Vocabulary
Useful Tagalog Phrases for Beginners
8 min read
You do not need a thousand words to have your first real conversation in Tagalog. You need about forty, used confidently. These are the phrases that come up on day one, grouped by the moment you will need them.
Greetings
Kumusta?
How are you?
The everyday greeting. Kumusta ka? to one person.
Mabuti naman.
I'm good.
The standard reply.
Magandang umaga.
Good morning.
Magandang hapon.
Good afternoon.
Magandang gabi.
Good evening.
Mabuhay!
Welcome! / Long live!
Warm and celebratory, used at arrivals and events.
Ingat.
Take care.
The most common way to say goodbye.
Politeness: Po And Opo
Po and opo are the heart of Filipino courtesy. Po is slipped into a sentence to show respect to someone older or in authority. Opo is the respectful yes. Using them will change how people respond to you more than any other two words in the language.
Salamat po.
Thank you (respectful).
Opo.
Yes (respectful).
Hindi po.
No (respectful).
Pasensya na po.
I'm sorry / please excuse me.
Walang anuman.
You're welcome.
Paumanhin po.
Excuse me (formal).
Introducing Yourself
Ako si Maria.
I am Maria.
Ano ang pangalan mo?
What is your name?
Taga-saan ka?
Where are you from?
Taga-Amerika ako.
I'm from America.
Natutuwa akong makilala ka.
Nice to meet you.
Nag-aaral ako ng Tagalog.
I am learning Tagalog.
This one earns you enormous goodwill.
When You Don't Understand
These matter more than any vocabulary list. They keep a conversation alive instead of ending it in an embarrassed smile.
Hindi ko maintindihan.
I don't understand.
Pwede bang ulitin?
Can you repeat that?
Dahan-dahan lang po.
Slowly, please.
Ano ang ibig sabihin ng...?
What does ... mean?
Marunong ka bang mag-Ingles?
Do you speak English?
Food And Shopping
Magkano po ito?
How much is this?
Masarap!
Delicious!
Say it while eating and you will make a friend.
Gusto ko po ng kape.
I would like coffee.
Tubig, please.
Water, please.
Perfectly natural Filipino.
Busog na ako.
I'm full.
Pwede bang tawad?
Can I get a discount?
For markets, not restaurants.
Getting Around
Nasaan ang banyo?
Where is the bathroom?
Papunta ako sa...
I'm going to...
Para po!
Stop here, please!
What you shout to get off a jeepney.
Malayo pa ba?
Is it still far?
Tulong!
Help!
Small Talk That Opens Doors
Ang init ngayon, ano?
It's hot today, isn't it?
Kumain ka na?
Have you eaten?
A genuine expression of care, not just a question.
Tara na!
Let's go!
Sige.
Okay / go ahead.
One of the most used words in the language.
Bahala na.
Come what may.
A very Filipino way of accepting uncertainty.
How To Actually Remember These
- Learn them in pairs: a question and the answer you would give.
- Say them out loud. Tagalog vowels are pure and short, and reading silently hides that.
- Pick five phrases a day rather than fifty in one sitting.
- Use one real phrase with a real person as soon as you can. That single moment locks it in.
Hear Every Phrase Spoken
FiliLearn lessons pair each phrase with native audio and speaking practice, so you learn the rhythm and not just the spelling.
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