Philippines: Useful phrases
Pilipino and English are national languages. Much of Pilipino is derived from Tagalog, the language of Manila and nearby provinces. Other major languages are Ilocano, Visayan, Cebuano, and Maguindanao, although at least 110 languages prevail throughout the archipelago.
Listed below are some useful Tagalog expressions. Tagalog is pronounced phonetically, with no distinct accents on any particular syllables. “Siy” is pronounced “sh;” “ts” becomes “ch,” and “ng” takes on a nasal, guttural sound.
Greetings
Welcome Mabuhay
How are you? Kumusta ka?
Fine. And you? Mabuti. At ikaw?
Good morning Magandang umaga (po)
Good afternoon Magandang hapon (po)
Good evening Magandang gabi (po)
Goodbye Paalam
Thank you Salamat (po)
You’re welcome Walang anuman
Shopping
How much is this? Magkano ito?
expensive mahal
cheap mura
I want... Gusto ko ng...
Do you have...? Meron ba kayong...?
How much Magkanong
per meter? metro?
How much of Magkanong
a discount? tawad?
OK, wrap it up. Pakibalot nga.
Bill, please. Ang bill nga.
Useful Phrases
What is your name? Anong pangalan mo?
My name is… Ang pangalan ko ay…
How old are you? Il ng taon ka na?
Just a moment, please. Sandali lang.
What time is it? Anong oras na po?
I don’t know. Hindi ko alam.
Where did you come from? Saan po kayo galing?
Where are you from? Taga saan po sila?
Where do you live? Saan po kayo nakatira?
Have you eaten yet? Kumain na po ba sila?
Excuse me. Ipagpaumanhin ninyo ako.
Sorry. Paumanhin (po)
Please come in. Tuloy po kayo.
I will take care of you. Aalagaan kita.
I am leaving tomorrow. Aalis ako bukas.
The airplane leaves at four o'clock in the afternoon. Aalis ang eroplano ng alakuwatro ng hapon.
The flight leaves in 30 minutes. Aalis ang flight sa loob ng tatlumpung minuto.
The bus leaves at 5.15 Aalis ang bus sa alas singko kinse.
Where's the toilet? Nasaan ang kasilyas (banyo, CR)?
Straight ahead. Deretso.
On the right. (Sa) kanan.
On the left. (Sa) kaliwa.
In front. (Sa) harap.
Turn around. Umikot.
At the back, behind. (Sa) likod/likuran.
There, on that side. Diyan lang po sa tabi
Fire! Sunog!
Call the police! Tumawag ka ng pulis!
Leave me alone. Iwanan mo ako mag-isa! Hayaan mo ko mapag-isa.
Good luck. Suwertehin ka sana.
Merry Christmas. Maligayang Pasko.
How do you say ... in Tagalog? Paano mo sabihin ang ... sa tagalog?
I don't understand. Hindi ko naiintindihan
Please speak more slowly. Pwede mo bang bagalan ang iyong pagsasalita?
Please write it down. Pakisulat mo naman.
yes/no oo/hindi
good/bad mabait/masama
many marami
who sino
what ano
when kailan
where saan
delicious masarap
sweet matamis
sour maasim
cold/hot malamig/mainit
water tubig
old/young matanda/bata
new/old bago/luma
big/small malaki/maliit
clean/dirty malinis/masama
man/woman lalaki/babae
father/mother tatay/nanay
Numbers
1 isa
2 dalawa
3 tatlo
4 apat
5 lima
6 anim
7 pito
8 walo
9 siyam
10 sampu
11 labin-isa
12 labin-dalawa
20 dalawampu
30 tatlumpu
40 apatnapu
50 limanapu
100 isang daan
200 dalawang daan
500 limang daan
1000 isang libo
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