NUMBERS

The numbering system is a bit of a mess. Viayan numbers are used only up to number 10. However, even if the number is less than ten, if money or time is being counted, Spanish is used. For numbers of 11 and above, either Spanish or English is used - but there are exceptions, namely 100 and 1000, for which only the Bisaya is used. The larger or the more complicated the number, the more likely it is that English is preferred. For example, Spanish may still be used for 2000, but English is more likely for 2753. Numbers are often abbreviated, in whatever language. 1500 is usually "one-five". Lastly, as if things weren't complicated enough, Tagalog numbers are sometimes used instead of the Visayan numbers.

When counting money, 1 is simply piso. For time, one o'clock is ala una; all other hours are Spanish preceded by alas. For example, 3:00 is alas tres. Used only for time, the Spanish y medya indicates the 30-minute-mark. Hence, 4:30 is pronounced alas kwatro y medya. AM and PM are sa buntag and sa hapon respectively.

When counting things, Cebuanos always specify the object being counted. For example, three sacks of rice is "tulo ka sako." In most cases, "buok," the word for pieces, will suffice. It even works for humans. So instead of just saying "tulo," say "tulo ka buok."