In the Philippines, most school subjects — except Filipino, of course — are taught in English. Also, Filipinos are constantly exposed to the language outside the classroom (e.g. road signs like "No Parking", Western TV shows and movies, English newspapers). Because of this, the country is one of the best in Asia in terms of English mastery.
That said, you can appreciate the country better if you know a thing or two about the "pambansang wika" ("national language"). Although different dialects are spoken throughout the country, Tagalog —which we will now refer to as "Filipino" — is the only non-English language that (almost) all Filipinos can understand. While the guide below is by no means an exhaustive one, it can help you coast through most conversations with Filipinos (and maybe even impress them with your newfound language skills!).
General Greetings
- Good morning – "Magandang umaga"
- Good afternoon – "Magandang hapon"
- Good evening – "Magandang gabi"
- How are you? – "Kumusta ka na?"
- I'm fine/I'm okay – "Okay lang ako"
- Thank you – "Salamat"
- Goodbye – "Paalam"
- I'm sorry – "Pasensya na"
- Excuse me – "Excuse me" (You can also say "Paumanhin," but that's a more old-fashioned way of saying it.)
Conversation Starters
- Can you speak English? – "Marunong ka mag-English?"
- I can't speak Tagalog – "Hindi ako marunong mag-Tagalog"
- I don't understand – "Hindi ko maintindihan"
- I don't understand you – "Hindi kita maintindihan"
- What is your name? – "Anong pangalan mo?"
- My name is (your name) – "Ako si (your name)."
- Where is a good place to eat around here? – "Saan dito maganda kumain?"
- Where is a good place to drink around here? – "Saan dito maganda uminom?"
- Where is a good place to stay around here? – "Saan dito maganda tumira?"
When Asking for Directions
- Where is (place)? – "Saan ang (place)?"
- How do you get to (place)? – "Paano pumunta sa (place)?"
- What do I ride to get to (place)? – "Anong sasakyan ko para makapunta sa (place)?"
- Where is the toilet? – "Saan yung CR?" (In the Philippines, "CR" is short for "comfort room", which is interchangeable with "toilet.")
- Please help me, I'm lost – "Tulong, nawawala ako."
When Buying from a Local Store
- Do you have (product)? – "Meron kayong (product)?"
- How much is this? – "Magkano ito?"
- How much is one (product)? – "Magkano ang isang (product)?"
- How much is one pack of (product)? – "Magkano ang isang pakete ng (product)?"
- How much is one can of (product)? – "Magkano ang isang de lata ng (product)?"
- How much is one box of (product)? – "Magkano ang isang kahon ng (product)?"
When Eating at a Restaurant
- I want one (food) – "Gusto ko ng isang (food)"
- Water, please – Pahingi ng tubig
- One glass of water, please – Pahingi ng isang baso ng tubig
- Delicious! – Sarap!
Number System
- One – "Isa"
- Two – "Dalawa"
- Three – "Tatlo"
- Four – "Apat"
- Five – "Lima"
- Six – "Anim"
- Seven – "Pito"
- Eight – "Walo"
- Nine – "Siyam"
- Ten – "Sampu"
- Eleven – "Labing-isa"*
- Nineteen – "Labinsiyam"*
- Twenty – "Dalawampu"
- Twenty-one – "Dalawampu't-isa"
- Twenty-nine – "Dalawampu't-siyam"
- Thirty – "Tatlumpu"
- Thirty-one – "Tatlumpu't-isa"
- Thirty-nine – "Tatlumpu't-siyam"
*"Labing" is used when the next word starts with a vowel sound. "Labin" is used when the succeeding word starts with a consonant. The exceptions are seventeen, which is "labimpito," and eighteen, which is "labingwalo." The rest of the numerical system follows an easily discernible pattern, e.g. twenty-five is "dalawa + sampu + at + lima" = "dalawampu't lima."
When Inviting People Out
- Want to go out? – "Gusto mo lumabas?" (used when talking to one person only)
- Want to go out, guys? – "Gusto niyo lumabas?"
- Where do you want to eat? – "Saan mo gusto kumain?" (used when talking to one person only)
- Where do you want to eat, guys? – "Saan niyo gusto kumain?"
- I want to go to (place) – "Gusto ko pumunta sa (place)"
- I want to eat at (place) – "Gusto ko kumain sa (place)"
- Do you eat (food)? – "Kumakain ka ba ng (food)?"
- I love to eat (food) – "Mahilig ako sa (food)"
Miscellaneous
- Yes – Oo (the more polite form is "Opo," which is used for older people)
- No – Hindi (the more polite form is "Hindi po," which is used for older people)
- Wait a minute – Sandali lang
Filipinisms*** (Uniquely Filipino Ways of Using English)
***note: Filipinism – English
- Aircon – "air conditioner"
- Appear – "high-five"
- Carry – "Can handle this"
- Colgate – "toothpaste"
- CR – "toilet"
- Gets mo ba? – "Do you understand?"
- High blood – "Angry"
- Officemate – "co-worker"
- Picture! – "Take a photo!"
- Presidentiable – "candidate for president"
- Take Out – "to go (often used in fast food restaurants)"
- Xerox – "photocopy"
- You already – (used in response to someone who's had a major achievement, e.g. a promotion)
So these are the basic words/phrases that can get you through most conversations in the Philippines. If you have any questions about these, or if there's anything you want this list to add, sound off in the comments!
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