Basic Filipino Words and Phrases for your Trip to the Philippines (Part 1 - Tagalog)

Planning a trip to the Philippines?

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It's really important that you know some of the language of a country you want to visit. Although most Filipinos can understand and speak English, they will accommodate you more if you know how to speak Filipino, and they will be amazed that you know a bit of the language. If you want a more personal experience, a deeper understanding of the culture as well as to save a few bucks $$$ then learn the talk, my friend. I have divided my post into two parts because there are a lot of dialects for a small country alone. I chose the predominantly used dialects: Tagalog and Cebuano.

The northern part of the Philippines comprises most of the Tagalog region. A map below indicates the area on which you can practice the language. Tagalog is widely used across the archipelago and make up most of Filipino language even the southern parts can understand. So it's basically safe to use this language all over the Philippines.

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Here are basic phrases you can use to communicate with the locals in Tagalog:

To start, Filipinos know "Hello" or "Hi", so you can still use these to greet them. Don't worry they will always respond with a smile. But we usually use "Mabuhay" for travelers.

How are you? - Kamusta ka?
Fine - mabuti

Good morning- Magandang Umaga (Maganda means beautiful, umaga means morning)
Good afternoon - Magandang Hapon -
Good evening - Magandang Gabi
Good day - Magandang Araw

Yes - Oo or Opo (Use opo to signify respect for elders)
No - Hindi or hindi po (po is also used after sentences to show respect)
I don't know - Ewan ko po
Good - mabuti
Bad - masama

Who - Sino po
Where - Saan po
When - Kailan po
Why - Bakit po
How - Paano po
Goodbye - Paalam po

Excuse me - Mawalang-galang po (you can still say excuse me, it is widely used)
Sorry - Patawad po or Paumanhin po (you can still say sorry, it is also widely used)
Where's the restroom? - Saan po ang banyo? or Saan po ang C.R. ? (We call the restroom CR for comfort room but you can still use restroom)

Please - Paki-usap po
Thank you - Salamat po
Thank you very much - Maraming salamat po
You're welcome - Walang anuman po

Buy - Pabili po
How much? - Magkano po?

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If you want to bargain:
Ate (for women, pronounced ah-te), Kuya (for men), puwede pong tumawad? (Sir/ Ma'am, Can I get a bargain?)

Or if you want to be persistent in bargaining:
For a saleslady: Sige na po, maganda ka naman. (Please, you know you are beautiful.)
For a salesman: Sige na po, ang guapo mo naman. (Please, you know you are handsome.)

And work that smile.

Filipinos respond well if they are praised. And they usually blush and laugh or smile whenever you tell them kindly. If the bargaining plea won't work then, transfer to another stall or just pay if you really want the item. Some vendors only a few may not give you a discount but most of them will happily oblige.

Don't hesitate to ask for directions, Filipinos are happy to help. We try to explain in English or if all else fail we use sign language. I hope you learn well, happy traveling! Mabuhay!

Part 2: Basic Filipino Words and Phrases for your Trip to the Philippines (Part 2 - Cebuano)

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