Useful Filipino Words and Phrases
Although Filipinos are English speaking people, you may want to impress your friends and relatives by speaking and using these Tagalog words and phrases. Below are a few Tagalog greetings that are importart to learn if one wants to endear himself/herself to Filipinos.
Magandang umaga po. (formal/polite) – Good morning
Magandang umaga. (informal) – Good morning
Magandang tanghali po. (formal/polite) – Good noon
Magandang tanghali. (informal) – Good noon
Magandang hapon po. (formal/polite) – Good afternoon
Magandang hapon. (informal) – Good afternoon
Magandang gabi po. (formal/polite) – Good evening
Magandang gabi. (informal) – Good evening
Kumusta po kayo? (formal/polite) – How are you?
Kumusta ka? (informal) – How are you?
Mabuti po naman. (formal/polite) – I’m fine
Mabuti naman. (informal) – I’m fine
Tuloy po kayo. (formal/polite) – Please, come in
Tuloy. (informal) – Please, come in
Salamat po. (formal/polite) – Thank you
Salamat. (informal) – Thank you
Maraming salamat po. (formal/polite) – Thank you very much
Maraming salamat. (informal) – Thank you very much
Wala pong anuman. (formal/polite) – You are welcome
Walang anuman. (informal) – You are welcome
Opo/ oho. (formal/polite) – Yes
Oo (informal) – Yes
Hindi po/ho (formal/polite) – No
Hindi (informal) – No
Hindi ko po/ho alam. (formal/polite) – I don’t know
Hindi ko alam. (informal) – I don’t know
Anong oras na po? (formal/polite) – What time is it?
Anong oras na? (informal) – What time is it?
Saan po kayo papunta? (formal/polite) – Where are you going?
Saan ka papunta? (informal) – Where are you going?
Saan po kayo galing? (formal/polite) – Where did you come from?
Saan ka galing? (informal) – Where did you come from?
Ano po ang pangalan nila? (formal/polite) – What is your name?
Anong pangalan mo? (informal) – What is your name?
Ako po si ________ (formal/polite) – I am ______ (name).
Ako si _________ (informal) – I am ______ (name).
Ilang taon na po kayo? (formal/polite) – How old are you?
Ilang taon ka na? (informal) – How old are you?
Ako po ay _______ gulang na. (formal/polite) – I am _______ years old.
Ako ay _______ gulang na. (informal) – I am _______ years old.
Saan po kayo nakatira? (formal/polite) – Where do you live?
Saan ka nakatira? (informal) – Where do you live?
Taga saan po sila? (formal/polite) – Where are you from?
Taga saan ka? (informal) – Where are you from?
Kumain na po ba sila? (formal/polite) – Have you eaten yet?
Kumain ka na ba? (informal) – Have you eaten yet?
DIRECTIONS
Below is a list of Tagalog words and phrases used in giving or asking for directions.
deretso – straight ahead
(sa) kanan – on the right
(sa) kaliwa – on the left
umikot – turn around
(sa) harap – in front
(sa) likod/likuran – at the back/behind
hilaga – north
silangan – east
kanluran – west
timog – south
(sa) itaas – on top
(sa) ibaba – below/at the bottom
(sa) ilalim – at the bottom
(sa) loob – inside
(sa) labas – outside
There are a number of Tagalog words and phrases which are rather vague in terms of specific distance but signify “nearness” or “farness” of a particular object, thing, or place from the speaker. These are:
doon – yonder (over there)
diyan lang po sa tabi – there, on that side
sa banda po doon – over on that side
QUESTION WORDS
Below is a list of Tagalog question words with their corresponding meanings and examples in English.
Ano? – What?
Alin? – Which?
Sino? – Who?
Saan? – Where?
Bakit? – Why?
Kailan? – When?
Paano?/Papaano? – How?
Magkano? – How much? (money)
Nasaan? – Where? (to look for something/somebody)
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