Tagalog is the national language of the Philippines and an excellent gateway to Filipino culture. Whether you’re planning a visit, connecting with family, or diving into a new hobby, learning a few Tagalog phrases is a great place to start.
We’ll explore some basic Tagalog vocabulary to help you shine in daily conversations and create a language foundation to kick-start your journey toward fluency. Read on to learn more!
Greetings are one of the first things to learn in any language because they’re how you start encounters! Here are some simple and essential Tagalog greetings to help you make a good impression with locals or surprise loved ones by showing them you’re learning their language.
Hello in Tagalog is: Kamusta?
It can also mean "How are you?" in Tagalog, making it a versatile phrase.
Good morning in Tagalog is: Magandang umaga.
Good afternoon: Magandang hapon.
Good evening: Magandang gabi.
Thank you in Tagalog is: Salamat.
To say "Thank you very much", use: Maraming salamat.
In Tagalog, people typically adopt the English: Bye.
The alternative is the very formal: Paalam.
Now that you know some basic greetings and farewells, let’s explore some common Tagalog phrases for everyday conversations. These phrases in Tagalog are useful for introducing yourself, shopping, and getting around in the Philippines.
What’s your name?: Anong pangalan mo?
I am [Name]: Ako si [Name]
Where are you going?: Saan ka pupunta?
How much is this?: Magkano ito?
Where is the bathroom?: Nasaan ang banyo?
You’re welcome: Walang anuman
Can you help me?: Pwede mo ba akong tulungan?
I don’t understand: Hindi ko naiintindihan
I’m just looking (shopping): Tumingin lang ako
Delicious!: Masarap!
I’m lost: Naliligaw ako
How do I get to [place]?: Paano pumunta sa [place]?
As well as learning short and functional sentences, it’s an excellent idea to pick up a few common Tagalog words. Here are some frequently used words to form the foundation of your Tagalog vocabulary:
Yes - Oo
No - Hindi
Please - Paki- (+verb)
Excuse (me) - Mawalang-galang na
Love - Pag-ibig
Friend - Kaibigan
Food - Pagkain
Water - Tubig
Learning a new language takes time, but the right methods can make it much easier! These practical tips will help you build your Tagalog vocabulary faster:
Learning certainly doesn’t have to be boring! Here are some unexpected ways to learn languages while having lots of fun:
Want more ideas? Check out these unexpected ways to learn languages. Bringing a few of these to your learning routine helps you clock up the hours and gives you enough variety to keep you motivated and engaged.
The words and phrases in the article are a great start, but your Tagalog journey has just begun. Download Drops to learn more essential words and phrases with fun, game-based language lessons. Next stop, the Philippines!
Some basic words include Oo (yes), Hindi (no), Salamat (thank you), Tubig (water), and Pagkain (food).
The casual way to say hi in Tagalog is Kamusta, which can also mean "How are you?"
A popular Filipino saying is: Bahala na, which means "Come what may" or "Leave it to fate."
Drops is one of the only language apps to offer Tagalog lessons. Start improving your Tagalog vocabulary today with just 5 minutes of daily game-based learning.
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