hinay
/ˈhinaj/
The Bisaya word for slow is hinay.
While hinay primarily means slow in terms of motion, it is also used to describe something that is low in volume or low in intensity, such as soft or low sounds.
Meaning: not quick in motion (adj)
Which one should you use?
The opposite of hinay is paspas, which is used to describe something that is fast or quick.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhinaj/
Did you know?
- In many Cebuano-speaking areas, saying hinay-hinay lang is a common way to give the advice 'take it easy' or 'don't rush'.
- A student might find it funny that a 'slow' person (someone who is dim-witted) is not typically described as hinay in the same way as someone moving slowly.
- The word hinay can be used to describe a failing business or a 'slow' day at a shop where few customers are visiting.
Examples in context
- Hinay ang lakaw.The walk is slow.
- Hinay ang iyang lakaw.His walk is slow.
- Hinay kaayo ang dagan sa trapiko.The traffic is moving very slowly.
- Hinay lang ang lihok sa iyang kamot.The movement of her hand is slow.
Example conversation
Jun and Maria are walking to the market.
- JunMaria, hinay kaayo ka molakaw.Maria, you walk so slowly.
- MariaPasayloa ko, Jun, gikapoy man gud ko.Sorry, Jun, I am just tired.
- JunSige lang, hinay-hinay lang ta.It's okay, let's just go slowly.
- MariaSalamat kaayo.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slow” translations and entries hinay, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
