You’re reading this guide for one reason—you’re ready to move on to the next level of Filipino proficiency! And there is no better feeling than being more confident with a language that you’ve worked hard to master. Now that you’ve gotten past the beginner stage, it’s time for you to learn a few intermediate Filipino phrases that you can naturally use in conversations.

The words and phrases you learned at the beginner level will serve as the foundation of your continued Filipino studies. The ones you’ll learn this time will help you have more fluent conversations with native speakers. They’ll also guide you through conversations when native speakers use expressions that are normal to them but may be unfamiliar to you.

We will specifically introduce you to phrases you can use to: 

• Talk about past events
• Make plans for the future
• Provide reasons and explanations
• Make recommendations or complaints

Finally, we’ll teach you which phrases to use as responses during daily conversations.

The phrases you’ll learn here will help you have more fluent conversations with native speakers.

Table of Contents

1. Let’s Talk About the Past!
2. How About the Future?—Making and Changing Plans
3. I’ll Tell You Why—Giving Explanations and Citing Reasons
4. …And Why Not—Making Recommendations and Complaints
5. Talaga! And Various Responses for Everyday Conversations
6. Etiquette Phrases for Social and Business Settings
7. Go a Level Higher with FilipinoPod101!

1. Let’s Talk About the Past!

Filipinos love to socialize. When they do, you can expect the atmosphere to be filled with kwentuhan (the act of sharing stories). To avoid feeling out of place, you should learn how to talk about your own past experiences in Filipino. If you’ve come across our entry on Filipino verb conjugation, you should have an idea of how to conjugate Tagalog verbs to form the past tense. The following list of intermediate Filipino phrases should also help you share your own kwento (stories).

Namasyal kami kahapon.

We went to see places yesterday.

Literally: Strolled we yesterday.

Ang saya-saya namin!

We had lots of fun!

Literally: Very happy we! Notice how the word saya (fun) was reduplicated in this sentence. In Filipino grammar, the full reduplication of a word indicates intensity. Take note, too, that the same sentence could be translated as “We are very happy,” which is in the present tense. In this case, identifying whether the statement is in the past or present tense will depend on the context.

Doon ako nagtatrabaho dati.

I used to work there.

Literally: There I worked before.

Dalawang linggo akong hindi nakalabas.

I wasn’t able to go out for two weeks.

Literally: Two weeks I wasn’t able to go outside. The word Linggo also means “Sunday” in Filipino. You’ll know which is which since the first letter for “Sunday” is capitalized.

Bumisita sila rito noong makalawa.

They came over the other day.

Literally: Visited them here two days ago.

Apat na taon na kaming nakatira dito.

We’ve been residing here for four years.

Literally: Four years already we living here.

Nagbakasyon kami sa Dubai noong pasko ng 2017.

We went for a vacation in Dubai on the Christmas of 2017.

Literally: Had vacation we in Dubai on Christmas of 2017.

➜ Be sure to check our lesson on the different grammatical tenses in Filipino.

Doon ako nagtatrabaho dati. (“I used to work there.”)

2. How About the Future?—Making and Changing Plans

Filipinos are quite flexible. We love making plans, but we don’t mind making changes if the situation calls for it. 

Talking about the future in Filipino is just as simple as talking about the past. All you need to do is mind your verb conjugation. Below are several intermediate-level Tagalog phrases you can use to make or change plans with your new Filipino friends. 

Pwede ka ba sa Linggo?

Are you available this coming Sunday?

Literally: Available you on Sunday?

Pwede bang sa Sabado na lang tayo magkita?

Would it be possible for us to meet on Saturday instead?

Literally: Can Saturday only we meet?

Kape tayo bukas!

Let’s have coffee tomorrow!

Literally: Coffee us tomorrow! Perhaps you’re wondering how the word kape (“coffee”) functions here as a verb. In formal speech, this sentence is supposed to be Magkape tayo bukas, with the prefix mag- indicating that the verb is in the future tense. In informal speech, shortening a word is often acceptable. Also, in colloquial Filipino, it’s not unusual for some nouns to be used as verbs. Other examples include mag-gitara (to play the guitar), mag-telepono (to use the phone), and mag-bus (to take the bus).

Anong oras tayo magkikita?

What time shall we meet?

Literally: What time we will meet?

Baka pwedeng sa makalawa ka na lang umalis.

Perhaps you should stay with us for two more days.

Literally: Maybe it’s possible two days from now you will leave. Notice how the word makalawa in this sentence means “in the next two days.” As shown in one of the previous examples, it could also mean “two days ago.”

Sa ibang araw na lang natin pag-usapan.

Let’s just talk about it some other time.

Literally: Next time only we talk about.

Pasensya ka na pero may gagawin ako sa Sabado.

I’m sorry, but I have something to do on Saturday.

Literally: Sorry you but doing something I on Saturday. The word pasensya is also the word for “patience.” For this reason, you could also use it when asking someone to be patient with you.

Pasensya ka na pero may gagawin ako sa Sabado. (“I’m sorry, but I have something to do on Saturday.”)

3. I’ll Tell You Why—Giving Explanations and Citing Reasons 

You can expect any conversation to reach a point where you’ll have to give an explanation about a choice you made. There’s no specific formula for doing so, as it could be as simple as giving a quick reason or as complex as citing your entire rationale. It helps that the Filipino sentence structure is similar to that of English and that most conjunctions used in English have direct equivalents in Filipino. To get you started, we have listed below a few intermediate phrases in Filipino for giving your reasons. 

Ginawa ko iyon dahil yun ang tama.

I did it because it was the right thing to do.

Literally: Did I that because it was right.

Pinili ko ito dahil una sa lahat, alam kong gusto mo ang kulay. Pangalawa, kasya siya sa bulsa mo. At pangatlo, sulit ang presyo.

I chose this because first of all, I know you love the color. Second, it fits in your pocket. And third, it’s worth the price.

Literally: Chose I this because first of all, know I like you the color. Secondly, fits it in your pocket. And thirdly, it’s worth the price.

Sana makasama kayo para marami tayo.

I hope you can come so we can all have fun.

Literally: Hopefully you can join so there’s many of us. Most Filipinos are highly extroverted. As they say, the more the merrier!

Huwag kang maingay para hindi magising ang bata.

Don’t be too loud so that the baby doesn’t wake up.

Literally: Don’t you noisy so not wake up the child.

Napagod ako kaya hindi na ako sumama.

I was so tired, so I decided to stay.

Literally: Tired I so didn’t I come along.

4. …And Why Not—Making Recommendations and Complaints

We’ve established that Filipinos love to share stories. Filipinos are very friendly, and we will share our life experiences even with complete strangers! That’s what makes us great at giving recommendations (and non-recommendations). One thing you should know about giving recommendations and making complaints in Filipino is that we often use full reduplication. Oftentimes, this is to convey intensity or to emphasize how much we liked or disliked an experience. Examine the phrases below along with their literal translations to better understand this concept.

Subukan mo yung pagawaan ng sasakyan sa may kanto.

Try the car repair shop on the corner.

Literally: Try you the maker of vehicles there in the corner.

Ito na ang pinakamasarap na adobo na natikman ko!

This is the most delicious adobo I have ever tasted!

Literally: This is already the most delicious adobo tasted by me!

Hinding-hindi ka magsisisi sa pagpunta dun!

You will never regret going there!

Literally: Never ever you will regret in going there!

Masarap ang kape nila!

Their coffee is great!

Literally: Delicious the coffee of theirs!

Huwag na huwag mong subukang pumunta sa lugar na yun!

Never ever try to go to that place!

Literally: Do not you try going to place that is there!

Kailangan pa nilang pagbutihin ang serbisyo nila.

They still need to improve their service.

Literally: Need still they improve the service of theirs.

Masarap ang kape nila. (“Their coffee is great!”)

➜ No one wants to be around a person who always complains. However, it’s another thing to know how to make complaints in order to raise awareness and promote improvement. Learn how to make complaints in Filipino on our website.

5. Talaga! And Various Responses for Everyday Conversations

Now, let’s go over some responses used in everyday conversations. These are the phrases you’ll hear or use yourself to express surprise, excitement, annoyance, or disappointment.

1 – Talaga?!

A: Namasyal kami kahapon. (“We went to see places yesterday.”)
Literally: Strolled we yesterday.

B: Talaga? Saan kayo pumunta? (“Really? Which ones?”)
Literally: Really? Where you went?

2 – Ang galing!

A: Marunong na siyang magbisikleta. (“He now knows how to ride a bicycle.”)
Literally: Know already he/she to ride a bicycle.

B: Wow! Ang galing naman! (“Wow! That’s really impressive!”)
Literally: Wow! Very good!

3 – Magandang balita yan!

A: Sa wakas! Makakauwi na si Tatay! (“Finally! Dad will be able to come home!”)
Literally: In the end! Coming home already Father!

B: Magandang balita yan ah! (“That’s good news!”)
Literally: Good news that is!

4 – Grabe!

A: Walong taon na kaming hindi nagkikita ni Teddy. (“Teddy and I haven’t seen each other in eight years.”)
Literally: Eight years already us have not see each other Teddy.

B: Grabe. Ang tagal-tagal na. (“Gosh. It’s been so long.”)
Literally: That’s serious. It’s so long already.

5 – Astig!

A: Diyan ako nagtatrabaho dati. (“I used to work there.”)
Literally: There I worked before.

B: Astig! Kaya pala ang galing mo pagdating sa mga kompyuter. (“Cool! So that’s why you’re so good with computers.”)
Literally: Tough! That’s why good you are when it comes to computers.

6 – Sayang!

A: Pasensya ka na pero may gagawin ako sa Sabado. (“I’m sorry, but I have something to do on Saturday.”)
Literally: Sorry you but doing something I on Saturday.

B: Sayang naman. May ibibigay sana ako sa iyo. (“Too bad. I was going to give you something.”)
Literally: What a waste. There is something to give hopefully I to you.

7 – Niloloko mo ba ako?!

A: Pwede bang sa Sabado na lang tayo magkita? (“Would it be possible for us to meet on Saturday instead?”)
Literally: Can Saturday only we meet?

B: Niloloko mo ba ako? Alam mong may trabaho ako pag Sabado. (“Are you kidding me? You know I have work on Saturdays.”)
Literally: Are you fooling me? Know you that have work I when Saturday.

8 – Mabuti naman kung ganon.

A: Makakalabas na daw ako sabi ng doktor. (“The doctor said I could go out.”)
Literally: Go out already I said the doctor.

B: Mabuti naman kung ganon. (“That’s good to know.”)
Literally: Good if that is the case.

Talaga?! (“Really?!”)

➜ Here are more Filipino conversational phrases you will find useful!

6. Etiquette Phrases for Social and Business Settings

There’s no question that Filipinos are hospitable. We place high value on politeness and respect, especially in formal settings. The following are useful intermediate Filipino phrases to learn by heart so you’ll know just what to say when you’re in a social or business setting.

Pasok po kayo.

“Please come in.”

Literally: Enter you. A more formal way of saying this is to use the word tuloy (“to continue”) instead of pasok (“to enter”).

Ikinagagalak ko kayong makilala.

“Pleased to meet you.”

Literally: Pleased I you to know.

Maupo po kayo.

“Please have a seat.”

Literally: Have a seat you.

Walang anuman.

“You’re welcome.”

Literally: It’s nothing.

Sabihin niyo lang po kung may mga katanungan kayo.

“Please let us know if you have questions.”

Literally: Say you if there are questions you.

Salamat po sa pagbisita.

“Thank you for coming.”

Literally: Thank you for visiting.

Inaasahan ko ang tugon ninyo.

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

Literally: Expecting I the response of you.

Ingat po kayo sa biyahe.

“Have a safe trip!”

Literally: Take care you in trip.

Tuloy po kayo. (“Please come in.”)

➜ Looking for more Filipino phrases to use in business settings? See our blog entry on phrases to help you speak professionally in Filipino.

7. Go a Level Higher with FilipinoPod101!

We’ve covered some of the most useful intermediate Filipino phrases in this article. If there is a useful intermediate Filipino phrase or expression that you feel should have been included in this entry, let us know in the comments. 

Meanwhile, did you know that you could learn more and improve your language skills by signing up for FilipinoPod101? At FilipinoPod101.com, you can get exclusive access to even more resources designed to help you take your Filipino speaking skills to another level. You can rest assured that there are lesson materials and learning tools to suit your needs, from video presentations and audio lessons to vocabulary lists and blog entries just like this one.

Speaking of which, don’t forget to try out MyTeacher, a Premium PLUS service that provides personal 1-on-1 coaching so that you can enjoy lessons that are tailored to your needs and goals. 

Happy learning!