Vocabulary
Essential Tagalog Phrases for Visiting the Philippines
8 min read
You can get around the Philippines in English. But the moment you use even a little Tagalog, prices soften, directions get friendlier, and strangers treat you like a guest rather than a tourist. These are the phrases worth knowing before you land.
The First Five
Kumusta po?
Hello, how are you?
Salamat po.
Thank you.
Opo. / Hindi po.
Yes. / No.
Pasensya na po.
Sorry, excuse me.
Softer and more useful than a blunt apology.
Pakiulit po.
Please say that again.
Say every vowel short and clean. A is ah, e is eh, i is ee, o is oh, u is oo. There are no drifting English vowel sounds in Tagalog, so resist the urge to stretch them.
Getting Around
Saan po ang banyo?
Where is the bathroom?
Paano po pumunta sa...?
How do I get to...?
Malayo po ba?
Is it far?
Bayad po.
Here is my fare.
Say this when handing money forward on a jeepney.
Para po!
Stop here, please!
The single most useful phrase on a jeepney or tricycle.
Sa tabi lang po.
Just by the side, please.
Telling a driver where to pull over.
Markets And Prices
Magkano po ito?
How much is this?
Ang mahal naman.
That's expensive.
Said lightly and with a smile, this opens friendly haggling.
Pwede pong tawad?
Can you lower the price?
Fine at a public market, not in a mall or shop.
Kukunin ko po ito.
I'll take this.
Wala po akong barya.
I don't have small change.
Food And Eating
Ano po ang masarap dito?
What's good here?
The fastest way to a great meal and a friendly conversation.
Isa po nito.
One of these, please.
Hindi po maanghang, please.
Not spicy, please.
Ang sarap!
Delicious!
Busog na po ako.
I'm full already.
Pakibalot po.
Please wrap it to go.
If a Filipino family invites you to eat, they mean it. Kain tayo, meaning let's eat, is offered to almost anyone within sight of a meal. Accepting a little is the warmest possible response.
Being A Good Guest
Puwede po ba akong magtanong?
May I ask a question?
Pasensya po, nag-aaral pa ako ng Tagalog.
Sorry, I'm still learning Tagalog.
This sentence earns enormous goodwill.
Ang ganda po dito.
It's beautiful here.
Salamat po sa tulong.
Thank you for your help.
Ingat po kayo.
Take care.
Small Words, Big Difference
Po and opo signal respect, and travellers who use them are treated noticeably differently. Add po to almost any sentence when speaking to someone older or serving you.
Start Learning FreeWhat To Practise Before You Fly
- Say each of the five vowels out loud until they stay short and clean.
- Learn magkano, para po, salamat po and pasensya na po until they are automatic.
- Practise listening, not just reading. Real speech is faster than you expect.
- Get comfortable being corrected. Filipinos correct learners kindly and love that you tried.
Hear It From Filipino Voices
FiliLearn teaches these phrases with real Filipino recordings and speaking practice, so what you say on the street sounds like what you heard.
Start Learning Free