panaw
/ˈpanaw/
The Bisaya word for "journey" is panaw.
panaw refers to a trip or a voyage.
Meaning: trip, a voyage (noun)
Which one should you use?
In everyday conversational Bisaya, people more commonly use the Spanish-derived word biyahe to refer to a trip or journey.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpanaw/
Did you know?
- In some specific Cebuano dialects, panaw can also be used to describe the process of a person 'departing' or passing away, rather than just a trip.
- The word panaw is a cognate of the Indonesian word panau, but beware that in many contexts, the latter actually refers to a skin fungus rather than travel.
- The word panaw is an inheritance from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian root *panaw, connecting Bisaya speakers to languages across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Examples in context
- Gikan ko sa usa ka byahe nga dugay kaayo.I just came from a very long journey.
- Ang panaw nga akong gisugdan kanang adto sa Habagat.The journey I started was towards the South.
- Nindot ang iyang panaw.His journey was beautiful.
- Lisod ang panaw sa bukid.The journey to the mountain is difficult.
- Giandam na ang mga gamit para sa panaw.The things for the journey are prepared.
Example conversation
Maria and Jun are talking about a planned vacation.
- MariaExcited na ko sa atong panaw, Jun.I am excited for our journey, Jun.
- JunAko sad, Maria. Asa ta moadto?Me too, Maria. Where are we going?
- MariaMoadto ta sa Cebu pinaagi sa barko.We will go to Cebu by ship.
- JunNindot gyud na nga panaw.That will truly be a wonderful journey.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “journey” translations and entries panaw, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries panaw, CC BY-SA 4.0.
