumbati in Bisaya and Other Useful Words
The everyday words for spare, by the way, recently and hope in Tagalog and Bisaya, plus what Cebuanos usually mean when they say kumbati.
In this article
The most common way to say spare in Tagalog is ekstra (extra) or reserba (reserve), both borrowed from Spanish and used just as freely in Cebu and Davao. If you mean spare time, Filipinos say bakanteng oras or libreng oras. And if you heard someone say kumbati in Bisaya, they are almost certainly talking about fighting, arguing or standing up to someone.
This guide covers those words and a handful of others people often look up, such as "by the way", "recently", "hope" and "and", in both Tagalog and Cebuano (Bisaya). Each one comes with a short example you can actually use.
How to Say Spare in Tagalog (and Bisaya)
English "spare" has several meanings, so the Filipino word depends on what you are talking about. Here are the most useful versions.
| English | Tagalog | Bisaya (Cebuano) | Example use |
|---|---|---|---|
| spare (extra item) | ekstra | ekstra | spare key, spare shirt |
| spare tire | reserbang gulong / ekstrang gulong | reserba / ekstra nga ligid | in the car trunk |
| spare time | bakanteng oras / libreng oras | bakante nga oras / libre nga oras | free hours after work |
| spare change | barya | sinsilyo / barya | coins in your pocket |
| to spare someone (mercy) | patawarin / huwag saktan | pasayloon / ayaw pasakiti | "spare him" |
Example sentences
- Tagalog: May ekstra ka bang charger? (Do you have a spare charger?)
- Bisaya: Naa kay ekstra nga payong? (Do you have a spare umbrella?)
- Tagalog: Ano'ng ginagawa mo sa bakanteng oras mo? (What do you do in your spare time?)
- Bisaya: Wala koy barya, pasensya. (I have no spare change, sorry.)
What Does Kumbati Mean in Bisaya?
Kumbati (also spelled kombati) is widely understood in Cebuano-speaking areas as to fight, to quarrel or to fight back. It most likely comes from the Spanish combatir (to combat), which explains why it sounds a little formal or dramatic even in casual talk.
In everyday use, people tend to apply it in a few ways:
- To argue or answer back: a parent might complain that a teenager nakigkumbati (talked back or argued).
- To fight or brawl: for a physical scuffle, many speakers prefer away (fight) or sumbag (punch), but kumbati still gets the meaning across.
- To stand your ground: in a playful sense, it can mean to not back down, as in a debate or a game.
Usage varies by town and by generation. Some speakers in Davao hardly use the word, preferring away or lalis (argue), while older Cebuanos may use it more. If you are learning Bisaya, it is safer to understand kumbati than to throw it into conversation, since the tone can come across as confrontational.
The closest Tagalog equivalents are lumaban (to fight back), makipag-away (to quarrel) and sumagot nang pabalang (to answer back rudely).
By the Way in Tagalog and Bisaya
"By the way" in Tagalog is siya nga pala, often shortened to just nga pala or pala. It is used exactly like the English phrase, when something suddenly comes to mind.
- Tagalog: Siya nga pala, tumawag si Ana kanina. (By the way, Ana called earlier.)
In Bisaya, the little word diay does a lot of the same work. People say ay oo diay (oh yes, by the way) or tuck diay into the sentence.
- Bisaya: Ay oo diay, nitawag si Ana ganina. (Oh by the way, Ana called earlier.)
Recently Meaning in Tagalog
"Recently" in Tagalog is kamakailan or kamakailan lang. In conversation, people also say kailan lang or nitong mga nakaraang araw (in the past few days).
- Tagalog: Kamakailan lang ako lumipat sa Davao. (I moved to Davao only recently.)
- Bisaya: Bag-o lang ko nibalhin sa Cebu. (I just recently moved to Cebu.)
In Cebuano, bag-o lang (just recently) and karon lang (just now) are the go-to phrases.
Other Words People Search For
Several short English words are surprisingly tricky to translate because Filipino languages are built differently from English. Here are quick answers.
| English | Tagalog | Bisaya | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| and | at | ug / og | Tagalog also uses -ng links in phrases |
| hope (noun) | pag-asa | paglaum | umaasa ako = I hope |
| something | isang bagay / may | usa ka butang / naay | depends on the sentence |
| was | (no direct word) | (no direct word) | past tense is shown on the verb |
| free (no cost) | libre | libre | from Spanish |
Why there is no word for "was"
English uses "was" and "were" to mark the past. Tagalog and Cebuano mark time mainly through verb forms and time words such as noon (back then) in Tagalog or kaniadto (in the past) in Bisaya. So "I was a teacher" becomes Guro ako noon in Tagalog and Magtutudlo ko kaniadto in Bisaya.
The meaning of hope in Tagalog
Pag-asa means hope, and it carries real emotional weight in Filipino culture. It even appears as the name of PAGASA, the national weather agency, which you will see whenever a typhoon approaches. Read more in our guide to PAGASA typhoon signals.
What Does "Tagalog" Itself Mean?
The most commonly cited explanation is that Tagalog comes from taga-ilog, meaning "people from the river". Linguists still discuss the exact origin, but this is the version most Filipinos learn in school. Tagalog is the base of Filipino, the national language, while Cebuano (Bisaya) is the main language of Cebu, much of the Visayas and large parts of Mindanao, including Davao.
If you want the bigger picture, our article on the languages of Cebu and Davao explains how Bisaya, Tagalog and English mix in daily life.
Free Translation Tips: Tagalog to Bisaya
Free online translators handle Tagalog reasonably well but often stumble on Cebuano slang and word order. A few habits help:
- Translate short phrases, not long paragraphs. You get cleaner results and can spot errors.
- Check common particles. Words like diay, ba, man and gud change the tone of a Bisaya sentence but rarely translate neatly.
- Ask a local. Cebuanos and Davaoeños are generally happy to help, and you will learn the natural phrasing faster.
- Use a dedicated dictionary. Our Bisaya dictionary tool gives quick Cebuano-English lookups.
For more phrases, see our list of 50 Bisaya phrases for beginners and the explainer on wa pa and other common Bisaya words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is spare in Tagalog?
The everyday words are ekstra (extra) and reserba (reserve). For spare time, use bakanteng oras or libreng oras.
What does kumbati mean?
In Cebuano, kumbati is generally understood as to fight, quarrel or fight back, likely from the Spanish combatir. Usage and tone vary by area, so it is best to learn it in context.
How do you say "by the way" in Tagalog?
Say siya nga pala, or simply nga pala. In Bisaya, people often say ay oo diay.
What is "recently" in Tagalog and Bisaya?
In Tagalog it is kamakailan or kailan lang. In Bisaya, the common phrase is bag-o lang.
How do you say "and" in Tagalog and Bisaya?
Tagalog uses at, while Bisaya uses ug, which is often written og in casual messages.
