
The origin of Tagalog vocabulary and its significant grammatical differences compared to English make it relatively difficult for many people to master. The Foreign Service Institute has listed Tagalog as a Category III language, making it as challenging to learn as Hebrew, Greek, and Russian. The good news is that everything should be smooth sailing once you’ve gotten past the hurdles of things like verb–pronoun relationships, verb conjugation, vocabulary, and pronunciation. And, if you’re reading this guide on advanced Tagalog phrases, it means you’ve gotten past those hurdles. It also means you’re ready to take on more challenging aspects of the Filipino language.
Don’t worry: challenging doesn’t always mean complex, and advanced doesn’t necessarily mean intimidating. In this guide, you’ll encounter words and phrases that you won’t typically hear in everyday speech. Here, you’ll be introduced to expressions reserved for things like academic writing, resume writing, and formal business meetings. Moreover, you’ll have the opportunity to express your ideas and opinions more effectively by learning advanced Filipino idioms.

Are you ready to take the challenge?

- Useful Phrases for Formal Speech and Writing
- Power Phrases for Resumes
- Smart Phrases for Business Meetings
- Advanced Idioms, Sayings, and Proverbs for Everyday Usage
- How FilipinoPod101 Can Help
1. Useful Phrases for Formal Speech and Writing
The following phrases are not something you’ll get to use or hear every day. They are often used in formal speech and writing. You may not always be given the opportunity to use them, but when the right time comes, it’s better that you have them in your arsenal of advanced Filipino phrases.
Una sa lahat – “First of all” |
Una sa lahat, nais kong kilalanin… “First of all, I would like to acknowledge…” |
Ayon sa / Ayon kay – “According to” |
Ayon sa pananaliksik… “According to research…” |
Bagkus – “On the contrary,” “Rather” |
Bagkus, ang problema na ito ay maaari sanang maiwasan. The problem, rather, is supposed to be preventable. |
Bukod dito – “Moreover” Literally: “Besides this” |
Bukod dito, mahalagang maunawaan natin ang mga layunin ng pag-aaral na ito. “Moreover, it is vital for us to know the objectives of this study.” |
Nang sa gayon – “So as to,” “In order to” |
…nang sa gayon ay maisulong ang patuloy na pananaliksik ukol sa paksang ito. “…so as to promote ongoing research on this topic.” |
Sa madaling salita – “In other words” |
Sa madaling salita, ang proyekto ay dapat na mapondohan sa lalong madaling panahon. “In other words, the project must be funded as soon as possible.” |
Ganun din – “In the same manner” |
Ganun din, hindi ito nangangailangan ng espesyal na pagsasanay. “In the same manner, it doesn’t require any special training.” |
Gayunpaman – “However” |
Gayunpaman, marami ang hindi nakakaalam nito. “However, many are not aware of this.” |
Sa kabila nito – “Nevertheless” |
Sa kabila nito, hindi tayo dapat magmadali sa paggawa ng mga konklusyon. “Nevertheless, we must not be in haste to make conclusions.” |
Sa kabaliktaran – “By contrast” |
Sa kabaliktaran, ang mga tumanggap ng gamot ay nagpakita ng mga palatandaan ng paggaling. “By contrast, those who received the drug showed signs of recovery.” |

Ayon sa pananaliksik…(“According to research…”)
- ➜ Find out which specific tool you can use to perfect your speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills!
2. Power Phrases for Resumes
Formal or business writing in the Philippines is primarily done using the English language. In the Philippines, having a good command of English gives one the advantage of securing a job. Being able to speak English fluently is seen as equivalent to being able to effectively interact with other cultures. That doesn’t mean you can’t write your resume in Filipino. If you’re a foreigner, being able to write a resume in fluent Tagalog is a sign of knowledge and dedication. It will show the employer that you’re serious about your application and are also creative and willing to think outside the box.
Kakayahang magtrabaho nang may mataas na antas ng kawastuhan |
“Ability to perform with a high degree of accuracy” |
Kakayahang magkamit ng namumukod-tanging resulta sa mga proyekto |
“Ability to achieve outstanding project results” |
Magpakita ng positibong imahe |
“Projects a positive image” |
Makipag-usap nang malinaw at may kabuluhan |
“Communicates clearly and concisely” |
Gamitin ang buong kakayahan |
“Uses ability to the fullest” |
Magpakita ng malikhaing imahinasyon |
“Displays creative imagination” |
Kakayahang gumawa ng matatag na desisyon na may kumpyansa sa sarili |
“Ability to make firm decisions with confidence” |
Tunay na maaasahan at mapagkakatiwalaan sa pagtupad ng mga tungkulin |
“Exceptionally reliable and trustworthy in accomplishing tasks” |
Kakahayang bumuo ng makabaong diskarte at pamamaraan sa pagkumpleto ng proyekto |
“Ability to develop new strategies and methods for completing a project” |
Inuuna ang interes ng organisasyon bago ang personal na kaginhawaan |
“Places organizational interest ahead of personal convenience” |

Palagi kong ginagamit ang aking buong kakayahan.
“I always use my ability to the fullest.”
- ➜ Applying for a job? Here are useful job interview questions you could study prior to an interview.
3. Smart Phrases for Business Meetings
While English may be the primary means of communication in the Philippine corporate world, Tagalog steals the limelight during business meetings. Unless there are any non-Filipino speakers at the conference, everyone is free to use a mix of English and Tagalog as a medium for expressing their thoughts and opinions. That said, it’s always an advantage to know some formal Filipino words and expressions when at a meeting, as it gives the impression that you know what you’re talking about and that you’re there to do business.
Simulan ang pagpupulong – “To start the meeting” |
Simulan na natin ang pagpupulong. “Let’s start the meeting.” |
Talakayin ang mungkahi – “To discuss the proposal” |
Nais kong talakayin natin ang iminungkahi ni Ginoong Rodriguez. “I would like us to discuss what Mr. Rodriguez has proposed.” |
Isulong ang proyekto – “To promote the project” |
Kailangan na nating maisulong ang proyekto sa lalong madaling panahon. “We need to move the project forward as soon as possible.” |
Makabagong estratehiya – “Innovative approach” |
Sa araw na ito, mag-iisip tayo ng mas makabagong istratehiya. “Today, we will think of a more innovative approach.” |
Pamunuan ang kalakaran – “To lead the trend” |
Maaari nating pamunuan ang mga kalakaran sa ekonomiya sa halip na sumunod lamang. “We can lead the trends in the economy instead of simply following.” |
Matugunan ang takdang-petsa – “To meet the deadline” |
Huwag kang mag-alala. Magagawa nating matugunan ang takdang-petsa. “Don’t worry. We will be able to meet the deadline.” |
Napakaraming rekisitos – “Red tape” Literally: “So many requirements” |
Mahirap maiwasan ang napakaraming rekisitos, ngunit hindi ito imposible. “It’s hard to avoid the red tape, but it’s not impossible.” |
Magbigay-pugay – “To give honor” |
Bago ang lahat, nais kong magbigay-pugay sa ating punong tagapamahala. “Before anything else, I would like to give honor to our chief executive.” |
Tubong lugaw – “a business enterprise with returns far exceeding the investment ”Literally: Profit from selling porridge |
Subukan natin ang ideya ni Diane. Maliit man ang kita, pero tuloy-tuloy. Tubong-lugaw, ika nga. “Let’s try Diane’s idea. The income for each sale may be small, but it’s sustainable. Soon, our returns will far exceed what we’ve invested.” |
Maging maagap – “To be proactive” |
Maging maagap tayo sa pagpili kung paano gagamitin ang mga oras natin. “We need to be proactive in how we use our time.” |

Maaari nating pamunuan ang mga kalakaran sa ekonomiya sa halip na sumunod lamang.
“We can lead the trends in the economy instead of simply following.”
- ➜ Learn Filipino phrases for doing business successfully.
4. Advanced Idioms, Sayings, and Proverbs for Everyday Usage
The Filipino language has some of the most captivating idioms and proverbs. Referred to as salawikain or sawikain in Tagalog, sayings or idioms play an essential role in Filipino culture. They are passed down from one generation to another, primarily through oral tradition, and are often humorous (or even bizarre) while still offering practical wisdom from older times.
Itaga mo sa bato. – “Mark my words” Literally: “Hack it against a rock” |
Hahanapin mo din ako pag wala na ako. Itaga mo iyan sa bato. “You will look for me when I’m gone. Mark my words.” |
Maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan. – “All hell will break loose.” Literally: “The peel will mix with the ones peeled” |
Pag nalaman kong niloloko niyo ako, maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan. “When I find out that you’re trying to fool me, all hell will break loose.” |
Namamangka sa dalawang ilog – “Cheating” Literally: “Rowing a boat on two rivers at the same time” |
Ayan ang napapala mo sa pamamangka mo sa dalawang ilog. “That’s what you get for cheating.” |
Pupulutin sa kangkungan – “End up in a dumpster” Literally: “Will be picked up from a cluster of water spinach” Note: In the Philippines, the bodies of victims of summary executions are often thrown in ponds covered by a dense growth of water spinach. |
Pupulutin ka sa kangkungan kapag hindi mo inayos ang buhay mo. “You might end up in a dumpster if you don’t behave.” |
Kahit lumuha ka ng dugo – “You won’t be forgiven no matter what you do” Literally: “Even if you shed tears of blood” |
Hindi kita pagbibigyan kahit lumuha ka pa ng dugo. “I will never grant your desire, not even if you shed tears of blood.” |
Naghahabi ng kuwento – “Exaggerating,” “Telling a lie” Literally: “Weaving a story” |
Mahilig talaga maghabi ng kwento si Joel makakuha lang ng kliyente. “Joel will do anything to attract clients, even weave a fascinating story.” |
Suntok sa buwan – “A task that is next-to-impossible to accomplish” Literally: “A punch to the moon” |
Ang mahulog ang loob niya sa akin ay suntok sa buwan. “To have her fall in love with me is next to impossible.” |
Harangan man ng sibat – “No matter what it takes” Literally: “Even when stopped by a spear” |
Hindi nila iuurong ang kaso harangan man sila ng sibat. “They will not drop the case no matter what happens.” |
Maghanap ng karayom sa gitna ng dayami – “To do a seemingly impossible task” Literally: “To look for a needle in the middle of a haystack” |
Sa sitwasyong iyan ay parang naghahanap lamang siya ng karayom sa gitna ng dayami. “The way things are going, it seems that he’s just wasting his time on something that’s impossible to accomplish.” |
Magdildil ng asin – “Be so poor that you have to eat salt (with rice) for meals,” “To be poor as a rat” Literally: “Bunch up salt with one’s fingers” |
Mag-aral ka nang mabuti kung ayaw mong magdildil ng asin habangbuhay. “Study hard if you don’t want to end up poor as a rat.” |

Maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan.
“All hell will break loose.”
- ➜ Access this lesson to learn more common Filipino idioms.
5. How FilipinoPod101 Can Help
Congratulations! With these advanced Filipino phrases, you’ll be able to communicate in Tagalog more fluently and more confidently! Are there other advanced Tagalog words and phrases you wish we had included on this list? Let us know in the comments.
That said, you know that the phrases on this list are not all there is. Here at FilipinoPod101, you can further enhance your skills with lessons from our archives and other free resources. You can rest assured that there’s a lesson tailored to your needs, whether it’s about vocabulary, key Filipino phrases, or grammar.
And speaking of tailored lessons, if you wish to take a more personalized approach to learning Filipino, you can do just that with MyTeacher. This service is included with a Premium PLUS subscription, and it gives you access to exclusive lessons and lets you enjoy 1-on-1 coaching with a professional Filipino teacher. With this approach, you’ll be able to track your progress in real time and have someone guide you in choosing the most appropriate learning path based on your needs.
Sign up with FilipinoPod101 now to enjoy all these features and more!

The Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Filipino Phrases

You’re reading this guide for one reason—you’re ready to move on to the next level of Filipino proficiency! And there is no better feeling than being more confident with a language that you’ve worked hard to master. Now that you’ve gotten past the beginner stage, it’s time for you to learn a few intermediate Filipino phrases that you can naturally use in conversations.
The words and phrases you learned at the beginner level will serve as the foundation of your continued Filipino studies. The ones you’ll learn this time will help you have more fluent conversations with native speakers. They’ll also guide you through conversations when native speakers use expressions that are normal to them but may be unfamiliar to you.
We will specifically introduce you to phrases you can use to:
- Talk about past events
- Make plans for the future
- Provide reasons and explanations
- Make recommendations or complaints
Finally, we’ll teach you which phrases to use as responses during daily conversations.

The phrases you’ll learn here will help you have more fluent conversations with native speakers.

- Let’s Talk About the Past!
- How About the Future?—Making and Changing Plans
- I’ll Tell You Why—Giving Explanations and Citing Reasons
- …And Why Not—Making Recommendations and Complaints
- Talaga! And Various Responses for Everyday Conversations
- Etiquette Phrases for Social and Business Settings
- Go a Level Higher with FilipinoPod101!
1. Let’s Talk About the Past!
Filipinos love to socialize. When they do, you can expect the atmosphere to be filled with kwentuhan (the act of sharing stories). To avoid feeling out of place, you should learn how to talk about your own past experiences in Filipino. If you’ve come across our entry on Filipino verb conjugation, you should have an idea of how to conjugate Tagalog verbs to form the past tense. The following list of intermediate Filipino phrases should also help you share your own kwento (stories).
Namasyal kami kahapon. |
We went to see places yesterday. |
Literally: Strolled we yesterday. |
Ang saya-saya namin! |
We had lots of fun! |
Literally: Very happy we! Notice how the word saya (fun) was reduplicated in this sentence. In Filipino grammar, the full reduplication of a word indicates intensity. Take note, too, that the same sentence could be translated as “We are very happy,” which is in the present tense. In this case, identifying whether the statement is in the past or present tense will depend on the context. |
Doon ako nagtatrabaho dati. |
I used to work there. |
Literally: There I worked before. |
Dalawang linggo akong hindi nakalabas. |
I wasn’t able to go out for two weeks. |
Literally: Two weeks I wasn’t able to go outside. The word Linggo also means “Sunday” in Filipino. You’ll know which is which since the first letter for “Sunday” is capitalized. |
Bumisita sila rito noong makalawa. |
They came over the other day. |
Literally: Visited them here two days ago. |
Apat na taon na kaming nakatira dito. |
We’ve been residing here for four years. |
Literally: Four years already we living here. |
Nagbakasyon kami sa Dubai noong pasko ng 2017. |
We went for a vacation in Dubai on the Christmas of 2017. |
Literally: Had vacation we in Dubai on Christmas of 2017. |
- ➜ Be sure to check our lesson on the different grammatical tenses in Filipino.

Doon ako nagtatrabaho dati. (“I used to work there.”)
2. How About the Future?—Making and Changing Plans
Filipinos are quite flexible. We love making plans, but we don’t mind making changes if the situation calls for it.
Talking about the future in Filipino is just as simple as talking about the past. All you need to do is mind your verb conjugation. Below are several intermediate-level Tagalog phrases you can use to make or change plans with your new Filipino friends.
Pwede ka ba sa Linggo? |
Are you available this coming Sunday? |
Literally: Available you on Sunday? |
Pwede bang sa Sabado na lang tayo magkita? |
Would it be possible for us to meet on Saturday instead? |
Literally: Can Saturday only we meet? |
Kape tayo bukas! |
Let’s have coffee tomorrow! |
Literally: Coffee us tomorrow! Perhaps you’re wondering how the word kape (“coffee”) functions here as a verb. In formal speech, this sentence is supposed to be Magkape tayo bukas, with the prefix mag- indicating that the verb is in the future tense. In informal speech, shortening a word is often acceptable. Also, in colloquial Filipino, it’s not unusual for some nouns to be used as verbs. Other examples include mag-gitara (to play the guitar), mag-telepono (to use the phone), and mag-bus (to take the bus). |
Anong oras tayo magkikita? |
What time shall we meet? |
Literally: What time we will meet? |
Baka pwedeng sa makalawa ka na lang umalis. |
Perhaps you should stay with us for two more days. |
Literally: Maybe it’s possible two days from now you will leave. Notice how the word makalawa in this sentence means “in the next two days.” As shown in one of the previous examples, it could also mean “two days ago.” |
Sa ibang araw na lang natin pag-usapan. |
Let’s just talk about it some other time. |
Literally: Next time only we talk about. |
Pasensya ka na pero may gagawin ako sa Sabado. |
I’m sorry, but I have something to do on Saturday. |
Literally: Sorry you but doing something I on Saturday. The word pasensya is also the word for “patience.” For this reason, you could also use it when asking someone to be patient with you. |

Pasensya ka na pero may gagawin ako sa Sabado. (“I’m sorry, but I have something to do on Saturday.”)
3. I’ll Tell You Why—Giving Explanations and Citing Reasons
You can expect any conversation to reach a point where you’ll have to give an explanation about a choice you made. There’s no specific formula for doing so, as it could be as simple as giving a quick reason or as complex as citing your entire rationale. It helps that the Filipino sentence structure is similar to that of English and that most conjunctions used in English have direct equivalents in Filipino. To get you started, we have listed below a few intermediate phrases in Filipino for giving your reasons.
Ginawa ko iyon dahil yun ang tama. |
I did it because it was the right thing to do. |
Literally: Did I that because it was right. |
Pinili ko ito dahil una sa lahat, alam kong gusto mo ang kulay. Pangalawa, kasya siya sa bulsa mo. At pangatlo, sulit ang presyo. |
I chose this because first of all, I know you love the color. Second, it fits in your pocket. And third, it’s worth the price. |
Literally: Chose I this because first of all, know I like you the color. Secondly, fits it in your pocket. And thirdly, it’s worth the price. |
Sana makasama kayo para marami tayo. |
I hope you can come so we can all have fun. |
Literally: Hopefully you can join so there’s many of us. Most Filipinos are highly extroverted. As they say, the more the merrier! |
Huwag kang maingay para hindi magising ang bata. |
Don’t be too loud so that the baby doesn’t wake up. |
Literally: Don’t you noisy so not wake up the child. |
Napagod ako kaya hindi na ako sumama. |
I was so tired, so I decided to stay. |
Literally: Tired I so didn’t I come along. |
4. …And Why Not—Making Recommendations and Complaints
We’ve established that Filipinos love to share stories. Filipinos are very friendly, and we will share our life experiences even with complete strangers! That’s what makes us great at giving recommendations (and non-recommendations). One thing you should know about giving recommendations and making complaints in Filipino is that we often use full reduplication. Oftentimes, this is to convey intensity or to emphasize how much we liked or disliked an experience. Examine the phrases below along with their literal translations to better understand this concept.
Subukan mo yung pagawaan ng sasakyan sa may kanto. |
Try the car repair shop on the corner. |
Literally: Try you the maker of vehicles there in the corner. |
Ito na ang pinakamasarap na adobo na natikman ko! |
This is the most delicious adobo I have ever tasted! |
Literally: This is already the most delicious adobo tasted by me! |
Hinding-hindi ka magsisisi sa pagpunta dun! |
You will never regret going there! |
Literally: Never ever you will regret in going there! |
Masarap ang kape nila! |
Their coffee is great! |
Literally: Delicious the coffee of theirs! |
Huwag na huwag mong subukang pumunta sa lugar na yun! |
Never ever try to go to that place! |
Literally: Do not you try going to place that is there! |
Kailangan pa nilang pagbutihin ang serbisyo nila. |
They still need to improve their service. |
Literally: Need still they improve the service of theirs. |

Masarap ang kape nila. (“Their coffee is great!”)
- ➜ No one wants to be around a person who always complains. However, it’s another thing to know how to make complaints in order to raise awareness and promote improvement. Learn how to make complaints in Filipino on our website.
5. Talaga! And Various Responses for Everyday Conversations
Now, let’s go over some responses used in everyday conversations. These are the phrases you’ll hear or use yourself to express surprise, excitement, annoyance, or disappointment.
1 – Talaga?!
A: Namasyal kami kahapon. (“We went to see places yesterday.”)
Literally: Strolled we yesterday.
B: Talaga? Saan kayo pumunta? (“Really? Which ones?”)
Literally: Really? Where you went?
2 – Ang galing!
A: Marunong na siyang magbisikleta. (“He now knows how to ride a bicycle.”)
Literally: Know already he/she to ride a bicycle.
B: Wow! Ang galing naman! (“Wow! That’s really impressive!”)
Literally: Wow! Very good!
3 – Magandang balita yan!
A: Sa wakas! Makakauwi na si Tatay! (“Finally! Dad will be able to come home!”)
Literally: In the end! Coming home already Father!
B: Magandang balita yan ah! (“That’s good news!”)
Literally: Good news that is!
4 – Grabe!
A: Walong taon na kaming hindi nagkikita ni Teddy. (“Teddy and I haven’t seen each other in eight years.”)
Literally: Eight years already us have not see each other Teddy.
B: Grabe. Ang tagal-tagal na. (“Gosh. It’s been so long.”)
Literally: That’s serious. It’s so long already.
5 – Astig!
A: Diyan ako nagtatrabaho dati. (“I used to work there.”)
Literally: There I worked before.
B: Astig! Kaya pala ang galing mo pagdating sa mga kompyuter. (“Cool! So that’s why you’re so good with computers.”)
Literally: Tough! That’s why good you are when it comes to computers.
6 – Sayang!
A: Pasensya ka na pero may gagawin ako sa Sabado. (“I’m sorry, but I have something to do on Saturday.”)
Literally: Sorry you but doing something I on Saturday.
B: Sayang naman. May ibibigay sana ako sa iyo. (“Too bad. I was going to give you something.”)
Literally: What a waste. There is something to give hopefully I to you.
7 – Niloloko mo ba ako?!
A: Pwede bang sa Sabado na lang tayo magkita? (“Would it be possible for us to meet on Saturday instead?”)
Literally: Can Saturday only we meet?
B: Niloloko mo ba ako? Alam mong may trabaho ako pag Sabado. (“Are you kidding me? You know I have work on Saturdays.”)
Literally: Are you fooling me? Know you that have work I when Saturday.
8 – Mabuti naman kung ganon.
A: Makakalabas na daw ako sabi ng doktor. (“The doctor said I could go out.”)
Literally: Go out already I said the doctor.
B: Mabuti naman kung ganon. (“That’s good to know.”)
Literally: Good if that is the case.

Talaga?! (“Really?!”)
- ➜ Here are more Filipino conversational phrases you will find useful!
6. Etiquette Phrases for Social and Business Settings
There’s no question that Filipinos are hospitable. We place high value on politeness and respect, especially in formal settings. The following are useful intermediate Filipino phrases to learn by heart so you’ll know just what to say when you’re in a social or business setting.
Pasok po kayo. |
“Please come in.” |
Literally: Enter you. A more formal way of saying this is to use the word tuloy (“to continue”) instead of pasok (“to enter”). |
Ikinagagalak ko kayong makilala. |
“Pleased to meet you.” |
Literally: Pleased I you to know. |
Maupo po kayo. |
“Please have a seat.” |
Literally: Have a seat you. |
Walang anuman. |
“You’re welcome.” |
Literally: It’s nothing. |
Sabihin niyo lang po kung may mga katanungan kayo. |
“Please let us know if you have questions.” |
Literally: Say you if there are questions you. |
Salamat po sa pagbisita. |
“Thank you for coming.” |
Literally: Thank you for visiting. |
Inaasahan ko ang tugon ninyo. |
“I look forward to hearing from you.” |
Literally: Expecting I the response of you. |
Ingat po kayo sa biyahe. |
“Have a safe trip!” |
Literally: Take care you in trip. |

Tuloy po kayo. (“Please come in.”)
- ➜ Looking for more Filipino phrases to use in business settings? See our blog entry on phrases to help you speak professionally in Filipino.
7. Go a Level Higher with FilipinoPod101!
We’ve covered some of the most useful intermediate Filipino phrases in this article. If there is a useful intermediate Filipino phrase or expression that you feel should have been included in this entry, let us know in the comments.
Meanwhile, did you know that you could learn more and improve your language skills by signing up for FilipinoPod101? At FilipinoPod101.com, you can get exclusive access to even more resources designed to help you take your Filipino speaking skills to another level. You can rest assured that there are lesson materials and learning tools to suit your needs, from video presentations and audio lessons to vocabulary lists and blog entries just like this one.
Speaking of which, don’t forget to try out MyTeacher, a Premium PLUS service that provides personal 1-on-1 coaching so that you can enjoy lessons that are tailored to your needs and goals.
Happy learning!

Refine Your Tagalog with Our Filipino Podcast List

Listening is the most important part of learning a new language. Yes, you need to master the basics of writing and speaking, but everything should start with listening. Even newborn babies go through a period of silence where all they do is listen to and absorb the sounds around them.
It’s no secret that Filipino (or Tagalog) is a difficult language to master. One easy aspect of learning Filipino, however, is that the words are spelled as they’re pronounced. This makes listening to Filipino podcasts easy and enjoyable, even for relatively new learners. And if you’re wondering whether there are any Filipino-made podcasts that are worth listening to, you may be surprised to discover that there are actually a lot.
Filipinos are among the best communicators in the world. In this entry, we’ll introduce you to some of the most sought-after podcasts from Filipino creators. From sports and comedy to relationships and current issues, you can rest assured that there’s something out there made exactly for a Filipino learner like you!

Listening is the most important part of learning a new language.

- Benefits of Using Podcasts to Learn Filipino
- The Best Podcasts for Learning Filipino
- Tricks for Learning Filipino More Effectively with Podcasts
- Enhance Your Comprehension Skills with FilipinoPod101
1. Benefits of Using Podcasts to Learn Filipino
Ask learners of any language what they want to improve first, and you’ll get “speaking” nearly a hundred percent of the time. Seldom will you encounter students who are as eager to improve their listening and comprehension skills as they are their speaking skills. And that’s understandable. After all, there’s nothing more exciting than finally being fluent in a language we’re studying. However, what most students fail to recognize is that fluency all starts with comprehension.
So, how can listening to popular Filipino podcasts help you tap into your listening skills (and subsequently, your speaking skills)?
1. By listening to podcasts to learn Filipino, you’ll be able to understand native speakers a lot better when they speak. That’s comprehension.
2. The more you listen to how words are pronounced, the more your own pronunciation skills will improve. Listening to Filipino podcasts means spending time learning the proper accent for speaking in Tagalog.
3. You’ll master how words should be connected and how they should flow when you’re speaking. This will allow you to sound more like a native speaker and a lot less like Google’s AI translator. Now that’s fluency!
Convinced? Then let’s check out some of the best Tagalog podcasts you should start listening to.

Listening to podcasts will help you understand native speakers a lot better.
- → Speaking of fluency, check out our tips on how to achieve extraordinary Filipino fluency.
2. The Best Podcasts for Learning Filipino
1. The Linya-Linya Show
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Theme: Comedy
First on our list is The Linya-Linya Show. It’s the perfect podcast for those who are just starting to learn Filipino, as the hosts speak in a clear manner and at a moderate speed in most episodes. This is a lighthearted podcast featuring Filipino writer Ali Sangalang and comedian Victor Anastacio. At the time of this writing, the show has a total of 159 episodes. In each one, the duo talks about random yet meaningful things that an average Filipino experiences on a daily basis: fatherhood, motorcycles, rap battles, and even antics from their own youths.
2. Ganap: An Okay Fight Podcast
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Theme: Comedy, Filipino Culture
What happens when you turn a Filipino drinking session into a podcast? Ganap: An Okay Fight Podcast is what you get.
This Filipino comedy podcast may have only fourteen episodes, but it should be enough to introduce you to Filipino culture. Not to mention that each episode is an excellent tool for improving your listening skills. Why? As mentioned, the episodes are technically drinking sessions that were recorded and aired online. That means you can often expect to hear more than one voice speaking at the same time. But since it’s a regular merrymaking activity, you can expect the language to be limited to what you’d hear Filipinos use on a normal day.
3. Tsaastrology
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Theme: Comedy, Astrology
With over a hundred episodes, Tsaastrology presents a unique approach to podcasting. It’s an improv comedy podcast hosted by three friends who talk about everything—not just under the sun but under the entire cosmos, so to speak. However, each episode focuses on a specific horoscope, with the hosts giving advice about love, relationships, career, and life in general. You can expect to hear some Taglish (as you would in any other Filipino podcast), but you can rest assured that 90% of the conversations are in Filipino.
4. The Wrestling-Wrestling Podcast
Level: Advanced
Theme: Sports, Wrestling
You probably weren’t expecting to find a podcast about wrestling here, and definitely not one that’s Filipino-made. But, believe it or not, entertainment wrestling is as big in the Philippines as it is in any other country. The Wrestling-Wrestling Podcast is proof of that. Hosted by three veteran Pinoy podcasters, The WW Podcast has been around since 2014. I would say that this particular podcast is best for advanced learners; it requires careful listening as the hosts switch between English and Tagalog all the time.
5. PumaPodcast
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Theme: Current Issues
PumaPodcast is a podcast like no other. It’s not an individual show that focuses on one major theme, but rather a curation of multiple podcasts dealing with a range of subjects. Listening to each episode will not only help you improve your comprehension of the Filipino language, but it will also keep you up-to-date on the latest happenings in the Philippines and around the world. The hosts and their guests often mix English and Tagalog, so feel free to key in on the points where the speakers are using 100% Tagalog.
6. Boiling Waters PH
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Theme: Dating & Relationships
Boiling Waters PH is the go-to podcast for people seeking relationship advice. According to the two unnamed male hosts, the podcast deals with all the stuff about dating and relationships that people don’t usually dare to talk about. There are instances in each episode where the hosts and their guests speak in English, but 95% of the podcast is pure Tagalog. And since this show talks about love, expect the choice of vocabulary to be uncomplicated. So yes, if you’re a beginner, this is one of the podcasts you should listen to.

Listening to Filipino podcasts will help you master how words should flow when you’re speaking.
- → Did you know that you can enjoy free vocabulary lesson materials here at FilipinoPod101.com?
7. Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Theme: Current Issues, Pop Culture
The term walang kwenta literally means “useless” in English. But if there’s one word to describe Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast, it’s definitely not that one—that is, if your goal is to learn Filipino. The podcast is hosted by well-known Filipino filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone and writer/actor/spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo. There are about a hundred episodes centering on various subjects, most of which are related to pop culture and trending issues. Both of the hosts speak in Tagalog 95% of the time, which makes this the perfect podcast for those who want to enjoy entire episodes without having to skip around.
8. Walwal Sesh
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Theme: Mental Health, Dating & Relationships
One of the best Filipino podcasts to listen to while you’re in the car or commuting via bus or train, Walwal Sesh revolves around the topics of love, mental health, equality, and the things that really matter. The three hosts know what they’re talking about, each having a medical background. One of them is actually a medical doctor, so you can rest assured that they’re precise when talking about self-care, anger management, sex, and depression. What you’ll love about this podcast is that the hosts rarely interrupt each other, which will allow you to really concentrate on each word as you listen.
9. Creepsilog
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Theme: Horror, Crime, Mystery
For those of you who are into horror and murder mysteries, Creepsilog is the perfect Pinoy podcast for you. The series has some touches of humor to it, which makes it even more interesting. Hosted by Gideon Mendoza and Glenn Tabarejos, Creepsilog now has over 170 episodes under its belt. The fascinating stories in each episode should motivate you to listen intently and to research the meaning of new words and expressions—that way, you can more easily figure out how each plot goes down. You’ll find this notable Filipino podcast on Spotify.
10. Telebabad Tapes
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Theme: Relationships, Filipino Culture
The term telebabad is a 90s expression that refers to the habit of teenagers back then to spend especially long hours on the phone. As the title of the podcast suggests, Telebabad Tapes revolves around topics one would not hesitate to spend hours discussing. The show is hosted by husband-and-wife duo Wincy Ong and Cj de Silva. Each episode is usually centered around a pop-culture item, whether that be a song, movie, or special occasion. It then progresses into a more serious discussion about that item. If you want to find out what it meant to be a Filipino teen back in the 90s, this is the podcast for you. Oh, and the hosts converse in fluent Tagalog 95% of the time, making this podcast a great tool for boosting your comprehension skills.
11. FilipinoPod101
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Theme: Language Learning
What better way to learn Filipino than by listening to a podcast that directly teaches the language? FilipinoPod101 offers a wide range of podcast episodes that focus on different aspects of the Filipino language. What makes FilipinoPod101 audio lessons unique is that they’re designed to make learning fun and enjoyable. That means you can’t expect lessons that come straight out of textbooks, but ones that you can apply right away. For instance, there are lessons about words related to eating, ways to learn new words, and how to talk about your daily routine in Filipino.
- → Here are the top reasons why the FilipinoPod101 podcast is the best.
12. Woke Up PH
Level: Advanced
Theme: Politics, Current Events
Woke Up PH is a one-of-a-kind podcast. Its main aim is to “wake up” the country’s youth to the issues that are most pressing for the Filipino people. The subjects discussed in each episode are especially relevant to young people. The podcast has only 12 episodes (all aired in 2019), but each one exudes so much insight that’s still relevant two years later. Most of the episodes are in English, with only a few featuring Filipino dialogue. Just pick the ones that you believe will help you with your Filipino-language studies the most. We can’t not include it on this list, as it’s actually one of the most noteworthy Filipino-made podcasts right now.

Hosts of Filipino podcasts speak fluent Tagalog, which means you won’t have a hard time following every word they say.
3. Tricks for Learning Filipino More Effectively with Podcasts
We’ve established that listening to podcasts is one of the best ways to take your comprehension skills to the next level. We’ve also presented you with the top Filipino podcasts to help you improve your Tagalog. Now, here are some tips on how you can learn more effectively with the podcasts on our list.
1 – Pick a podcast that talks about your interests.
While it’s true that you’ll benefit from podcasts regardless of their theme, there’s an advantage to listening to those that cover the stuff you’re interested in. Being interested in the topics at hand will motivate you to listen intently so that you don’t miss anything.
2 – Find the right time to listen.
Sure, you can listen anytime and anywhere. That’s one advantage of using podcasts to learn Filipino. However, it’s going to be difficult to retain anything when you’re tired or sleepy. As much as possible, you’ll want to listen to your favorite podcast at the times when you’re most alert. This will allow you to focus on the content better and increase your chances of remembering what you’ve heard.
3 – Don’t hesitate to rewind when necessary.
I remember when the internet didn’t exist yet, and we had to keep on rewinding and playing our favorite song on the cassette player just to pick up the lyrics. That’s a good technique when learning a language via a podcast. There will always be times when the person you’re listening to is speaking too fast or mumbling their words. Every time you fail to catch a word or phrase, don’t hesitate to click the rewind button to listen again.
4 – Take notes.
When there’s a word you don’t understand, don’t just press “rewind” to listen again. Be sure to write words down, too, particularly those that are not familiar to you. Taking notes is an effective study strategy as it forces you to pay attention. Aside from simply writing down new words, you can also write down your thoughts on the podcast or even draft a summary. This will help you understand and remember things better.
5 – Play it in the background as often as you can.
One advantage of listening to podcasts to learn Filipino, or any language for that matter, is that you can play episodes in the background while you’re doing other things. I know multitasking is not a good idea in general, but being a passive listener has its benefits at times. Many of the songs you probably know by heart today were songs you used to hear on the radio. Even if you didn’t intentionally listen to them, you became familiar with the lyrics over time. The same principle works here, provided that you take time to listen to each episode again and again.
6 – Find a friend you can learn with.
Finally, find someone you can learn with. It could be a fellow Filipino learner, or it could be a Filipino friend who can help explain to you what difficult words, phrases, and expressions mean. Learning with someone who knows the language is an advantage as you get to receive instant feedback and insights. Not to mention that it’s more fun to learn in a small group setting.

It’s more fun to learn Filipino with friends.
- → Find more hacks for studying Filipino on our website!
4. Enhance Your Comprehension Skills with FilipinoPod101
That’s it for our list of the best Tagalog podcast shows for improving your comprehension skills. There are definitely a lot more, and if you know a couple that didn’t make this list, comment their names below so we can all check them out.
Before you leave, don’t forget to go through our free learning resources here at FilipinoPod101.com. You now know that we even have our own podcast to help you improve your Filipino!
But that’s not all. Here at FilipinoPod101.com, you can have access to a wide range of features designed specifically to help you master the Filipino language. One such feature is MyTeacher, a Premium PLUS service that lets you learn Filipino 1-on-1 with your own personal instructor. Want to take your language skills to the next level?
Join FilipinoPod101 now!

Tagalog Phrases for Beginners

Being able to advance from one level to the next when learning a new language is so satisfying. Nothing beats the excitement of knowing that you’ll soon be able to communicate using a language other than your own. This is especially true when learning Filipino, a language influenced by so many other languages. Before you can move on to the next level, though, you’ll first need to master Tagalog phrases for beginners. There is no skipping this step.
The good news is that basic Filipino phrases are not that difficult to pick up. Most Filipino words have direct English translations, and the word order is also similar to that of English. Moreover, in this article, we have prepared more than a couple dozen basic Filipino phrases for beginners that you’ll find invaluable as you journey toward mastery of the Filipino language. To finish strong in your language learning race, you need to start strong.
We’ll start with the fundamentals of how to greet people and introduce yourself, and then we’ll cover some indispensable phrases to use when you’re out shopping or dining with friends. Finally, we’ll introduce you to essential phrases for an emergency.

To finish strong in your language learning race, you need to start strong.

- Greetings and Self-introductions
- Courtesy Phrases & Social Expressions
- Dining & Shopping Phrases
- Asking for Help
- Learn Filipino Beginner Phrases and More at FilipinoPod101.com!
1. Greetings and Self-introductions
While Filipinos are friendly and hospitable, most relationships within the Filipino culture have formal beginnings. When meeting someone for the first time, it’s important to be polite and respectful, not only with your words but also with your body language. Whenever appropriate, greet someone with a soft handshake. This is not necessary when you’re simply asking for directions, though, or when acknowledging someone you’re familiar with on the street. Below are some of the most common Filipino greetings to use when meeting someone.
Kumusta? |
“Hello.” / “How are you?” |
Magandang araw. |
“Good day.” |
Literally: Beautiful day. |
Magandang umaga. |
“Good morning.” |
Literally: Beautiful morning. |
Magandang tanghali. |
“Good noon.” |
Literally: Beautiful noon. |
Magandang hapon. |
“Good afternoon.” |
Literally: Beautiful afternoon. |
Magandang gabi. |
“Good evening.” |
Literally: Beautiful evening. |
Always remember to use po when addressing someone older or higher in rank than you. Also, instead of using the first person singular (ka, mo, or kita), use the third person plural (kayo, nila, or inyo) to convey politeness.
Mabuti naman po. Kayo po? |
“I’m fine. And you?” |
Literally: Fine also. You? |
Just like in other cultures, introducing yourself and asking the other person their name (or the other way around) is the first thing to do when meeting someone new.
Anong pangalan mo? |
“What’s your name?” |
Literally: What is name your? |
Pwede ko bang malaman ang pangalan mo? |
“May I know your name, please?” |
Literally: May I know the name your? |
Ano pong pangalan nila? [Formal] |
“May I know your name, please?” |
Literally: What name their? |
Ako si (name). |
“I am (name).” |
Ako nga pala si (name). |
“I am (name), by the way.” |
Literally: I by the way am (name). |
(Name) pala ang pangalan ko. |
“My name is (name), by the way.” |
Literally: (Name) by the way the name my. |
With the number of ways you can structure sentences in Filipino, you might be wondering which one of these phrases you should use. The truth is that you can use any of them, as they are all appropriate for both formal and informal situations. Here are some useful Tagalog phrases for introductions that will show you how flexible the Filipino sentence structure is:
Taga saan ka? |
“Where are you from?” |
Literally: From where you? |
Taga (residence) ako. |
“I am from (residence).” |
Literally: From (residence) I. |
Saan ka nakatira? |
“Where do you live?” |
Literally: Where you live? |
Sa (residence) ako nakatira. |
“I live in (residence).” |
Literally: In (residence) I live. |
While asking someone’s age in other cultures may be considered rude, in the Philippines, it’s okay to do so even when you’ve just met the person. However, you have to time it correctly and wait until the other person seems to have become more comfortable with your conversation. A straightforward way to ask someone their age would be:
Ilang taon ka na? |
“How old are you?” |
Literally: How many years you already? |
Some Filipinos may be taken aback by this, but they will still give you a response if they feel you can be trusted with sensitive information. A less aggressive approach would be to say:
Maaari/Pwede ko bang malaman kung ilang taon ka na? |
“May I know how old you are?” / “Would you mind if I asked your age?” |
Literally: May I know if how many years you already? |
If you’re the one being asked, you could answer with something like this:
Trenta na ako. |
“I am thirty years old.” |
Literally: Thirty already I. |
To express your pleasure of meeting someone, you could say:
Ikinagagalak kong makilala ka. [Formal] |
“It is my pleasure to meet you.” / “It is nice to meet you.” |
Literally: With pleasure I know you. |
And finally, don’t forget the most important Filipino greeting of all:
Mano po. |
Use this phrase when performing the pagmamano gesture. |

Ikinagagalak kong makilala ka. (“It is my pleasure to meet you.”)
- → Here are ten more lines you can use when introducing yourself in Filipino.
How to Address People
An important part of basic Filipino greetings and self-introductions is the proper use of honorifics. Here are the fundamental Filipino honorifics you should be familiar with: