Filipino Phrases: The Tagalog Expressions Filipinos Really Use

Filipino phrases for everyday life: the typical expressions Filipinos really use, from po and opo to Kumain ka na? and Bahala na, plus greetings, goodbyes and the basics with translation and pronunciation.

Filipino phrases are short expressions you use to greet, thank, apologise, say goodbye or simply keep a friendly conversation going. In the Philippines they carry more weight than in many other countries, because good manners are built into the language itself: a single word like po shows whether you were raised well.

That’s why a plain word list isn’t enough. In more than 20 years of learning languages, from Norwegian to Danish and French, I’ve found that the first few sentences decide whether people switch to English or stay in their own language with you. In the Philippines, where almost everyone speaks English, that switch happens fast. On this page you’ll find the most common phrases in Filipino, the national language based on Tagalog, and for the ones that matter most, the situation in which Filipinos actually use them.

Typical Filipino phrases you won’t find in a textbook

These are the expressions you’ll hear at every family gathering, in every jeepney and in every Filipino household abroad. Most of them can’t be translated word for word, and that’s exactly what makes them so useful.

Respect: po, opo and mano po

Po is the small word that changes everything. You add it to sentences when you speak to someone older, to strangers or to people you want to show respect to: Salamat po (thank you), Magandang umaga po (good morning), Kumusta po kayo? (how are you?). Opo is the respectful yes. Children say it to their parents, and adults say it to their elders. Leaving out po with Lola or Tito doesn’t make you wrong, but it sounds blunt. Using it makes you sound like someone who was raised well, and that’s the impression you want to make on your partner’s family.

Mano po goes one step further. When you greet an older relative, you take their hand and gently touch the back of it to your forehead while saying Mano po. It’s a blessing and a sign of respect at the same time. If you do this once at the next family gathering, nobody will forget it.

Food comes first: Kumain ka na?

Kumain ka na? literally means “Have you eaten?”, but it’s really a way of saying hello and “I care about you”. Filipinos ask it on the phone, at the door and in text messages. The honest answer doesn’t matter much. What matters is that someone asked.

At the table, you’ll hear Kain tayo! (Let’s eat!) or Kain na! (Come and eat!) the moment food is ready, and it’s an invitation for everyone in the room, even guests who just walked in. Then comes Kain pa! (Eat more!), again and again. The phrase that saves you is Busog na ako (I’m full), best said with a smile and po. And to make the cook happy, there’s no better compliment than Ang sarap! (So delicious!).

Everyday expressions you’ll hear all the time

• Ingat! Take care! The real everyday goodbye, much more common than the formal paalam.
• Sige means okay, go ahead, alright or even bye, depending on the tone. Sige, alis na ako means “Okay, I’m leaving now”.
• Bahala na is the Filipino version of “come what may”. It’s often traced back to Bathala, the old word for God, and expresses trust that things will work out. Depending on the situation, it sounds relaxed or slightly careless.
• Ay naku! or Hay naku! Oh my! Used for surprise, frustration and every feeling in between.
• Grabe! Wow, that’s too much! For something amazing, shocking or exaggerated.
• Sayang! What a pity! What a waste! When a chance or food goes to waste.
• Talaga? Really? To show you’re listening and surprised.
• Tara! Let’s go! Short for tayo na.
• Joke lang! Just kidding! Filipinos tease a lot, and this is how they soften it.
• Sana all is popular slang for “I wish everyone had that”, said when someone else has a partner, a holiday or good luck.

Feelings English doesn’t have a word for

• Kilig is the butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling when you’re in love or watch a romantic scene. The word is so popular that it made it into the Oxford English Dictionary.
• Gigil is the urge to squeeze or pinch something unbearably cute, like a baby’s cheeks.
• Hiya means shame and shyness at once. Nakakahiya! (How embarrassing!) explains why Filipinos often decline the first offer of food or help, and why you should offer twice.
• Utang na loob is a debt of gratitude that lasts. When someone helped your family, you don’t forget it.
• Pasalubong is the gift you bring home from a trip. Visiting family without pasalubong is a small faux pas, and the famous balikbayan boxes sent from abroad are pasalubong on a big scale.

If you learn only these phrases, you’ll already understand far more of the conversation at the table than with any list of greetings.

Phrases for partners and family

If you’re in a relationship with a Filipina or Filipino, these are the phrases you’ll want first:

English	Filipino	When to use it
I love you.	Mahal kita.	Partner, family, children
I love you too.	Mahal din kita.	The answer
I miss you.	Miss na kita.	Everyday Taglish, more common than the deep Tagalog version
My love / darling	Mahal ko	As a pet name, like “honey”
Take care always.	Ingat ka palagi.	End of a call or message
Have you eaten?	Kumain ka na?	The caring hello
Grandma / grandpa	Lola / Lolo	Also for elderly people in general
Aunt / uncle	Tita / Tito	Also for older family friends
Older sister / older brother	Ate / Kuya	Also polite for strangers slightly older than you

Filipino phrases you should know

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Greet someone in Filipino

If you want to greet someone in Filipino, it’s actually quite easy. Add po when you greet older people:

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Welcome!	Maligayang pagdating!	[ma.liˈɡa.jaŋ paɡ.daˈtiŋ]
Good day to you!	Magandang araw sa iyo!	[ma.ɡanˈdaŋ ˈʔa.raw sa ʔiˈjo]
Good morning to you!	Magandang umaga sa iyo!	[ma.ɡanˈdaŋ ʔuˈma.ɡa sa ʔiˈjo]
Good evening!	Magandang gabi!	[ma.ɡanˈdaŋ ɡaˈbi]
Good to see you.	Masaya akong makita ka.	[ma.saˈja ʔaˈkoŋ maˈki.ta ka]
I’m glad to see you.	Natutuwa akong makita ka.	[na.tu.tuˈwa ʔaˈkoŋ maˈki.ta ka]

If you are greeted in Filipino, the best way to respond is as follows:

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Have a nice day too!	Magandang araw din sa iyo!	[ma.ɡanˈdaŋ ˈʔa.raw din sa ʔiˈjo]
Thanks, it’s nice to see you too.	Salamat, masaya rin akong makita ka.	[saˈla.mat ma.saˈja rin ʔaˈkoŋ maˈki.ta ka]

How is my dialogue partner?

As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking how the person you are talking to is doing. Kumusta comes from the Spanish ¿cómo está?, one of many Spanish traces in Filipino. Here’s how you do it:

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
How are you doing?	Kumusta ka?	[kuˈmus.ta ka]
How are you? (respectful)	Kumusta po kayo?	[kuˈmus.ta po kaˈjo]
Are you doing well?	Ayos ka ba?	[ˈʔa.jos ka ba]

If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Thank you for asking, I am fine.	Salamat sa pagtatanong, ayos lang ako.	[saˈla.mat sa paɡ.ta.taˈnoŋ ʔaˈjos laŋ ʔaˈko]
Thank you, I am fine.	Salamat, ayos lang ako.	[saˈla.mat ʔaˈjos laŋ ʔaˈko]
Thank you, I am not doing so well.	Salamat, hindi ako masyadong maayos.	[saˈla.mat hɪnˈdi ʔaˈko maˈʃa.doŋ maˈʔa.jos]
Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing?	Salamat, ayos lang ako. Kumusta ka?	[saˈla.mat ʔaˈjos laŋ ʔaˈko kuˈmus.ta ka]

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Want to go beyond phrases? Here’s how to learn Tagalog step by step.

How do I say goodbye to someone in Filipino?

The textbook word for goodbye is paalam, but in everyday life you’ll rarely hear it. It sounds formal and final, a bit like “farewell”. Filipinos usually say goodbye with Sige, Ingat! or simply Bye!, and a typical goodbye at the door sounds like this: Sige, alis na kami. Ingat kayo! (Alright, we’re leaving now. Take care!). Here are the phrases you need:

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Goodbye! (formal)	Paalam!	[paˈʔa.lam]
Take care!	Ingat!	[ˈʔi.ŋat]
Take care of yourself!	Mag-ingat ka!	[maɡˈʔi.ŋat ka]
I’m leaving now.	Aalis na ako.	[ʔa.ʔaˈlis na ʔaˈko]
See you tomorrow	Hanggang bukas	[haŋˈɡaŋ ˈbu.kas]
Until next time	Hanggang sa muli	[haŋˈɡaŋ sa muˈli]
See you later (casual)	Kitakits mamaya	[ki.taˈkits ma.maˈja]
Good night (same as good evening)	Magandang gabi	[ma.ɡanˈdaŋ ɡaˈbi]
Sleep well	Matulog ka nang mahimbing	[maˈtu.loɡ ka naŋ ma.himˈbiŋ]
Talk to you later.	Mag-usap tayo mamaya.	[maɡˈʔu.sap ˈta.jo ma.maˈja]
Nice to have met you!	Ikinagagalak kitang makilala!	[ʔi.ki.na.ɡa.ɡaˈlak kiˈtaŋ ma.kiˈla.la]

How do I introduce myself in Filipino?

When travelling in the Philippines or meeting your partner’s family, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Filipino and know who you’re talking to.

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
My name is Mark.	Ang pangalan ko ay Mark.	[ʔaŋ pa.ŋaˈlan ko ʔaj mark]
I’m Mark. (everyday)	Ako si Mark.	[ʔaˈko si mark]
What is your name?	Ano ang pangalan mo?	[ʔaˈno ʔaŋ pa.ŋaˈlan mo]
What is your surname?	Ano ang apelyido mo?	[ʔaˈno ʔaŋ ʔa.pelˈji.do mo]
What is your first name?	Ano ang unang pangalan mo?	[ʔaˈno ʔaŋ ˈʔu.naŋ pa.ŋaˈlan mo]

If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Where do you come from?	Taga-saan ka?	[ta.ɡaˈsa.ʔan ka]
I am from London.	Taga-London ako.	[ta.ɡaˈlon.don ʔaˈko]
Are you from Birmingham?	Taga-Birmingham ka ba?	[ta.ɡaˈbɪɹ.mɪŋ.ham ka ba]
No, I’m from Manchester.	Hindi, taga-Manchester ako.	[hinˈdi ta.ɡaˈman.tʃes.ter ʔaˈko]
Great, I’m from Manchester too.	Ayos! Taga-Manchester din ako.	[ˈʔa.jos ta.ɡaˈman.tʃes.ter din ʔaˈko]
Where do you live?	Saan ka nakatira?	[saˈʔan ka na.ka.tiˈɾa]
I live in Manila.	Nakatira ako sa Maynila.	[na.ka.tiˈɾa ʔaˈko sa majˈni.la]

If you have problems with your Filipino, it is good to know which languages are still spoken. In practice, almost everyone in the Philippines speaks some English:

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Do you speak English?	Nagsasalita ka ba ng Ingles?	[naɡ.sa.sa.liˈta ka ba naŋ ʔɪŋˈɡlɛs]
Yes, I speak English.	Oo, nagsasalita ako ng Ingles.	[ˈʔo.ʔo naɡ.sa.sa.liˈta ʔaˈko naŋ ʔɪŋˈɡlɛs]
Yes, I speak some English.	Oo, kaunti lang ang alam kong Ingles.	[ˈʔo.ʔo ka.ʔunˈti laŋ ʔaŋ ʔaˈlam koŋ ʔɪŋˈɡlɛs]
No, I do not speak any English.	Hindi, hindi ako nagsasalita ng Ingles.	[hinˈdi hinˈdi ʔaˈko naɡ.sa.sa.liˈta naŋ ʔɪŋˈɡlɛs]
I only speak English.	Ingles lang ang sinasalita ko.	[ʔɪŋˈɡlɛs laŋ ʔaŋ si.na.sa.liˈta ko]
I understand some Filipino.	Naiintindihan ko ng kaunti ang Filipino.	[na.ʔin.tin.dɪˈhan ko naŋ ka.ʔunˈti ʔaŋ fɪ.lɪˈpi.no]
Please speak slowly.	Pakibagalan po ang pagsasalita.	[pa.ki.ba.ɡaˈlan po ʔaŋ paɡ.sa.sa.liˈta]

Useful sentences with “I am…”

The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Filipino and express your wishes and concerns. Notice that the word order is reversed compared to English: Gutom ako literally means “hungry I”.

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
I am English.	Ingles ako.	[ʔɪŋˈɡlɛs ʔaˈko]
I am injured.	Nasugatan ako.	[na.suˈɡa.tan ʔaˈko]
I am here.	Nandito ako.	[nanˈdi.to ʔaˈko]
I am hungry.	Gutom ako.	[ɡuˈtom ʔaˈko]
I am full.	Busog na ako.	[buˈsoɡ na ʔaˈko]
I am thirsty.	Nauuhaw ako.	[na.ʔu.ʔuˈhaw ʔaˈko]
I am single.	Single ako.	[ˈsiŋ.ɡol ʔaˈko]
I need help!	Kailangan ko ng tulong!	[ka.ʔiˈla.ŋan ko naŋ ˈtu.loŋ]
I am tired.	Pagod ako.	[paˈɡod ʔaˈko]
I am happy.	Masaya ako.	[ma.saˈja ʔaˈko]
I am sad.	Malungkot ako.	[ma.luŋˈkot ʔaˈko]
I am in love.	In love ako.	[ʔɪn ˈlav ʔaˈko]
I am ill.	May sakit ako.	[maj saˈkit ʔaˈko]
I am ready.	Handa na ako.	[hanˈda na ʔaˈko]
I am busy.	Abala ako.	[ʔaˈba.la ʔaˈko]
I am lost.	Naliligaw ako.	[na.li.liˈɡaw ʔaˈko]
I am a tourist.	Turista ako.	[tuˈris.ta ʔaˈko]
I am new here.	Bago ako rito.	[ˈba.ɡo ʔaˈko ˈɾi.to]
I am a teacher.	Guro ako.	[ˈɡu.ɾo ʔaˈko]
I am late.	Huli ako.	[ˈhu.li ʔaˈko]
I am 30 years old.	Tatlumpung taong gulang ako.	[tat.lumˈpuŋ ˈta.ʔoŋ ˈɡu.laŋ ʔaˈko]
I am in a hurry.	Nagmamadali ako.	[naɡ.ma.ma.daˈli ʔaˈko]
I am surprised.	Nagulat ako.	[naˈɡu.lat ʔaˈko]
I am angry.	Galit ako.	[ˈɡa.lit ʔaˈko]

Thanking and apologising in Filipino

Here’s how to thank someone and how to apologise to a Filipino speaker. Pasensya na is the everyday sorry, the formal Humihingi ako ng paumanhin is for serious situations:

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Thank you (respectful)	Salamat po.	[saˈla.mat po]
Thank you very much.	Maraming salamat.	[ma.ɾaˈmiŋ saˈla.mat]
You’re welcome.	Walang anuman.	[waˈlaŋ ʔa.nuˈman]
I apologise.	Humihingi ako ng paumanhin.	[hu.miˈhi.ŋi ʔaˈko naŋ pa.ʔuˈman.hin]
Sorry, that was not the intention.	Pasensya na, hindi iyon ang intensyon.	[paˈsɛn.ʃa na hinˈdi ʔiˈjon ʔaŋ ʔin.tɛnˈʃon]
Sorry, I did not do it on purpose.	Pasensya na, hindi ko sinadya.	[paˈsɛn.ʃa na hinˈdi ko si.naˈdja]
Sorry, that was very clumsy of me.	Pasensya na, ang tanga ko.	[paˈsɛn.ʃa na ʔaŋ taˈŋa ko]

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Useful signs and notices in Filipino

Useful signs and messages in Filipino that you will often see. One tip that saves you in every mall and restaurant: the toilet is usually called CR, short for comfort room. Ask Saan ang CR? (Where is the CR?) and everyone will understand you.

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Entrance	Pasukan	[pa.suˈkan]
Toilet	CR / Palikuran	[si.ˈʔar] / [pa.liˈku.ɾan]
Exit	Labasan	[laˈba.san]
Attention!	Pansin!	[panˈsin]
Police	Pulis	[puˈlis]
Fire brigade	Bumbero	[bumˈbe.ɾo]
Passage forbidden.	Bawal dumaan.	[ˈba.wal duˈma.ʔan]
No smoking.	Bawal manigarilyo.	[ˈba.wal ma.ni.ɡaˈɾil.jo]
Caution!	Mag-ingat!	[maɡˈʔi.ŋat]
This building is under video surveillance.	Ang gusaling ito ay minomonitor ng CCTV.	[ʔaŋ ɡuˈsa.lɪŋ ʔiˈto ʔaj mi.no.moˈni.tor naŋ si.si.ti.bi]

Numbers to 25 in Filipino

Counting in Filipino is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Filipino from 1 to 25. In everyday life, you’ll often hear Spanish numbers instead, especially for the time (alas tres, three o’clock) and for prices (singkwenta pesos, fifty pesos). Many Filipinos also simply use English numbers.

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
One	Isa	[ʔiˈsa]
Two	Dalawa	[daˈla.wa]
Three	Tatlo	[ˈtat.lo]
Four	Apat	[ˈʔa.pat]
Five	Lima	[liˈma]
Six	Anim	[ˈʔa.nim]
Seven	Pito	[piˈto]
Eight	Walo	[waˈlo]
Nine	Siyam	[ˈsjam]
Ten	Sampu	[samˈpuʔ]
Eleven	Labing-isa	[laˈbiŋ ʔiˈsa]
Twelve	Labindalawa	[laˈbin da.laˈwa]
Thirteen	Labintatlo	[laˈbin tatˈlo]
Fourteen	Labing-apat	[laˈbiŋ ʔa.pat]
Fifteen	Labinlima	[laˈbin liˈma]
Sixteen	Labing-anim	[laˈbiŋ ʔa.nim]
Seventeen	Labimpito	[laˈbim piˈto]
Eighteen	Labingwalo	[laˈbiŋ waˈlo]
Nineteen	Labinsiyam	[laˈbin ˈsjam]
Twenty	Dalawampu	[da.la.wamˈpuʔ]
Twenty-one	Dalawampu’t isa	[da.la.wamˈput ʔiˈsa]
Twenty-two	Dalawampu’t dalawa	[da.la.wamˈput da.laˈwa]
Twenty-three	Dalawampu’t tatlo	[da.la.wamˈput tatˈlo]
Twenty-four	Dalawampu’t apat	[da.la.wamˈput ʔa.pat]
Twenty-five	Dalawampu’t lima	[da.la.wamˈput liˈma]

The colours in Filipino

The most common colours in Filipino with phonetic transcription for pronunciation. Like numbers, many colours are used in their Spanish or English form in everyday speech.

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Red	Pula	[ˈpu.la]
Blue	Asul (formal: bughaw)	[ʔaˈsul] / [ˈbuɡ.haw]
Green	Berde	[ˈbɛɾ.dɛ]
Yellow	Dilaw	[dɪˈlaw]
Orange	Kahel	[kaˈhɛl]
Purple	Lila	[ˈli.la]
Pink	Rosas	[ˈɾo.sas]
Black	Itim	[ʔɪˈtim]
White	Puti	[puˈtiʔ]
Brown	Kayumanggi	[ka.ju.maŋˈɡiʔ]

Days of the week, months and seasons in Filipino

Of course, you will also need the days of the week, the months and the seasons in Filipino for dialogues and daily communication. You’ll recognise most of them: days and months come from Spanish.

English	Filipino	Phonetic (IPA)
Monday	Lunes	[ˈlu.nɛs]
Tuesday	Martes	[ˈmaɾ.tɛs]
Wednesday	Miyerkules	[mɪˈjɛɾ.ku.lɛs]
Thursday	Huwebes	[huˈwɛ.bɛs]
Friday	Biyernes	[ˈbjɛɾ.nɛs]
Saturday	Sabado	[ˈsa.ba.dɔ]
Sunday	Linggo	[ˈliŋ.ɡo]
January	Enero	[ɛˈnɛ.ɾɔ]
February	Pebrero	[pɛbˈɾɛ.ɾɔ]
March	Marso	[ˈmaɾ.sɔ]
April	Abril	[aˈbɾil]
May	Mayo	[ˈma.jɔ]
June	Hunyo	[ˈhu.njɔ]
July	Hulyo	[ˈhul.jɔ]
August	Agosto	[aˈɡɔs.tɔ]
September	Setyembre	[sɛˈtjɛm.bɾɛ]
October	Oktubre	[ɔkˈtu.bɾɛ]
November	Nobyembre	[nɔˈbjɛm.bɾɛ]
December	Disyembre	[dɪˈsjɛm.bɾɛ]

Seasons in the Philippines: the Philippines doesn’t have spring, summer, autumn and winter. There are two seasons, and that’s what Filipinos talk about:

English	Filipino	Meaning
Hot dry season	Tag-init / Tag-araw	Roughly March to May, often simply called “summer”
Rainy season	Tag-ulan	Roughly June to November, with typhoons
Spring / autumn / winter	Tagsibol / Taglagas / Taglamig	The words exist, but are mainly used for seasons abroad

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Frequently asked questions about Filipino phrases

How do you say hello in Filipino?

The most common greeting is Kumusta, meaning how are you, from the Spanish como esta. Filipinos also greet with the time of day, for example Magandang umaga (good morning), and very often with Kumain ka na, which means have you eaten. With older people, add po: Kumusta po kayo.

How do you say goodbye in Filipino?

The formal word is paalam, but it is rarely used in everyday life. Filipinos usually say Ingat (take care), Sige (okay, alright) or simply bye. A typical goodbye is Sige, alis na ako. Ingat ka, meaning alright, I am leaving now, take care.

What does po mean in Filipino?

Po is a small word added to sentences to show respect, especially towards older people and strangers. It has no direct translation. Salamat po means thank you in a respectful way, and opo is the respectful yes.

How do you say thank you in Filipino?

Thank you is salamat, and thank you very much is maraming salamat. To be polite to older people, say salamat po. The usual reply is walang anuman, which means you are welcome.

Is Filipino the same as Tagalog?

Almost. Filipino is the national language of the Philippines and is based on Tagalog. For phrases like the ones on this page, there is practically no difference, so you can use them in Manila as well as with Filipino family abroad. Curious about Bisaya, Cebuano and the other languages? Read what language is spoken in the Philippines.

Related links

• Learn Tagalog: a practical guide for English speakers
• What language is spoken in the Philippines?
• The different ways of learning languages
• Learning vocabulary successfully
• Motivated language learning
• Train your listening comprehension
• Learning languages quickly, is it possible?
• The different types of language learners

Prefer another language?

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