Being able to advance from one level to the next when learning a new language is so satisfying. Nothing beats the excitement of knowing that you’ll soon be able to communicate using a language other than your own. This is especially true when learning Filipino, a language influenced by so many other languages. Before you can move on to the next level, though, you’ll first need to master Tagalog phrases for beginners. There is no skipping this step.
The good news is that basic Filipino phrases are not that difficult to pick up. Most Filipino words have direct English translations, and the word order is also similar to that of English. Moreover, in this article, we have prepared more than a couple dozen basic Filipino phrases for beginners that you’ll find invaluable as you journey toward mastery of the Filipino language. To finish strong in your language learning race, you need to start strong.
We’ll start with the fundamentals of how to greet people and introduce yourself, and then we’ll cover some indispensable phrases to use when you’re out shopping or dining with friends. Finally, we’ll introduce you to essential phrases for an emergency.
To finish strong in your language learning race, you need to start strong.
While Filipinos are friendly and hospitable, most relationships within the Filipino culture have formal beginnings. When meeting someone for the first time, it’s important to be polite and respectful, not only with your words but also with your body language. Whenever appropriate, greet someone with a soft handshake. This is not necessary when you’re simply asking for directions, though, or when acknowledging someone you’re familiar with on the street. Below are some of the most common Filipino greetings to use when meeting someone.
Kumusta?
“Hello.” / “How are you?”
Magandang araw.
“Good day.”
Literally: Beautiful day.
Magandang umaga.
“Good morning.”
Literally: Beautiful morning.
Magandang tanghali.
“Good noon.”
Literally: Beautiful noon.
Magandang hapon.
“Good afternoon.”
Literally: Beautiful afternoon.
Magandang gabi.
“Good evening.”
Literally: Beautiful evening.
Always remember to use po when addressing someone older or higher in rank than you. Also, instead of using the first person singular (ka, mo, or kita), use the third person plural (kayo, nila, or inyo) to convey politeness.
Mabuti naman po. Kayo po?
“I’m fine. And you?”
Literally: Fine also. You?
Just like in other cultures, introducing yourself and asking the other person their name (or the other way around) is the first thing to do when meeting someone new.
Anong pangalan mo?
“What’s your name?”
Literally: What is name your?
Pwede ko bang malaman ang pangalan mo?
“May I know your name, please?”
Literally: May I know the name your?
Ano pong pangalan nila? [Formal]
“May I know your name, please?”
Literally: What name their?
Ako si (name).
“I am (name).”
Ako nga pala si (name).
“I am (name), by the way.”
Literally: I by the way am (name).
(Name) pala ang pangalan ko.
“My name is (name), by the way.”
Literally: (Name) by the way the name my.
With the number of ways you can structure sentences in Filipino, you might be wondering which one of these phrases you should use. The truth is that you can use any of them, as they are all appropriate for both formal and informal situations. Here are some useful Tagalog phrases for introductions that will show you how flexible the Filipino sentence structure is:
Taga saan ka?
“Where are you from?”
Literally: From where you?
Taga (residence) ako.
“I am from (residence).”
Literally: From (residence) I.
Saan ka nakatira?
“Where do you live?”
Literally: Where you live?
Sa (residence) ako nakatira.
“I live in (residence).”
Literally: In (residence) I live.
While asking someone’s age in other cultures may be considered rude, in the Philippines, it’s okay to do so even when you’ve just met the person. However, you have to time it correctly and wait until the other person seems to have become more comfortable with your conversation. A straightforward way to ask someone their age would be:
Ilang taon ka na?
“How old are you?”
Literally: How many years you already?
Some Filipinos may be taken aback by this, but they will still give you a response if they feel you can be trusted with sensitive information. A less aggressive approach would be to say:
Maaari/Pwede ko bang malaman kung ilang taon ka na?
“May I know how old you are?” / “Would you mind if I asked your age?”
Literally: May I know if how many years you already?
If you’re the one being asked, you could answer with something like this:
Trenta na ako.
“I am thirty years old.”
Literally: Thirty already I.
To express your pleasure of meeting someone, you could say:
Ikinagagalak kong makilala ka. [Formal]
“It is my pleasure to meet you.” / “It is nice to meet you.”
Literally: With pleasure I know you.
And finally, don’t forget the most important Filipino greeting of all:
Mano po.
Use this phrase when performing the pagmamano gesture.
Ikinagagalak kong makilala ka. (“It is my pleasure to meet you.”)
An important part of basic Filipino greetings and self-introductions is the proper use of honorifics. Here are the fundamental Filipino honorifics you should be familiar with:
Mama
This is a term used to address an older male you’re not acquainted with.
Ale
This is a term used to address an older female you’re not acquainted with.
Kuya
This term means “big brother,” but it’s also used to address a male stranger.
Ate
This term means “big sister,” but it’s also used to address a female stranger.
Ginoo [Formal]
“Mr.”
Ginang [Formal]
“Ms.”
When attached to a name, a linker is used between the title and the name of the person, particularly for the term mama.For instance, “Ice cream man” would be Mamang sorbetero, and “Mr. Supervisor” would be Ginoong Tagapamahala.
2. Courtesy Phrases & Social Expressions
Not only are Filipinos hospitable, but they are also courteous and polite. When in the Philippines, you’ll notice that the people here tend to be very warm and friendly. Be sure to express your own friendliness and politeness by using the following courtesy phrases and social expressions.
Filipinos love to eat! And shop! That means there are a lot of wonderful places for you to shop and dine during your stay in the Philippines. The following beginner phrases in Tagalog will prove useful whether you’re dining in prestigious restaurants or simply buying something from the sari-sari (“miscellaneous”) store.
1 – When Dining
Kain tayo.
“Let’s eat.”
Literally: Eat us.
Nagugutom na ako.
“I’m hungry.”
Literally: Hungry already me.
Pwede kong makita ang menu?
“May I see the menu?”
Literally: Allowed I see the menu?
Pwede mo ba akong bigyan ng…
“Could you give me some…”
Literally: Allowed you I give of…
Gusto ko ng…
“I’d like to have…”
Literally: Like I of (something)…
Pahingi ng tubig.
“May I have some water, please?”
Literally: Please give water.
Ang sarap nito!
“This is delicious!”
Literally: Delicious this is!
Busog na ako.
“I’m full.”
Literally: Full already I am.
2 – When Shopping
Magkano po ito?
“How much is this?”
Literally: How much this?
Mayroon ba kayo ng…
“Do you happen to have…”
Literally: There is you have…
Saan banda ang mga panlalaki/pambabae/pambata?
“Where is the men’s/ladies’/kids’ section?”
Literally: Which location is for men/women/kids?
Pwede mo akong kunan ng size 29?
“I’d like a size 29, please.”
Literally: Will you get me a size 29?
Mayroon kayong size 10 ng sapatos na ito?
“Do you have a size 10 for this pair of shoes?”
Literally: Is there you size 10 of shoes that this?
Saan ako pwedeng magbayad para sa mga ito?
“Where can I pay for these items?”
Literally: Where I can pay for all of this?
Magkano lahat ang babayaran ko?
“How much is my bill?” / “How much will I pay altogether?”
Literally: How much all of payment my?
Magkano lahat ang babayaran ko? (“How much will I pay altogether?”)
Whether you’re in an emergency or simply want to ask someone to translate a difficult word for you, it’s important to know the exact words to say when asking for help. You’re in good hands in the Philippines because Filipinos are always ready and willing to help without asking anything in return. Arm yourself with these basic Tagalog phrases for travel so you’ll always know how to get help when you need it.
1 – When Communicating
Marunong ka bang mag-Tagalog?
“Can you speak Tagalog?”
Literally: Knowledgeable you to speak Tagalog?
Nakakaintindi ka ba ng Tagalog?
“Do you understand Tagalog?”
Literally: Can understand you of Tagalog?
Oo, nakakaintindi ako ng Tagalog.
“Yes, I understand Tagalog.”
Literally: Yes, can understand I of Tagalog.
Hindi ako marunong mag-Tagalog.
“I don’t know Tagalog.”
Literally: Cannot I know to speak Tagalog.
Marunong akong mag-Tagalog nang kaunti.
“I know a bit of Tagalog.”
Literally: Knowledgeable I to speak Tagalog a bit.
Hindi ko maintindihan.
“I don’t understand.”
Literally: Do not I understand.
Pakiulit ng sinabi mo.
“Please repeat what you said.”
Literally: Please repeat of what said you.
Ano ang ibig sabihin ng salitang ito?
“What does this word mean?”
Literally: What is desired to say of word this?
2 – When Asking for Directions
Nawawala ako.
“I’m lost.”
Literally: Lost I.
Alam mo ba kung saan banda ang embahada?
“Do you know where the embassy is?”
Literally: Know you if where location of embassy?
Saan po banda ang istasyon ng bus?
“Where is the bus station?”
Literally: Where location the station of bus?
Paano po pumunta sa kalye na ito?
“How do you get to this street?”
Literally: How get to street that this?
Saan ang pinakamalapit na kainan?
“Where is the nearest restaurant?”
Literally: Where the nearest that place to eat?
3 – When in an Emergency
Tulong!
“Help!”
Tulungan ninyo ako!
“Help me!”
Literally: Help you all me!
Pakitulungan niyo po ako!
“Please help me!”
Literally: Please help you all me!
Tumawag kayo ng pulis!
“Call the police!”
Literally: Call you all of police!
Tumawag kayo ng ambulansya!
“Call an ambulance!”
Literally: Call you all of ambulance!
Kailangan ko ng doktor!
“I need a doctor!”
Literally: Need I of doctor!
Paano po pumunta sa kalye na ito? (“How do you get to this street?”)
5. Learn Filipino Beginner Phrases and More at FilipinoPod101.com!
So, what did you think of our collection of Tagalog phrases for beginners? If you feel like there are other phrases we should have included on this list, let us know in the comments below.
If you want to learn more than just basic Filipino phrases for beginners, you can always sign up to become part of the FilipinoPod101 community. Here at FilipinoPod101.com, you can learn the Filipino language in a fun and engaging way. All of our lessons—from the free resources and blog posts, to the audio and video lessons—are designed to meet the needs of learners at all levels.
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