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?

Table of Contents

1. Useful Phrases for Formal Speech and Writing
2. Power Phrases for Resumes
3. Smart Phrases for Business Meetings
4. Advanced Idioms, Sayings, and Proverbs for Everyday Usage
5. 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!

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.

Table of Contents

1. Let’s Talk About the Past!
2. How About the Future?—Making and Changing Plans
3. I’ll Tell You Why—Giving Explanations and Citing Reasons
4. …And Why Not—Making Recommendations and Complaints
5. Talaga! And Various Responses for Everyday Conversations
6. Etiquette Phrases for Social and Business Settings
7. 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!

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.

Table of Contents

1. Greetings and Self-introductions
2. Courtesy Phrases & Social Expressions
3. Dining & Shopping Phrases
4. Asking for Help
5. 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:

Mama

This is a term used to address an older male you’re not acquainted with.

Ale

This is a term used to address an older female you’re not acquainted with.

Kuya

This term means “big brother,” but it’s also used to address a male stranger.

Ate

This term means “big sister,” but it’s also used to address a female stranger.

Ginoo [Formal]

“Mr.”

Ginang [Formal]

“Ms.”

When attached to a name, a linker is used between the title and the name of the person, particularly for the term mama. For instance, “Ice cream man” would be Mamang sorbetero, and “Mr. Supervisor” would be Ginoong Tagapamahala.

2. Courtesy Phrases & Social Expressions

Not only are Filipinos hospitable, but they are also courteous and polite. When in the Philippines, you’ll notice that the people here tend to be very warm and friendly. Be sure to express your own friendliness and politeness by using the following courtesy phrases and social expressions.

Pasok ka.

“Please come in.”

Literally: Enter you.

Pasok po kayo. [Formal]

“Please come in.”

Literally: Enter you all.

Mawalang galang po.

“Excuse me.”

Literally: Without disrespect.

Paumanhin po. / Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo.

“I’m sorry.”

Ipagpatawad po ninyo. / Patawad po.

“Please forgive me.”

Literally: Please pardon you all.

Salamat.

“Thank you.”

Maraming salamat.

“Thank you very much.”

Literally: Many thanks.

Salamat po. [Formal]

“Thank you.”

Walang anuman.

“You’re welcome.”

Literally: It’s nothing.

Pakiusap.

“Please.”

Magkita tayo ulit.

“See you soon.”

Literally: Meet us again.

Kitakits. [Slang]

“See you!”

Hanggang sa muli.

“Until next time.”

Literally: Until the once more.

Ingat.

“Take care.”

Sige!

“Sure!”

Walang anuman.

“You’re welcome.”

Walang problema.

“No problem.”

Paalam!

“Goodbye!”

Pagpalain ka sana.

“I wish you good luck!”

Literally: Be blessed you hopefully.

Binabati kita!

“Congratulations!”

Literally: I am greeting you.

Pasok kayo. (“Please come in.”)

→ Check out this short lesson on basic Filipino manners.

3. Dining & Shopping Phrases

Filipinos love to eat! And shop! That means there are a lot of wonderful places for you to shop and dine during your stay in the Philippines. The following beginner phrases in Tagalog will prove useful whether you’re dining in prestigious restaurants or simply buying something from the sari-sari (“miscellaneous”) store. 

1 – When Dining

Kain tayo.

“Let’s eat.”

Literally: Eat us.

Nagugutom na ako.

“I’m hungry.”

Literally: Hungry already me.

Pwede kong makita ang menu?

“May I see the menu?”

Literally: Allowed I see the menu?

Pwede mo ba akong bigyan ng…

“Could you give me some…”

Literally: Allowed you I give of…

Gusto ko ng…

“I’d like to have…”

Literally: Like I of (something)…

Pahingi ng tubig.

“May I have some water, please?”

Literally: Please give water.

Ang sarap nito!

“This is delicious!”

Literally: Delicious this is!

Busog na ako.

“I’m full.”

Literally: Full already I am.

2 – When Shopping

Magkano po ito?

“How much is this?”

Literally: How much this?

Mayroon ba kayo ng…

“Do you happen to have…”

Literally: There is you have…

Saan banda ang mga panlalaki/pambabae/pambata?

“Where is the men’s/ladies’/kids’ section?”

Literally: Which location is for men/women/kids?

Pwede mo akong kunan ng size 29?

“I’d like a size 29, please.”

Literally: Will you get me a size 29?

Mayroon kayong size 10 ng sapatos na ito?

“Do you have a size 10 for this pair of shoes?”

Literally: Is there you size 10 of shoes that this?

Saan ako pwedeng magbayad para sa mga ito?

“Where can I pay for these items?”

Literally: Where I can pay for all of this?

Magkano lahat ang babayaran ko?

“How much is my bill?” / “How much will I pay altogether?”

Literally: How much all of payment my?

Magkano lahat ang babayaran ko? (“How much will I pay altogether?”)

→ Here’s a list of essential shopping-related vocabulary words in Filipino.

4. Asking for Help

Whether you’re in an emergency or simply want to ask someone to translate a difficult word for you, it’s important to know the exact words to say when asking for help. You’re in good hands in the Philippines because Filipinos are always ready and willing to help without asking anything in return. Arm yourself with these basic Tagalog phrases for travel so you’ll always know how to get help when you need it. 

1 – When Communicating

Marunong ka bang mag-Tagalog?

“Can you speak Tagalog?”

Literally: Knowledgeable you to speak Tagalog?

Nakakaintindi ka ba ng Tagalog?

“Do you understand Tagalog?”

Literally: Can understand you of Tagalog?

Oo, nakakaintindi ako ng Tagalog.

“Yes, I understand Tagalog.”

Literally: Yes, can understand I of Tagalog.

Hindi ako marunong mag-Tagalog.

“I don’t know Tagalog.”

Literally: Cannot I know to speak Tagalog.

Marunong akong mag-Tagalog nang kaunti.

“I know a bit of Tagalog.”

Literally: Knowledgeable I to speak Tagalog a bit.

Hindi ko maintindihan.

“I don’t understand.”

Literally: Do not I understand.

Pakiulit ng sinabi mo.

“Please repeat what you said.”

Literally: Please repeat of what said you.

Ano ang ibig sabihin ng salitang ito?

“What does this word mean?”

Literally: What is desired to say of word this?

2 – When Asking for Directions

Nawawala ako.

“I’m lost.”

Literally: Lost I.

Alam mo ba kung saan banda ang embahada?

“Do you know where the embassy is?”

Literally: Know you if where location of embassy?

Saan po banda ang istasyon ng bus?

“Where is the bus station?”

Literally: Where location the station of bus?

Paano po pumunta sa kalye na ito?

“How do you get to this street?”

Literally: How get to street that this?

Saan ang pinakamalapit na kainan?

“Where is the nearest restaurant?”

Literally: Where the nearest that place to eat?

3 – When in an Emergency

Tulong!

“Help!”

Tulungan ninyo ako!

“Help me!”

Literally: Help you all me!

Pakitulungan niyo po ako!

“Please help me!”

Literally: Please help you all me!

Tumawag kayo ng pulis!

“Call the police!”

Literally: Call you all of police!

Tumawag kayo ng ambulansya!

“Call an ambulance!”

Literally: Call you all of ambulance!

Kailangan ko ng doktor!

“I need a doctor!”

Literally: Need I of doctor!

Paano po pumunta sa kalye na ito? (“How do you get to this street?”)

→ Don’t forget to check out our blog entry about asking for directions in Filipino!

5. Learn Filipino Beginner Phrases and More at FilipinoPod101.com!

So, what did you think of our collection of Tagalog phrases for beginners? If you feel like there are other phrases we should have included on this list, let us know in the comments below. 

If you want to learn more than just basic Filipino phrases for beginners, you can always sign up to become part of the FilipinoPod101 community. Here at FilipinoPod101.com, you can learn the Filipino language in a fun and engaging way. All of our lessons—from the free resources and blog posts, to the audio and video lessons—are designed to meet the needs of learners at all levels.

Looking for a course with lessons tailored to your needs? You can get that with MyTeacher, a Premium PLUS service that grants you the privilege of learning Tagalog with a dedicated Filipino teacher. With this feature, you can enjoy 1-on-1 lessons and receive real-time feedback and guidance.

So, sign up now and get ready to speak Filipino like a native!

The fact that you’re here to master advanced Tagalog words is proof that you’re ready to be as fluent in Filipino as you are in your mother tongue. It also means you’ve been studying Filipino for about a thousand hours already! Yes, according to the Foreign Service Institute, a language like Filipino takes approximately 1100 hours to learn.

What does this step forward mean for you? It means that you’ll be more comfortable producing well-structured sentences regardless of the subject matter. You’ll also have an easier time understanding texts with implicit meaning. Most importantly, you’ll be more confident expressing your ideas spontaneously because you won’t have to grasp for the right words anymore.

In this article, we’ve prepared a list of advanced Tagalog vocabulary words that you can use in the academic field, the business field, the medical field, and even the legal field. Also, we’ve put together a small collection of alternative words you can use to make your writing more vivid and to express yourself better in various situations.

Express yourself with more confidence by learning advanced Tagalog words.

Table of Contents

1. Advanced Academic Words
2. Advanced Business Words
3. Advanced Medical Words
4. Advanced Legal Words
5. Alternative Words to Make an Impression
6. Learn More Advanced Tagalog Words with FilipinoPod101!

1. Advanced Academic Words

The following is a list of advanced Tagalog academic words. The words here are generally acceptable for academic use in the Philippines and may come in handy if you wish to apply to a university in the country. Many of these are high-frequency vocabulary words, which means they don’t have multiple meanings as regular Filipino words do. Others are considered part of a “rich vocabulary,” which means they are finer forms of familiar Tagalog words that may have more than one meaning. And finally, there are some words here that are specific and often found in textbooks and other forms of informational texts.

akademya (noun)	Meaning	Nakapagtapos siya sa akademya noong isang taon.
academy	A place of study in a special field	He graduated from the academy last year.

pangangalap (noun)	Meaning	Mahirap ang kalagayan ng pangangalap ngayong panahon ng pandemya.
recruitment	The act of finding new people to join an organization	The situation of recruitment is difficult during this time of pandemic.

kontrobersiya (noun)	Meaning	Napapaligiran tayo ng mga hamon at kontrobersiya.
controversy	A public discussion involving strong disagreement	Challenges and controversies surround us.

magkaugnay (adjective)	Meaning	Ang isip at ang puso ay lubhang magkaugnay.
related	Belonging to the same group or family	The mind and the heart are closely related.

magkawing (adjective)	Meaning	Ang dalawang ideya na ito ay magkawing.
interlocked / linked	Two things interconnected or locked together	These two ideas are linked together.

pangkalahatan (adverb)	Meaning	Ang mga kasamahan niya sa pangkalahatan ay maaasahan.
generally	In a general manner	His colleagues are generally dependable.

ulat (noun)	Meaning	Huwag basta-basta maniniwala sa mga ulat nila.
report	A written or spoken account regarding an event	Do not easily believe their report.

pahayag (noun)	Meaning	Ito ang nakasulat sa kanyang pahayag.
article	A piece of writing included in publications	This is what was written in her article.

paksa (noun)	Meaning	Iyon daw ang pinakamagandang na nabasa ni Lisa hinggil sa paksa.
topic	The matter being dealt with in a text or discourse	It was the best Lisa had read on the subject, according to her.

sanhi (noun)	Meaning	Ano ang sanhi ng kanyang biglaang pagkamatay?
cause	A person or thing that gives rise to a certain condition	What was the cause of his sudden demise?

kataliwasan (noun)	Meaning	Lahat ng tuntunin ay may kataliwasan.
exception	Something that is not included	All rules have an exception.

unibersidad (noun)	Meaning	Nagtapos siya sa isang prestihiyosong unibersidad.
university	An institution of higher learning	He graduated from a prestigious university.

pagpipilian (noun)	Meaning	Maraming pwedeng pagpilian sa mga produkto niya.
option	Something that may be chosen	There are many options from (among) her products.

dalas (noun)	Meaning	Pinahalagahan ni Ted ang dalas ng pagdalaw ni Diane.
frequency	The rate at which something occurs	Ted appreciated the frequency of Diane’s visits.

porsyento (noun)	Meaning	Malaking porsyento ang nabawas sa kita niya.
percent / percentage	An amount that is the proportion of a larger whole	A large percentage was deducted from his income.

Nagtapos siya sa isang prestihiyosong unibersidad. (“He graduated from a prestigious university.”)

→ Be sure to check our list of Essential Vocabulary for Talking About Education in Filipino.

halimbawa (noun)	Meaning	Kaunti lang ang naibigay niya na mga halimbawa.
example	A written exercise for illustrating a rule	She was only able to give a few examples.

taya (noun)	Meaning	Ayon sa taya ng mga dalubhasa, ang krisis na ito ay hindi magtatapos sa lalong madaling panahon.
estimate	An approximate calculation of the value of something	According to the estimates of experts, this crisis is not going to end soon.

suma (noun)	Meaning	Nagulat siya sa suma ng kanyang dapat bayaran.
sum	The total resulting from the addition of two or more numbers	He was surprised at the sum of the amount he had to pay.

saklaw (noun)	Meaning	Limitado ang saklaw ng kanilang artikulo.
range / scope	The extent included or covered	Their article was limited in scope.

larangan (noun)	Meaning	Sabik si Sheldon gumawa ng pangalan para sa kanyang sarili sa larangan ng pisika.
domain / field	A field of knowledge	Sheldon was eager to make a name for himself in the field of physics.

mungkahi (noun)	Meaning	Nakinig siya sa mungkahi ng kanyang guro.
recommendation / suggestion	An idea put forth for consideration	She listened to her teacher’s suggestion.

palabaybayan (noun)	Meaning	Mahina si Raul sa palabaybayan.
spelling	The accepted forming of words from letters	Raul is not that good at spelling.

proyekto (noun)	Meaning	Natapos ang proyekto makalipas lamang ang tatlong buwan.
project	A planned undertaking designed for achieving a particular goal	The project was completed after only three months.

tagumpay (noun)	Meaning	Nakamit niya ang matagal nang inaasam na tagumpay.
success	The desired outcome of an undertaking or accomplishment of a purpose	He finally achieved the long-awaited success.

punong-guro (noun)	Meaning	Binisita ni Dan ang punong-guro na si Mrs. Zamora.
head teacher / principal	The chief executive officer or director of an educational institution	Dan visited Mrs. Zamora, the principal.

kwalipikado (adjective)	Meaning	Hindi siya kwalipikadong magtrabaho.
qualified	A person recognized as having the quality to perform a particular job	He was not qualified to work.

talata (noun)	Meaning	Basahing mabuti ang talata bago sagutin ang mga katanungan.
paragraph	A series of sentences dealing with a topic	Read the paragraph carefully before answering the questions.

talaan (noun)	Meaning	Hindi mahanap ni Elsa ang talaan ng mga kailangan niyang gawin.
list / record	A piece of paper used for recordkeeping	Elsa could not find the list of things she needed to do.

paraan (noun)	Meaning	Wala nang mas mainam na paraan kaysa dito.
method	A systematic procedure for accomplishing something	There is no better method than this.

ranggo (noun)	Meaning	Mataas na ang ranggo niya sa hukbo.
rank	A position in a hierarchy, especially of the armed forces	He had a high rank in the army.

lagda (noun)	Meaning	Kailangan ang iyong lagda sa mga papeles na ito.
signature	A person’s name written with his or her own hand	Your signature is needed on these papers.

takdang-aralin (noun)	Meaning	Ayaw niyang gawin ang kanyang takdang-aralin.
homework	Schoolwork required to be done at home	He doesn’t want to do his homework.

pananaliksik (noun)	Meaning	Ang pananaliksik ay pinamunuan ni Dr. Gomez.
research	A systematic investigation aimed at the establishment of facts	The research was headed by Dr. Gomez.

pagsusulit (noun)	Meaning	Kailangan nilang makapasa sa pagsusulit.
exam	A formal test of a person’s knowledge regarding a particular subject	They need to pass the exam.

Nakinig siya sa mungkahi ng kaniyang doktor. (“She listened to her doctor’s recommendation.”)

→ Don’t miss this list of Tagalog Words and Expressions to Help You in an Emergency.

asignatura (noun)	Meaning	Kalaunan, naging malinaw ang mga mahihirap na asignatura para kay Alfonso.
subject	A branch of knowledge taught in academic institutions	The difficult subjects eventually became clearer to Alfonso.

kaalaman (noun)	Meaning	Ang pag-aalaga ng mga bata ay nangangailangan ng higit pa sa iyong sariling kaalaman.
knowledge	Information acquired by an individual through education or experience	Rearing children needs more than your own knowledge.

talakayan (noun)	Meaning	Ang koponan ay nagkaroon ng isang mahabang talakayan.
discussion	A conversation regarding a certain topic	The team had a lengthy discussion.

paglilinang (noun)	Meaning	Ang lupa ay sumailalim sa isang mahirap na proseso ng paglilinang.
cultivation	The act of cultivating	The land underwent a difficult process of cultivation.

pagsasalaysay (noun)	Meaning	Walang nakinig sa kaniyang pagsasalaysay.
narration	The process of narrating a story	No one listened to his narration.

dalubhasa (noun)	Meaning	Siya ay dalubhasa sa usapin ng politika.
expert	A person who has authoritative knowledge and skill in a particular area	He was an expert in matters of politics.

2. Advanced Business Words

As you become more advanced in Tagalog, you might start considering a job or career in the Philippines. The words below will help you make a solid impression and succeed in your chosen field, wherever your dreams take you. 

negosyo (noun)	Meaning	Nakapagsimula siya ng sariling negosyo sa murang edad na dalawampu’t apat.
business	A commercial operation	He was able to start his own business at the young age of twenty-four.

salapi (noun)	Meaning	Ang proyekto ay nangangailangan ng malaking halaga ng salapi.
money	A medium of exchange used for payment	The project requires a large amount of money.

tubo (noun)	Meaning	Hindi niya inasahan ang ganoon kalaking tubo.
profit	A financial gain	He didn’t expect such a huge profit.

buwis (noun)	Meaning	Palagi niyang binabayaran ang kanyang buwis.
tax	An obligatory contribution to state revenue	He paid his taxes regularly.

samahan (noun)	Meaning	Si Arnel na ang bagong pinuno ng kanilang samahan.
organization	An organized body of people with a specific aim or purpose	Arnel is the new leader of their organization.

propesyon (noun)	Meaning	Tanong ni Dan, “Ano ang pinakamahusay na propesyon para sa akin?”
profession	A paid occupation	Dan asked, “What is the best profession for me?”

propesyonal (noun)	Meaning	Isa nang propesyonal na basketbolista si Marlou.
professional	A person engaged in a learned profession	Marlou is now a professional basketball player.

kumpanya (noun)	Meaning	Ipinamana sa akin ni Papa ang kanyang kumpanya.
company	A commercial organization	Dad bequeathed his company to me.

dokumento (noun)	Meaning	Nabigo siyang isumite ang mga dokumento.
document	A piece of writing conveying important information	He failed to submit the documents.

papeles (noun)	Meaning	Natambakan si Karla ng mga papeles sa opisina.
paperwork	Routine recordkeeping work involving documents	Karla was overwhelmed with paperwork in the office.

tagapamahala (noun)	Meaning	Nawalan sila ng magaling na tagapamahala.
supervisor	An administrative officer in charge of a business operation	They lost a great supervisor.

pagpupulong (noun)	Meaning	Dumalo silang lahat sa pagpupulong.
meeting	An assembly of organization members for discussion	They all attended the meeting.

promosyon (noun)	Meaning	Nakuha ni Roger ang promosyon noong nakaraang linggo.
promotion	The act of being raised in rank or position	Roger got the promotion last week.

Natambakan si Ben ng mga papeles sa opisina. (“He was overwhelmed with paperwork in the office.”)

→ Have you seen our list of the most common Office-Related Words in Filipino?

pag-aari (noun)	Meaning	Ibinenta niya ang lahat ng kanyang pag-aari at bumalik sa sariling bansa.
asset	The property of a person	He sold all his assets and returned to his country.

nalugi (verb)	Meaning	Muntik na siyang malugi.
bankrupt / suffered loss	To be reduced to bankruptcy	He almost went bankrupt.

kita (noun)	Meaning	Malaki ang kita sa negosyong ito.
earning	Money obtained in return for offering a product or service	The profit in this business is considerable.

diskarte (noun)	Meaning	Anong diskarte ang ginamit mo para sa pagpapaunlad ng iyong kumpanya?
strategy	A careful method or plan	What strategy did you use for growing your company?

kasunduan (noun)	Meaning	Naging matagumpay ang nangyaring kasunduan.
negotiation	A discussion aimed at reaching an agreement	The negotiations were successful.

ahente (noun)	Meaning	Si Joey ay mapagkakatiwalaang ahente.
agent	One authorized to act in the place of another	Joey is a trustworthy agent.

kontrata (noun)	Meaning	Pumirma siya ng bagong kontrata sa kumpanya.
contract	A binding agreement between two or more parties	He signed a new contract with the company.

kalakal (noun)	Meaning	Hindi madali ang paghakot ng mga kalakal sa ganitong panahon.
goods	Commodities sold in a business	Transporting goods is not easy during these times.

produkto (noun)	Meaning	Natatangi ang kanilang mga produkto.
product	Anything manufactured for sale	Their products are unique.

taghirap (noun)	Meaning	Ngayon ay panahon ng taghirap para sa maraming tao.
economic difficulty	A period of economic decline	These are difficult times for a lot of people.

industriya (noun)	Meaning	Nasa isang dekada na sila sa industriya.
industry	A group of profit-making enterprises	They have been in the industry for a decade now.

puhunan (noun)	Meaning	Ang negosyong ito ay nangangailangan ng isang malaking puhunan.
capital	Money used for starting a business	This business requires huge capital.

→ Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with these Must-Know Business Words and Phrases in Tagalog.

3. Advanced Medical Words

Below are several medical words in Filipino for advanced learners. You’ll find these terms useful whether you plan to study medicine in the Philippines or have an upcoming doctor’s appointment. 

pagamutan (noun)	Meaning	Halos dalawang buwan din siya sa pagamutan.
hospital	An institution providing medical care	He was confined to the hospital for almost two months.

impeksyon (noun)	Meaning	Gumaling na ang impeksyon na dulot ng kanyang sugat.
infection	The process or state of being infected	The infection caused by his wound has healed.

dugo (noun)	Meaning	Kinailangan ni Jane magpasalin ng dugo.
blood	Body fluid in humans and animals that transports oxygen and nutrients throughout the body via the circulatory system	Jane had to have a blood transfusion.

nalapnos (verb)	Meaning	Nalapnos ang malaking bahagi ng kanyang balat dahil sa sunog.
peeled off	The process of the skin being peeled off due to extreme heat	A large part of his skin was peeled off as a result of the fire.

bakuna (noun)	Meaning	Tumulong sila sa pagbibigay ng bakuna sa daan-daang katao.
vaccine	A substance used to stimulate antibodies for the purpose of providing immunity against sickness	They helped give the vaccine to hundreds of people.

duwal (verb)	Meaning	Ang kanyang pagsusuka ay sinusundan ng isang pakiramdam ng labis na pagduwal.
nausea	The sensation of wanting to vomit	His vomiting was followed by a feeling of extreme nausea.

plema (noun)	Meaning	Ang paghinga ng tuyong hangin ay maaaring maging sanhi ng pamumuo ng plema sa baga.
phlegm	A viscous substance secreted by the mucous membrane	Breathing in arid air can cause a buildup of phlegm in the lungs.

pigsa (noun)	Meaning	Isang misteryosong karamdaman ang nagbalot sa kanyang katawan ng mga pigsa.
a boil on the skin	An inflamed swelling on the skin	A mysterious illness enveloped his body with boils.

sipon (noun)	Meaning	Huwag kang magpaulan at uso na naman ang sipon ngayon.
common cold	A viral infection of the upper respiratory tract	Don’t get yourself wet in the rain as it’s the cold season already.

bukol (noun)	Meaning	May nakapang maliit na bukol si Nora sa kanyang likod.
lump or tumor	A localized area of swelling in any part of the body	Nora felt a small lump on her back.

virus (noun)	Meaning	Hindi siya nahawa ng virus.
virus	An infectious agent of small size and composition that causes illness or disease	He was not infected with the virus.

ubo (noun)	Meaning	Gumaling na ang matinding ubo ni ate.
cough	A sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that serves as the body’s natural mechanism of clearing the air passages	My sister’s severe cough has healed.

katarata (noun)	Meaning	Inoperahan siya dahil sa katarata.
cataract	An eye condition that gradually causes the lens of the eyes to become opaque	He was operated on for cataracts.

binat (noun)	Meaning	Manatili ka sa kama para hindi ka mabinat.
relapse	A deterioration in someone’s health after a temporary improvement	Stay in bed so you won’t have a relapse.

benda (noun)	Meaning	Binalot nila ng benda ang kamay niyang nasugatan.
bandage	A strip of cloth used to bind an injured part of the body	They wrapped his injured hand with a bandage.

gamot (noun)	Meaning	Kailangan kong mag-imbak ng mga gamot para sa hika.
medicine	A compound used for the prevention or treatment of an illness	I need to stock up on asthma medications.

sintomas (noun)	Meaning	Unti-unting nawala ang mga sintomas niya.
symptom	A manifestation of an underlying sickness	His symptoms gradually disappeared.

buntis (adjective)	Meaning	Nagalak silang malaman na buntis si Laura.
pregnant	Having a child developing in the uterus	They were excited to learn that Laura was pregnant.

impatso (noun)	Meaning	Ang tsaa ay mabuti para sa impatso.
indigestion	A difficulty in digesting food	Tea is good for indigestion.

bituka (noun)	Meaning	May sakit siya sa bituka.
intestine	The tubular part of the digestive tract connecting the stomach and the anus	He has a disease in the intestines.

kombulsyon (noun)	Meaning	Huwag maglagay ng anuman sa bibig ng iyong anak para subukang pigilin ang kombulsyon.
convulsion	A sudden violent, often involuntary, movement of the body	Never put anything in your child’s mouth to try to stop the convulsion.

turok (noun)	Meaning	Ang mga turok ng insulin ay tumutulong na makontrol ang antas ng glucose sa dugo.
injection	A thing being injected into the body as a form of medical treatment	Insulin shots help regulate blood glucose levels.

butlig (noun)	Meaning	Tinubuan ng makati at mahapding butlig ang braso ni Karen.
rash	An area of redness and slight swelling on the skin	An itchy, burning rash developed on Karen’s arm.

Tanging ang bakuna na lamang na ito ang makakatulong sa kanya. (“Only this vaccine will be able to help him now.”)

pulikat (noun)	Meaning	Nagkaroon siya ng pulikat habang tumatakbo.
cramp	A painful, involuntary muscle contraction	He had a cramp while running.

kirot (noun)	Meaning	Nakaramdam siya ng kirot sa kanang bahagi ng kanyang tiyan.
sharp pain	A sudden, intense spike of localized pain	He felt pain in his right abdomen.

manggagamot (noun)	Meaning	Sa wakas! Nakahanap din sila ng magaling na manggagamot.
doctor	One who is qualified to practice medicine	Finally! They were able to find a good doctor.

reseta (noun)	Meaning	Nakalimutan niya ang reseta niya sa bahay.
medical prescription	A written instruction by a doctor authorizing a patient to be provided medicine	He forgot his prescription at home.

trangkaso (noun)	Meaning	Hindi siya nakalabas nang dahil sa trangkaso.
flu	A contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages	He was not able to leave because of the flu.

operasyon (noun)	Meaning	Bukas nakatakda ang kanyang operasyon.
operation	Surgery performed on a patient	His operation is scheduled for tomorrow.

pangunahing lunas (noun)	Meaning	Sa Red Cross Club natutunan ni Lea kung paano magbigay ng pangunahing lunas.
first aid	Initial help given to an injured person	Lea learned how to apply first aid at the Red Cross Club.

4. Advanced Legal Words

Whether you’re preparing for law school in the Philippines, want to learn more about the Philippine judicial system, or find yourself in the middle of an unfortunate misunderstanding, these advanced Filipino words will prove useful. 

abogado (noun)	Meaning	Si Rommel ay isang magaling na abogado.
lawyer	A person qualified to practice law	Rommel is a great lawyer.

naabswelto (verb)	Meaning	Naabswelto siya dahil napatunayan na wala siyang sala.
acquit	To free someone of a criminal charge	He was acquitted because he was found to be innocent.

akusado (noun)	Meaning	Pinalaya nang pansamantala ang akusado.
defendant / accused	An individual or company accused in a court of law	The accused was briefly released.

alegasyon (noun)	Meaning	Hindi totoo ang kanilang mga alegasyon.
allegation	An assertion that a person has done something illegal	Their allegations were false.

areglo (noun)	Meaning	Ang kumpanya ay nagbayad ng humigit-kumulang isang milyon sa mga multa at areglo.
settlement / compromise	An official agreement made to resolve a dispute	The company paid approximately one million in fines and settlements.

asunto (noun)	Meaning	Limang asunto ang naihain laban kay Edgar.
lawsuit / case	Legal action to be decided in a court of law	Five lawsuits had reportedly been filed against Edgar.

benepisyaryo (noun)	Meaning	Tatlong benepisyaryo ang naghihintay sa kanya.
beneficiary	A person receiving a benefit or advantage from something	Three beneficiaries are waiting for him.

kapabayaan (noun)	Meaning	Ang kapabayaan sa mga anak ay maaaring humantong sa malaking problema ng pamilya.
negligence	Failure to take proper care of someone or something	Neglect of children can lead to serious domestic problems.

kapatawaran (noun)	Meaning	Nakatanggap siya ng kapatawaran para sa kanyang mga krimen.
pardon	The remission of legal consequences of a conviction	He received pardon for his crimes.

karapatang-pantao (noun)	Meaning	Ang ginawa nila ay labag sa karapatang-pantao.
human rights	Fundamental rights belonging to a human being	What they did was a human rights violation.

kasabwat (noun)	Meaning	Nahuli ang kasabwat ni Cardo sa krimen.
accomplice	A person associated with another in performing a crime	Cardo’s accomplice was caught.

kolateral (noun)	Meaning	Inilagay niya ang kanyang tindahan bilang kolateral upang makalikom ng pera.
collateral	Property pledged by a borrower to protect the lender	She put up her store as collateral to raise the money.

kaso (noun)	Meaning	Pagkalipas ng sampung taon, muling binuksan ang kaso.
case	Legal action to be decided in a court of law	After ten years, the case was reopened.

kustodiya (noun)	Meaning	Si Jane ay inilagay sa kustodiya ng kanyang ina.
custody	An immediate charge exercised by a person	Jane was placed under her mother’s custody.

danyos (noun)	Meaning	Nagbayad siya ng dalawang milyong piso bilang danyos sa pamilya ng biktima.
damages	Monetary compensation imposed by law for injury or loss	He paid two million pesos in damages to the victim’s family.

magdemanda (verb)	Meaning	Napilitan siyang magdemanda laban sa kanyang amo.
to sue / to file a lawsuit	A process by which a legal court makes a decision to settle a dispute	He was forced to file a lawsuit against his boss.

depensa (noun)	Meaning	Mahina ang naging depensa niya sa kaso.
defense	A challenge against allegations proposed regarding a criminal action	His defense in the case was weak.

desisyon (noun)	Meaning	Kailangan maihain ang desisyon ng korte bago pa matapos ang araw.
verdict	The decision of a jury on an issue in a criminal case	The court’s verdict must be filed before the end of the day.

ebidensya (noun)	Meaning	Nasa kanila ang lahat ng ebidensya na kailangan nila.
evidence	Information used to establish facts in a legal investigation	They have all the evidence they need.

hatol (noun)	Meaning	Ang kanyang hatol ay habambuhay na pagkakulong.
sentence	The punishment assigned to an individual found guilty by a court	His sentence was life in prison.

Ang dalawang bata ay inilagay sa kustodiya ng kanilang ina. (“The two children were placed in the custody of their mother.”)

hukom (noun)	Meaning	Bihira ka lang makahanap ng mabuting hukom.
judge	A public official who decides cases in a court of law	You rarely find a good judge.

lisensya (noun)	Meaning	Ang kanyang lisensya ay nakumpiska dahil sa isang paglabag.
license	A permit issued by authority to do a particular thing or to own and use something	His license was confiscated due to a violation.

litigasyon (noun)	Meaning	Nagawa nilang makaiwas sa litigasyon.
litigation	The process of settling a dispute in a court of law	They were able to avoid litigation.

maysala (noun)	Meaning	Ayaw makipagtulungan ng biktima sa maysala.
guilty / offender	A person justly chargeable with a crime	The victim refused to cooperate with the offender.

motibo (noun)	Meaning	Inaalam pa rin ang motibo sa krimen.
motive	A reason for doing something	The motive for the crime is still being determined.

multa (noun)	Meaning	Malaki ang multa sa paglabag ng batas na ito.
fine	Money exacted by authority as a penalty for breaking the law	There are large fines for violating this law.

nasasakdal (noun)	Meaning	Tinanggihan ng hukuman ang katwiran ng nasasakdal.
plaintiff	One who brings a case against another in a court of law	The court rejected the plaintiff’s argument.

paglilitis (noun)	Meaning	Mabilis natapos ang paglilitis.
trial	The formal examination of the facts of a case before a competent tribunal	The trial ended quickly.

5. Alternative Words to Make an Impression

Whether you’re taking a Tagalog proficiency exam, writing an essay for school, or giving an oral presentation, one way you can make an impression is by showcasing a broad selection of stellar vocabulary. In this section, we present to you a list of Filipino adverbs, verbs, conjunctions, prepositions, and other words you can use as more compelling alternatives to simpler words. 

1 – Alternative Adverbs

tama	wasto	Gamitin ng wasto ang iyong kaalaman.
correctly	correctly	Use your knowledge correctly.

espesyal	natatangi	Siya ay isang natatanging musikero.
uniquely	uniquely	He is a uniquely talented musician.

magkahiwalay	magkabukod	Magkabukod silang dumating.
separately	separately	They arrived separately.

talaga	sadya	Sadyang mabilis magsalita si Aristotle.
very	simply	Aristotle simply talks fast.

kaunti	bahagya	Ibinaba niya ng bahagya ang bintana ng kotse.
slightly	slightly	She slightly lowered the window of her car.

doon	sa dako roon	Sa dako roon ay maraming tubig.
over there	over there	There is a lot of water over there.

kahit saan	sa lahat ng dako	Mayroong mga paalala ng kaligtasan sa lahat ng dako.
everywhere	everywhere	There are safety reminders everywhere.

mabilis	matulin	Tumakbo siya nang matulin para mahabol ang bus.
fast	fast	He ran fast to catch the bus.

dahan-dahan	banayad	Banayad na umihip ang hangin sa mukha ni Mandy.
slowly	softly / gently	The wind blew lightly on Mandy’s face.

malapit na	sa lalong madaling panahon	Malalaman nila ang katotohanan sa lalong madaling panahon.
soon	soon	They will know the truth soon.

kaagad	kagyat	Ang iyong mungkahi ay maaaring kagyat na makaantig ng interes.
immediately	immediately	Your proposal may arouse immediate interest.

hindi masyado	bahagya	Ang mga petsa ay magkaiba nang bahagya.
barely	a little	The dates vary a little.

kamuntik	halos	Naaalala niya kahit pagkalipas ng halos isang dekada.
almost	almost	She remembers even after almost a decade.

palagi	pirme	Pirme niyang pinagmamasdan ang larawan ng asawa.
always	constantly	He constantly looked at his wife’s picture.

kadalasan	karaniwan	Karaniwan ay wala siyang imik.
usually	usually	He is usually silent.

hinding-hindi	hindi kailanman	Ang pag-ibig ko sa’yo ay hindi kailanman magbabago.
never	never	My love for you will never change.

2 – Alternative Verbs

inabuso	minaltrato	Naalala niya kung paano siya minaltrato ng kanyang asawa.
abused	mistreated	He remembers how his wife mistreated him.

pinatay	kinitilan ng buhay	Limang katao ang kinitilan ng buhay sa trahedyang naganap.
killed	killed	Five people were killed in the tragedy.

magnakaw	mandambong	Sinamantala niya ang sitwasyon upang mandambong at manloob.
to steal	to plunder	He took advantage of the situation to plunder and loot.

kumilos	umayos	Umayos kang kagalang-galang.
to act	to act	Act like a gentleman.

umalis	lumisan	Huwag kang lumisan nang basta-basta.
to leave	to leave	Don’t just leave.

kantahin	awitin	Awitin natin ang paborito mong kanta.
to sing	to sing	Let’s sing your favorite song.

namatay	pumanaw	Pumanaw ang matalik mong kaibigan.
died	passed away	Your best friend has passed away.

umiwas	lumayo	Lumayo ka sa masamang impluwensya upang hindi ka mapahamak.
to avoid	to flee	Stay away from bad influences so you won’t get in trouble.

nasira	napinsala	Dalawampu’t-dalawang bahay ang napinsala ng bagyo.
broken	damaged	Twenty-two houses were damaged by the typhoon.

sumali	umanib	Umanib sila sa hari.
to join	to enlist / to be allies with	They allied themselves with the king.

bumisita	dumalaw	Dumalaw ka sa amin palagi.
to visit	to visit	Come and visit us always.

nakatira	nananahan	Nananahan kami nang matiwasay bago sila dumating.
living	dwelling	We were dwelling in the land peacefully before they arrived.

gustuhin	hangarin	Hangarin mo na maging katulad niya.
to want	to aspire	Go and aspire to be like him.

magtago	magkimkim	Mahirap magkimkim ng sama ng loob.
to hide	to harbor	It is difficult to harbor resentment.

sinayang	nilustay	Nilustay niya ang pera ng kanyang ama.
wasted	squandered	He squandered his father’s money.

isinaksak	itinarak	Itinarak niya ang tabak sa lupang tigang.
stabbed	thrusted	He thrusted his sword into the parched ground.

itinayo	itinatag	Itinatag niya ang kumpanya para makatulong sa mga mahihirap.
built	established	He established the company to help the poor.

ikutin	pihitin	Pilit mang pihitin ang busol ay hindi niya mabuksan ang pinto.
to rotate	to twist	Even if he tried to turn the knob, he could not open the door.

3 – Alternative Conjunctions

dahil	sapagkat	Huwag kang matakot sapagkat ako’y naririto.
because	for	Do not be afraid, for I am here.

pero	datapuwat	Ang sabi niya ay mahal niya ako. Datapuwat, kailangan niyang lumayo.
but	however	He said he loves me. However, he had to stay away for a while.

kahit	bagaman	Bagaman wais, hindi matalino si Lumen.
even though	although	Although clever, Lumen was not that intelligent.

kahit na	gayunman/gayunpaman	Hindi ako mayaman. Gayunpaman, alam kong magtatagumpay ako.
even though	nevertheless	I am not rich. Nevertheless, I know I will succeed.

ngunit	subalit	Bulag si Sabel, subalit nakikilala niya ang tinig ko.
but	however	Sabel is blind, but she recognizes my voice.

kahit ano	anuman	Anuman ang sabihin nila, susuportahan pa rin kita.
whatever	whatever	Whatever they say, I will still support you.

kaya	dahil diyan	Wala siya dito. Dahil diyan, iminumungkahi ko na bumalik ka bukas.
so	therefore	He is not here. Therefore, I suggest you come back tomorrow.

para	upang	Kailangan mong magtrabaho upang makaraos.
so that	to	You have to work to survive.

kung kaya	anupa’t (ano pa at)	Mabagal siyang kumilos. Anupa’t hindi niya sila naabutan.
that is why	therefore	He moved very slowly. Therefore, he was not able to catch up with them.

imbes	bagkus; sa halip	Hindi lamang ito isang laro, bagkus ito ay buhay ko.
instead	rather	This is not just a game; rather, it is my life.

kung	kapag	Kapag nahanap mo ang tamang daan, huwag ka nang lilingon pa.
if	once	Once you find the right path, do not ever look back.

4 – Alternative Prepositions

tungkol	ukol	Ano ang pananaw mo ukol sa sitwasyong ito?
about	on	What is your view on this situation?

laban sa	labag sa	Labag sa kalooban niya ang nangyari.
against	against	What happened was against his will.

ayon sa	alinsunod sa	Alinsunod sa patakaran ng paaralan, kailangan masuspende ng mag-aaral.
according to	in accordance with	In accordance with school policy, the student must be suspended.

sa tabi	sa piling	Ang gusto ko ay palagi kang nasa piling ko.
beside	with	I want you to always be with me.

iyan	yaon	Yaon ang sabi niya kay Sebastian.
that	that	That’s what he told Sebastian.

Awitin natin ang paborito mong kanta! (“Let’s sing your favorite song!”)

Learn More Advanced Tagalog Words with FilipinoPod101!

There you have it: our list of advanced Tagalog words! This is not an exhaustive list, so if you feel like we missed any good words you know, please share with us in the comments! 

We know that you’re excited to apply what you’ve learned here, but you also probably know that this is not the end of your Filipino learning journey. There is still so much more to learn, not only about the language but also about the culture of the Philippines. That’s where FilipinoPod101 comes in.

At FilipinoPod101, you can expand your vocabulary and refine your grammar skills with the help of various free resources, blog posts, word banks, and more! FilipinoPod101 employs an innovative approach to helping students learn Filipino, so you can rest assured that all the lessons are unique and dynamic. Not to mention that you can have lessons tailored to your needs, as well. All that via our MyTeacher service. Go ahead and sign up now!

Hearing the phone ring can be exciting, especially when we’re expecting to receive some good news. However, for people in a foreign country who are still learning the language, the experience might not be so thrilling. 

This is especially true in professional settings. Imagine being the only one in the room when the phone suddenly rings, and you’re not even sure how to say “hello” in Tagalog—let alone put together any useful Filipino phone call phrases! How terrifying would that be?

I know. I’m just exaggerating. But you get my point. Not knowing what to say when answering the phone can be stressful (not to mention awkward).

But you can rest your worries here. In this post, you’ll learn the essential Tagalog phone call phrases for a variety of situations. This list should give you the confidence to make calls or answer the phone in Tagalog, as well as help make your phone conversations less awkward.

Me: Excited to call my friend in the middle of the night to practice Tagalog phone call phrases I’ve just learned.

Table of Contents

1. The Opening Line
2. Introducing Yourself
3. Stating Your Reason for Calling
4. Asking to Speak to Someone
5. Asking Someone to Wait
6. Leaving a Message
7. Asking for Clarification
8. Ending the Phone Call
9. Sample Phone Conversations
10. Learn More Than Just Phone Call Phrases with FilipinoPod101!

1. The Opening Line

The Philippines ranks high in terms of business English, so it’s not unusual for phone calls here to be made or answered using English phrases in both professional and informal settings. Nevertheless, it’s still useful to know how to say these phrases in Tagalog. In the Philippines, we make phone calls the same way that people in most countries do—starting with a “hello.”

In informal situations, a common way to answer the phone in Tagalog is:

• Hello, sino ‘to? (“Hello, may I know who this is?”)

The word “hello” in Tagalog is kumusta. In some cultures, it’s common for the words used in telephone greetings to differ from those used in real life. But in the Philippines, we greet one another with kumusta both over the phone and in person. You’ll learn more about this in our entry How to Say Hello in Tagalog.

1 – When you’re the one calling…

• Hello. Kumusta? (“Hello. How are you?”)
• Hello. Magandang araw / umaga / hapon / gabi. (“Hello. Good day / morning / afternoon / evening.”)

You can follow this up with:

• Pwede ko bang makausap si… (“May I speak with…”)
• Nandiyan ba si… (“Is [name] available?”)
• Gusto ko sanang makausap si… (“I would like to speak with…”)

These initial greetings can be used in both formal and informal situations.

2 – When you’re the one receiving the call…

Informal

There are a couple of ways to answer the phone in casual settings:

• Hello. Kumusta din po? (“Hello. How are you, too?”)
• Hello. Magandang araw / umaga / hapon / gabi. (“Hello. Good day / morning / afternoon / evening.”)
• Hello. Sino ‘to? (“Hello. Who’s this?”)

You can then wait for the person to express their reason for calling or go ahead and ask them their reason for making the call.

Formal

As mentioned, answering the phone in professional settings is normally done using the English language or a combination of English and Filipino. While someone may use Tagalog or a dialect to answer the phone in formal settings, English is used in very formal settings like in hotels or high-end restaurants. In most cases, you’ll hear a combination of English and Filipino, such as in the following examples:

• Hello. Magandang araw / umaga / hapon / gabi. (“Hello. Good day / morning / afternoon / evening.”)
• Maaari ko bang malaman kung sino ang tumatawag? (“May I know who’s calling, please?”)
• I.T. Department. Magandang araw! (“I.T. Department. Good day!”)
• ABC Company. Magandang araw! (“ABC Company. Good morning!”)

2. Introducing Yourself

When making or taking a phone call in Tagalog, you’ll need to give a brief introduction at some point after the greeting. Let’s take a look at the nuances of introducing yourself as the caller versus as the receiver. 

1 – When making the call…

Informal

• ‘Tol, si Edwin ito. (“Bro, it’s me, Edwin.”) 

The word ‘tol is a contraction of the word utol, which is slang for “brother” or “sister.” The usage of this term is common between very close friends, particularly males. Here are other examples:

• Pare, si Rudy ito. Naaalala mo pa ako? (“Bro, it’s Rudy. Still remember me?”)

The term pare is short for kumpare, which was borrowed from the Spanish word compadre, which refers to a male friend. The female version is mare, short for kumare.

• Ate Lorie, ako ito, si Rowena. (“Ate Lorie, it’s me, Rowena.”)

The word ate here is a term used to address an elder sister. It can also be used to refer to any female relative, friend, or even stranger, who is older than the speaker. For males, the term is kuya.

• Itay, si Mark po ito. (“Dad, it’s Mark.”)

Formal

The main difference between introducing yourself in a formal scenario and an informal one is that in a formal setting, you often need to state your full name or family name. In most cases, the word po, which indicates politeness, is also necessary. Consider these examples:

• Ako po pala si Edwin Marquez. (“I’m Edwin Marquez, by the way.”)
• Si Mr. Marquez itong tumatawag. (“It’s Mr. Marquez calling.”)

Speaking of politeness, here’s a quick lesson about Filipino manners.

Pare, si Rudy ito. Baka pwede mo ako pasahan ng load.
(“Hey bro, it’s Rudy. Perhaps you could send me some mobile credits?”)

2 – When receiving a call…

In informal settings, the receiver of the call doesn’t usually have to introduce themselves unless asked to do so by the person calling.

Formal

In more formal settings, such as in the workplace, the appropriate way to answer a phone call would be with a “hello” followed by “May I know who’s calling, please?” or “Thanks for calling [name of company], it’s [name] speaking.”

In Tagalog, that would sound something like:

• Magandang araw. Maraming salamat sa pagtawag. Ito po si [name]. Ano po ang aking maipaglilingkod? (“Good day. Thank you so much for calling. This is [name]. What can I do for you?”)

• Magandang umaga / hapon. Si Shirley po ito. Bakit po sila napatawag? (“Good morning / afternoon. This is Shirley. May I know the purpose of your call?”)

Have you learned how to properly introduce yourself yet? Check out our entry on self-introductions and learn the different ways you can introduce yourself in Filipino!

3. Stating Your Reason for Calling

Depending on the nature of your call, there are different phrases you can use to let the other person know why you’re calling. 

Informal

Informal calls usually involve friends checking up on each other or inviting each other out for an activity.

• Gusto lang kitang kamustahin. (“I just want to check on you.”)
• Yayayain sana kita sa laro namin bukas. (“I wanted to invite you to our game tomorrow.”)

Formal

Meanwhile, formal calls often involve inquiries about a product/service or setting up an appointment with a client.

• Tumawag ako para pag-usapan yung… (“I called to talk about the…”) 
• Tumawag ako tungkol sa… (“I’m calling regarding the…”)
• Ako yung tumawag kanina. (“I was the one who called earlier.”)
• Gusto ko sanang mag-set ng meeting kay… (“I’d like to set a meeting with…”)
• May gusto akong itanong tungkol sa produkto / serbisyo na binibigay ninyo. (“I’d like to ask some questions regarding a product / service you’re offering.”)

May gusto sana akong itanong tungkol sa binenta niyong laptop sa akin. Ayaw mag-on.
(“I’d like to ask something regarding the laptop you sold me. It won’t boot up.”)

4. Asking to Speak to Someone

If the person who picked up the phone is not who you intended to speak with, you can ask to be handed over to the right person. Here are some Filipino phone call phrases you can use to do this: 

Informal

• Nandiyan po ba si…gusto ko sana siyang makausap tungkol sa… (“Is [name] there? I’d like to talk to him/her about…”)
• Gusto ko sanang makausap si… (“I was wondering if I could speak with…”)
• Pakisabi hinahanap siya ni Bernadette. (“Please tell her it’s Bernadette.”)

Formal

• Gusto kong makausap si… (“I’d like to speak with…”)
• Maaari ko bang makausap si… (“May I speak/have a word with…”)

5. Asking Someone to Wait

If you’re the one receiving the call and have to ask the caller to wait, you can use the following phrases:

Informal

• Sandali lang…tatawagin ko siya. (“Wait a minute, I’ll just call him/her.”)
• Sandali lang ha, ibibigay ko sa kanya ang telepono. (“Wait, I’ll hand the phone over to him.”)

Formal

• Pwede po ba kayong maghintay ng kaunti? (“Could you wait a bit?”)
• Ililipat ko po ang tawag… (“Allow me to transfer the call…”)

6. Leaving a Message

When the person you’re looking for is not around, you can leave a message for them with the person who received your call. Here are a few ways you can do that:

Informal

• Pakisabi na lang na tawagan niya ako. Pakisabi importante. Salamat. (“Please tell him to call me. Please tell him that it’s important. Thank you.”)
• Sabihin mo tumawag ang kaibigan niyang si Edwin. Salamat. (“Tell him his friend Edwin called. Thanks!”)

Formal

• Maaari ba akong mag-iwan ng mensahe? (“Can I leave a message?”)
• Maaari mo bang sabihin sa kanya na tawagan ako? (“Can you tell him to call me back, please?”)

Keep in mind that the word maaari is the more formal term for pwede and is seldom used even in formal situations. In most cases, using pwede instead of maaari won’t affect the formality of your call or make you come off as unprofessional.

7. Asking for Clarification

As a non-native speaker conversing over the phone in Filipino, you’ll likely need to ask for clarifications at some point. While this might be because you received a lengthy or complex explanation that you need reiterated, it could also be that the line is too noisy or you can’t hear the other person clearly. 

Informal

• Pasensya na, ano yun ulit? (“I’m sorry, what was that again?”)
• Hindi ko narinig. Pakiulit nga. (“I didn’t hear you. Please say that again.”)
• Pwedeng paki ulit yung sinabi mo? Medyo maingay kasi dito. (“Could you repeat what you just said? It’s a bit noisy here.”)

Formal

• Pasensiya ka na,  pero pwede mo bang ulitin yung sinabi mo? (“I’m sorry, but could you repeat what you just said?”)
• Pwedeng paki ulit nung huli mong sinabi? (“Would you mind repeating the last line?”)
• Maaari mo bang ulitin yung address? (“Would you mind stating the address again?”)
• Ang sinasabi mo… (“What you were saying was…”)
• Ang ibig mong sabihin…tama ba ako? (“What you’re trying to say is…am I correct?”)
• Uulitin ko yung sinabi mo. Pakisabi kung tama ang pagkakaintindi ko. (“I’m going to reiterate what you just said. Please let me know if I understood it correctly.”)

If you want to confirm that you’re calling the right number, you can say something like this:

• Ito po ba ang opisina ni Mr. Aquino? (“Is this Mr. Aquino’s office?”)

Or:

• Tama po ba itong numero na tinawagan ko? (“Did I dial the correct number?”)

And then state the phone number you’re trying to call.

→ The Filipino language should not be difficult to comprehend. Here’s an entry to help you master some basic Filipino sentence patterns.

8. Ending the Phone Call

End the phone call successfully and appropriately with the following words and expressions:

1 – Ending a call as the caller…

Informal

• Sige, magkita na lang tayo. (“Alright, I’ll just see you on…”)
• O siya, mauna na ako. Bye! (“Okay, I’ll go now. Bye!”)

Formal

• Maraming salamat. Paalam. (“Thank you so much. Bye!”)
• Maraming salamat sa tulong mo. Hanggang sa muli. (“Thank you so much for your help. Until next time.”)

2 – Ending a call as the recipient…

Informal

• Ingat ka. (“You take care.”)
• Sige. Kitakits. (“Alright. See you!”)

Formal

• Maraming salamat din. (“Thank you, too.”)
• Salamat sa pagtawag. (“Thank you for calling.”)
• May maitutulong pa po ba ako? Kung wala na, maraming salamat sa pagtawag. Paalam. (“Is there anything else I can help you with? If there is none, I’d like to thank you for calling us. Goodbye!”)

One of the first things to do when arriving in the Philippines is to set up a phone plan. Here’s a list of related words and phrases about phone plans to help you with that.

Sige. Kitakits sa Sabado! (“Alright. See you on Saturday!”)

9. Sample Phone Conversations

Now, let’s take a look at two sample phone call conversations involving two friends setting up a brunch date on a weekend. The first scenario is an informal phone call conversation between Rain and her friend Athena. They haven’t seen each other for a while, and Rain has decided to call Athena to ask if she’s free the coming weekend for a date.

1 – Informal Phone Conversation

Rain: Hello, Athena, kumusta ka na? (“Hello, Athena. How are you?”)

Athena: Uy, Rain! Napatawag ka! Anong meron? (“Hey, Rain! You called! What’s up?”)

Rain: Yayayain sana kitang magkape sa Sabado, tutal walang pasok. Brunch na lang din tayo. (“I was wondering if I could invite you for coffee this coming Saturday since it’s a weekend. Let’s have it over brunch.”)

Athena: Magandang ideya yan. Sige! Saan ba plano mong kumain? (“That’s a wonderful idea. Sure! Where do you plan to eat?”)

Rain: May alam akong bagong bukas na kainan malapit lang kina Aaron. Sasama din pala siya. (“I know a place near Aaron’s. He’s coming with us, by the way.”)

Athena: Wow! Excited na ako. Sino-sino pa nandun? (“Wow! I’m excited already! Who else will be there?”)

Rain: Niyaya ko din si Raymund, actually, kaso sasamahan niya daw ang mom and dad niya. (“I actually invited Raymund, as well, but he said he needs to accompany his mom and dad.”)

Athena: Ah okay. So tayong tatlo lang nina Aaron? Okay lang sa akin. Miss ko na din yung isang yun eh. (“Oh okay. So it’s just the three of us? That’s fine with me. I actually miss that guy, too.”)

Rain: O ano? Okay na tayo sa Sabado? Sunduin na lang kita para hindi ka na magmaneho. Hatid na din kita pauwi. (“So, it’s final. We’ll meet this Saturday. I’ll just come and fetch you so you won’t have to drive. I’ll then drop you home afterward.”)

Athena: Oo ba. Tamang-tama lang ang alas-nuebe at tapos na ako sa mga gawain ko dito sa bahay. (“Sure. I should be done with my house chores before nine, so nine in the morning would be perfect.”)

Rain: Ayos! Kitakits sa Sabado. Babay! (“All right. See you on Saturday then. Bye!”)

Athena: Kitakits! Bye! (“See ya! Bye!”)

2 – Formal Phone Conversation

After Rain and Athena have agreed on the time and date of their meeting, Rain calls the restaurant she told Athena about so she could have a table reserved for them.

Keep in mind that it’s not common for phone calls in the Philippines to be purely in Tagalog. In fact, people hardly use Tagalog when making formal conversation. More often than not, it’s always a combination of Filipino and English. First, let me show you what a purely Tagalog conversation would sound like:

Attendant: Magandang umaga. Salamat sa pagtawag sa Doña Maria Cafe. (“Good morning. Thank you for calling Doña Maria Cafe.”)

Rain: Magandang umaga. Gusto ko po sanang magpareserba para sa tatlong tao. (“Good morning. I’d like to make a reservation.”)

Attendant: Sige po. Para sa anong petsa po ito? (“Of course. For what date will the reservation be?”)

Rain: Para sa darating na Sabado. (“It will be for this coming Saturday.”)

Attendant: Anong oras po? (“And the time?”)

Rain: Alas-nuebe ng umaga. (“Nine in the morning.”)

Attendant: Ilang tao po ang kailangan ng reserbasyon? (“How many people will you need the reservation for?”)

Rain: Para sa tatlong tao lang. (“For three people, please.”)

Attendant: Maaari ko po bang makuha ang pangalan nila? (“Would you kindly give me your name, please?”)

Rain: Rain Ledesma.

Attendant: Maraming salamat po. Ginawan ko na po kayo ng reserbasyon para sa tatlong tao sa darating na Sabado, alas-nuebe ng umaga. Mayroon pa po ba akong maipaglilingkod? (“Thank you so much. I made a reservation for three people for this Saturday at nine a.m. Will there be anything else I can help you with?”)

Rain: Yun lang po. Maraming salamat. Paalam. (“That is all. Thank you. Bye.”)

Attendant: Paalam. (“Bye.”)

3 – Formal Phone Conversation (Taglish)

Now, here’s what a more typical phone conversation would sound like when making a reservation at a restaurant in the Philippines.

Attendant: Thank you for calling Doña Maria Cafe. How may I help you?

Rain: Hello. Gusto ko sanang magpa-reserve. (“Hello. I’d like to make a reservation.”)

Attendant: Sige po. Para kailan po ito, ma’am? (“Sure. For what date will the reservation be?”)

Rain: Sa darating na Sabado sana. (“It’s for this coming Saturday.”)

Attendant: Anong oras po ang gusto nila? (“And the time, please?”)

Rain: Nine a.m.

Attendant: Sige po. Ilan po sila? (“Got that. This is for how many people?”)

Rain: Ah, tatlo lang kami. (“Oh, it’s just the three of us.”)

Attendant: Pwede ko pong makuha yung pangalan nila? (“May I have your name, please?”)

Rain: Rain Ledesma.

Attendant: Thank you po, ma’am. Ginawan ko na po kayo ng reservation for this coming Saturday, 9 in the morning, for three persons. Is there anything else po? (“Thanks, ma’am. I made a reservation for you for this coming Saturday at nine in the morning. It’s for three people. Is there anything else?”)

Rain: Wala na. Yun lang. Thank you! Bye! (“Nope. That’s all. Thank you. Bye!”)

Attendant: Sige po. Thank you! Bye! (“Okay. Thank you. Bye!”)

Notice how the speakers switched between Filipino and English throughout the conversation. Also note the excess use of po, which is typical for when someone doesn’t want to come across as rude or impolite.

Ginawan ko na po kayo ng reservation. (“I already made a reservation for you.”)

→ Don’t forget to check out our other list of Filipino phone call phrases!

Learn More Than Just Phone Call Phrases with FilipinoPod101!

In this lesson, you’ve learned some of the most useful Filipino phone call phrases to help you gain more confidence when making or taking a call. Do you feel more prepared to handle your next all-Filipino phone call, or are there some phrases or situations you’d still like to see covered?

If you wish to further improve your Tagalog and learn more than just phone call phrases, sign up for FilipinoPod101 today.

Here at FilipinoPod101.com, you can have access to a range of free resources including PDFs, audio lessons, and video recordings that will assist you in your studies. Not to mention hundreds of useful Tagalog vocabulary words to enrich and widen your mental wordbook.

Want to fast-track your progress? You can also avail yourself of our MyTeacher service, an innovative approach to language learning designed and developed to help language students learn with a real teacher on their own schedule. 

What are you waiting for? Join FilipinoPod101 now and start learning Filipino in a fun and innovative way!

Remember the last time you had to say something important, but you ended up forgetting the exact words you were planning to say? How about the time you were going to comment about something, but somehow, you just couldn’t utter the right words? What saved you from embarrassment during those moments? Let me guess—uhm—filler words! Yes, we’re talking about those short meaningless sounds that help you collect your thoughts or fill in the little pauses between your sentences.

While fillers are a common point of disagreement in the world of public speaking, there’s not a language in the world that makes do without them. It makes sense, then, to become familiar with Filipino filler words when learning Tagalog. Fillers make up a huge part of the daily conversations of the Filipino people. 

In this entry, we’ll introduce you to some of the most common filler words used in the Filipino language. We’ll also outline the pros and cons of using them in your speech. So, uhm, are you ready? Let’s get right to it!

When asked if you use filler words all the time: “Ah, eh. I do?”

Table of Contents

1. What are filler words and why do we use them?
2. A List of Filipino Filler Words
3. Should you use filler words?
4. Learn About Filipino Filler Words and More at FilipinoPod101.com!

1. What are filler words and why do we use them?

Fillers are short words or sounds we often use in conversations to “fill” pauses when speaking. Some filler words are actually useful, while others are rather meaningless. Filipinos use a lot of filler words in their conversations, many of which have an equivalent in English. Other cultures have their own version of these words, too. 

If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to speak Filipino without using filler words, the answer would be yes. However, there are certain situations where you can’t afford not to use them. For example, while you should avoid using fillers if you’re broadcasting or delivering a speech in public, they can come in handy during your daily conversations with native speakers. 

We use filler words in Filipino the same way they’re used in other languages. We use them when we need to think about our answers and to let people know we’re not done talking yet. We also use them to make our statements sound less harsh. That last point is important, as Filipinos are quite sensitive. If you feel that what you’re about to say is too straightforward, using fillers can help you rephrase your sentence so that it doesn’t come across too strong.

→ Using filler words will help you sound more like the locals. Speaking of which, here’s how you can start thinking in Filipino.

2. A List of Filipino Filler Words

Now that you’re familiar with the concept of fillers and how they’re used, it’s time to learn the top 15 filler words in Tagalog! 

#1

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Ano	“What”	“Uhm”
This is the most common filler word Filipinos use when they’re trying to remember something. It’s usually preceded by “uhm” or “ahh” and it’s used as a substitute for whatever the speaker is trying to remember, whether it’s a person, an object, a place, or an event. Hinahanap ka ni ano…nakalimutan ko ang pangalan niya.  “Someone was looking for you. It was uhm…I forgot his name.” Ano…oo pupunta kami dun.  “Uhm…yes, we’re going to be there.” When you’re trying to remember a person’s name, you say Si ano:  Si ano…si Anna!  “It was uhm…it was Anna!” When you’re trying to remember anything other than the name of a person, you say Yung ano: Yung ano…yung katrabaho ko.  “It was uhm…my colleague.” Two variants of this filler are inaano and anuhin, which could mean almost anything. Both are in verb form and could imply doing something to someone. For instance, if someone is bothering you, you could tell that person: Huwag mo akong anuhin!  They would already understand that what you’re trying to say is, “Stop doing that to me!” He could reply with: Hindi kita inaano!  “I’m not doing anything to you!”

#2

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Kasi	“Because”	“It’s because…uhm”
We most often use kasi when trying to explain something. It’s often associated with being defensive, like if the speaker is trying to justify one’s actions or is hiding something. Also, it usually comes with the previous filler word we discussed: ano. Eh kasi…uhm…hindi ko napansin na may nakasulat na bawal.  “It’s because…uhm…I didn’t notice that there was a warning sign there.” Ano kasi…ahh…kasi na low-bat yung cellphone ko kaya hindi ako nakasagot.  “Ah it’s because…uhm…my mobile phone died, that’s why I wasn’t able to reply.”

#3

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Ayun	“That one”	“There you go!” / “So…yeah”
One of the more frequently used Tagalog filler words, ayun could mean one of two things depending on when it’s used in a sentence. As an interjection, it’s what you exclaim when you’ve finally remembered what you were going to say (or when someone has helped you to remember). It’s equivalent to Archimedes exclaiming, “Eureka!” A: Hiniram niya yung ano…yung ano…uhm. (“She borrowed my uhm…my uhm…”) B: Yung kamera mo? (“Your camera?”) A: Ayun! (“That’s it!”) As a filler, it’s often used as a conclusion to something the speaker is trying to explain, such as the consequence of an action: Bumagsak siya. Hindi kasi siya nag-aral, kaya…ayun.  “He failed. He didn’t study, so…yeah.” In some cases, it’s used to express a sigh of resignation. A: Ano na nangyari sa manliligaw mo? (“So, what happened to the guy courting you?”) B: Ayun…sumuko na lang bigla. (“Sigh…he just quit.”)

Hindi kasi nag-aral. Ayun…bagsak tuloy siya. (“She didn’t study. So…yeah…she failed.”)

→ When studying Filipino, applying the right strategy is a must. Here are 7 ways to learn Filipino fast!

#4

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Kuwan	“That thing”	“Uhm”
Kuwan originates from the Spanish word ¿Cuál?, meaning “which.” Like the filler word ano, it’s often used to replace the name of a person or thing that the speaker has forgotten momentarily. It has no direct English translation, although it could be considered equivalent to the English filler “uhm.” Filipino speakers use this word when they’re not sure about the proper term for something. In many cases, it’s used to replace a word that’s considered taboo, particularly one that’s related to sex or sexuality. Close friends use this word as a secret code when they want to speak openly without other people understanding what they’re trying to imply. Kunin mo nga yung…yung kuwan…yung pitaka ko.  “Could you please get me my uhm..my uhm…my wallet.” May binigay pala yung messenger na kuwan…memorandum.  “By the way, the messenger gave a…uhmm…a memorandum.” Alam mo, niregaluhan daw ni kuwan si kuwan ng mamahaling relo nung kaarawan niya!  “You know what, you-know-who gave you-know-who an expensive watch on her birthday!”

#5

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Parang	“Supposedly”	“It’s like…” / “Like”
Parang is the combination of the word para (which means “seems like”) and the ligature ng. As a filler word, it’s used when the speaker is trying to describe something but can’t seem to find the right words. Parang…hindi ko maipaliwanag eh.  “It’s like…I can’t explain it.” Maganda yung napuntahan namin! Parang…basta maganda siya!  “The place we went to was awesome! It was like…it’s simply beautiful!” Yung parang…alam mo yun…  “It’s like…you know it…”

#6

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Basta!	“Enough”	–
Basta is another word of Spanish origin, meaning “Enough said!” or “Stop it!” In Filipino, it could mean many different things depending on how you’re using it in a sentence. Here are some of its uses: Just to let you know.  Basta, nandito lang ako pag kailangan mo ako.  “Just to let you know, I’m just here whenever you need me.” As long as / Whenever Magagawa ko ang lahat basta kasama kita.  “I can do anything as long as you’re beside me.” Especially. Basta Filipina, maganda!  “Filipina women are especially beautiful!” I’d rather not tell. Ah, basta! Sikreto naming dalawa yun.  “I’d rather not tell! It’s our secret.” That’s enough! Basta! Sundin mo na lang ang sasabihin ko!  “That’s enough! Just do as I say!”

Ah, basta! Sikreto naming dalawa yun. (“I’d rather not tell! It’s our secret.”)

#7

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Ngek!	–	“Yikes” / “Oh” / “Eh”
Ngek is primarily a Filipino slang word which could mean “Yikes!” or “Eek!” When you hear a Filipino saying ngek, it either means they made a mistake or that they’re disagreeing with what another person is saying.  Ngek. Paano mo nasabi, eh wala ka naman dun?  “Eh? How can you say that when you were not there?” It could also be an onomatopoeia that imitates the sound of a game show buzzer, indicating that the time is up or that the player got the answer wrong.  As a filler, it’s used when the speaker is trying to deny an accusation against them. Ngek…hindi ah. Hindi ko sinabi yun.  “Oh my, no…I never said that.” Ngek…baka ibang tao yun.  “Duh…it must be somebody else.”

→ One effective way to study filler words is to learn how they sound. Hear how Filipino words are usually pronounced by checking out the FilipinoPod101 YouTube channel!

#8

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Ah oo	“Ah yes…”	“I see…”
Ah oo is like saying, “Yes, yes!” Filipinos use it to quickly let the other party know that they’re agreeing with what they’re saying or that they’re making a point. Using this filler word also serves as a way to let someone know that you’ve figured something out or that you’re finally getting what they’re trying to convey. Ah oo! Tama ka!  “Ah, yes! You’re absolutely right!” Try to imagine, too, a Filipino talking to someone over the phone and hearing that person saying: Ahh…oo…hmm…tama…ahh okay…  “Ahh…yes…hmm…I see…”

#9

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Diba?	“Is it not?”	“Right?”
Diba, also spelled di’ba or di ba, is a contraction of Hindi ba, which literally means “Is it not?” Hindi is the Tagalog word for “not.” Ba, on the other hand, has no direct English equivalent. It’s an intensifier that’s used when forming a question. For instance: Kumain ka na ba?  “Have you eaten yet?” Papasok ka pa ba kahit malakas ang ulan?  “Are you still going to work despite the heavy rain?” Diba is one of the most common expressions you need to know when you’re learning Filipino. You can place it at the beginning or the end of a sentence when you’re asking someone for confirmation. Taga dito ka, diba?  “You’re from around here, right?” Diba ikaw yung asawa ni Mary?  “You’re Mary’s husband, right?” As a filler, diba is mainly used to confirm information. Narinig niyo nung sinabi ko yun, diba? Diba, Jen? Diba, Mike? “You heard me when I said it, right? Right, Jen? Right, Mike?” Gusto mo siya no? Aminin mo na. Diba, diba, diba?  “You like him, don’t you? Admit it. Right, right, right?”

#10

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
O, ha?	–	“Told ‘ya!” / “See?”
O, ha is sometimes used in conjunction with the previous filler word, diba. You can use this expression as a response to someone who has agreed with you after disagreeing at first. You can also use it to show detractors that you’re not easily discouraged and that they were wrong to tell you that you amount to nothing. A: Tama ka. Tatlong taon pa lang ang nakalipas, hindi apat. (“You were right. It’s only been three years, not four.”) B: O, ha? (“Told you so.”) Natanggap ako sa trabaho! O, ha?  “I got hired! Told ‘ya!” O, ha? Diba? Sabi ko sa’yo eh!  “See? Right? Told ‘ya!”

#11

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Naman	–	–
Naman is one Filipino word that’s very difficult to translate to English. You could say that it has no direct English equivalent, as this filler could mean different things depending on how you use it in a sentence. For instance, you could use it to make a contrast, to give emphasis, or even to tone down a request. As a filler word, it could mean, “not again.” When someone is being a nuisance, for example, you could say: Naman.  “Here we go again.” Interestingly, it’s also used by a person who’s being annoying to say they’re just joking around: Naman ito. Binibiro lang kita.  “Oh you…I was just teasing.”

O ha? Sabi ko sa’yo bagay sakin itong suot ko eh! (“I told ‘ya these overalls would suit me!”)

→ Need to know the Filipino equivalent of a particular English word? Try out the FilipinoPod101 Filipino Dictionary!

#12

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Alam mo yun?	“You know that?”	“You know”
“You know” is one of the most commonly used filler words in English. Its equivalent filler in Filipino is Alam mo yun, which is used in the same manner.  Ang ibig kong sabihin…alam mo yun…  “I mean…you know…” In some cases, it’s used to express annoyance: Ang tagal kong naghintay tapos ang init-init pa. Alam mo yun?  “I waited there for so long, and the fact that it was so hot…you know what I mean?” Huwag mo siyang pautangin. Hindi yan nagbabayad…alam mo yun?  “Don’t lend him anything. He doesn’t pay…you know.” Alam mo yun? Yung gusto mo ng makauwi tapos wala kang masakyan?  “You know that feeling when you want to get home so badly but you can’t grab a ride?”

#13

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Ganito	“This”	“It’s like this” / “Here”
Ganito is a word that you use when you’re showing someone how to do something. When showing a foreigner how to cook rice, for instance, a Filipino would say: Ganito magluto ng kanin.  “This is how you cook rice.” It could also mean, “This is how things are,” such as in the famous Tagalog slogan: Ganito kami sa Makati.  “This is how we are in Makati.” / “This is how we do things in Makati.” As a filler word, ganito is often used when the speaker is trying to describe a circumstance or event, or when they’re attempting to establish a fact. Ganito, hindi ako ang nagsabi na kunin niya ang pera.  “It’s like this, I’m not the one who said that he should get the money.” Ganito, bakit hindi na lang tayo sumang-ayon na huwag sumang-ayon sa isa’t-isa?  “Here, why don’t we just agree to disagree?” Ganito na lang. Samahan mo na lang ako.  “Let’s just do it this way. Why don’t you just accompany me?”

#14

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Hala	–	“Uh-oh” / “Oh no” / “Really?”
Hala is a word with a thousand meanings. It’s mainly an interjection or an exclamation of warning: Hala ka! Anong ginawa mo?  “You’re in trouble! What have you done?” It’s what you would say when you’re about to witness (or are witnessing) a disaster: Hala! Nasusunog yung bahay!  “Oh no! The house is on fire!” It’s also an expression of panic: Hala! Nakalimutan ko ang mga papeles!  “Uh-oh! I forgot to bring the documents!” It functions as a filler word when used to express disbelief: A: Pasensya ka na, pero hindi ka nakapasa. (“I’m sorry, but you didn’t pass.”) B: Hala. Imposible. (“Oh no. That’s impossible.”) It can also indicate sarcasm:  A: Ikaw na daw ang bagong team leader sabi nila. (“They say you’re going to be the new team leader.”) B: Hala? Sigurado sila? (“Really? Are they sure?”)

#15

Filler Word	Literally	English Equivalent
Naku / Hay Naku	–	“Oh my” / “Ugh!”
Linguists say naku came from Nanay ko, which literally means “My mother.” Its variant is Nakupo, which comes from Nanay ko po! It’s what someone would exclaim when they’re in trouble and need their mom on their side. Nakupo! Mapapatay ako ni boss!  “Oh my! My boss is going to kill me!” Naku, nakuu, nakuuu! Bakit ba kasi hindi siya nakinig.  “Oh my, oh my, oh my! Why didn’t he just listen?” This expression also appears as Hay naku, with hay being the sound of sighing. It functions as a filler when someone is disappointed and about to burst into anger, or when they want to remain calm when they’re about to explode. Hay naku! Makaalis na nga.  “Ugh! I’d better leave now!”

Naku, nakuu, nakuuu! Ana na naman itong pinasok ko?
(“Oh my, oh my, oh my! What have I gotten myself into this time?”)

3. Should you use filler words?

Fillers may come in different forms, but they all seem to serve the same purpose. This is true regardless of which language we’re talking about. The question, however, is whether or not it’s okay to use filler words in Filipino. First, let’s take a look at some of the pros of using fillers when speaking.

1 – Filler words can make you sound like a native speaker.

A native speaker will always speak in the colloquial variety, and when they do, you can expect a lot of filler words to be sprinkled throughout their conversation. You’ll impress your Filipino listeners when you use filler words because it will make you sound authentic.

2 – Filler words can help you insert yourself into a conversation more naturally.

It can be a difficult task to insert oneself into a group conversation without being impolite. A well-placed Ah oo… or Ganito… in the middle of a colleague’s pause can be an effective way to break into a conversation.

3 – Filler words can help you “hold the floor” so people know you’re not done speaking yet.

When speaking in public (such as in a business meeting), pausing in the middle of your speech instead of using a filler word might make people assume that you’re done speaking. This could cause others to jump in and interrupt you. Using the right filler word can be a great way to tell people that you’re not finished speaking.

→ Learn how to carry a conversation in Filipino with this lesson.

This time, let’s take a look at three downsides to using excessive filler words.

1 – Excessive use of filler words can be distracting to both you and your listeners.

A few fillers here and there can have some benefits, but using too many can be distracting. When you say Alam mo yun (“You know”) at the end of every sentence, your listeners will shift from listening to you to taking note of how many times you’ve said Alam mo yun.

2 – Filler words can unnecessarily lengthen your sentences.

Filler words may be short, but using too many of them will make your sentences longer. Not a good thing when you’re giving a report that’s supposed to be precise and direct.

3 – Using filler words can make you look unconfident and less credible.

If you’ve noticed, most Filipino filler words mentioned here are used when you’re trying to remember or explain something. Using ano, kasi, and diba excessively will make you come across as inauthentic or insincere because they make you sound as if you need to justify everything you’re saying.

Filler words can help you “hold the floor” so people know you’re not done speaking yet.
Ano…sandali…hindi pa ako tapos magsalita. (“Uhm..wait…I’m not done talking.”)

4. Learn About Filipino Filler Words and More at FilipinoPod101.com!

So…uhm…what did you think of our entry on common filler words in Filipino? Did you know that you can learn so much more here at FilipinoPod101.com? With us, you can take your skills in Tagalog to the next level using our wide range of resources. All of our lessons and materials are designed to help you develop your comprehension skills in Filipino.

There are many good language learning platforms online, but what separates FilipinoPod101 is its innovative approach to teaching the Filipino language. Each lesson here can be tailored to your needs so that you don’t miss a step in your journey toward mastering this beautiful language. From video lessons to audio lessons, from PDF lesson materials to blog entries like this one, you can rest assured that there’s an approach to suit your preferences. 

FilipinoPod101 is also one of the few, if not the only, language learning platforms that provide 1-on-1 lessons. This is done through our MyTeacher service for Premium PLUS students, which allows you to have personal lessons with a real Filipino teacher. With this approach, you can learn Filipino the fast, easy, and fun way!

Did we miss anything on our list? Is there one filler word you want to learn more about? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments section!

Filipinos are known to be very romantic. In fact, Filipinos are ranked as the fourth most romantic lovers in the Asia-Pacific, despite the reality that the Filipino culture of courtship has significantly evolved over the past several decades. 

Before, a young Filipino man would serenade the love of his life to express his feelings for her in a gesture called harana. Courtship slowly shifted from the traditional serenading to phone calls and love letters. The grand arrival of the internet and the mobile phone eventually gave way to online dating. 

So, in modern times, how does one say “I love you,” in Tagalog?

Despite the gradual changes to courtship and dating in the Philippines, what remains are the utterances used in expressing one’s feelings and the passion behind them.

Whether you’re planning to have a romantic relationship with a Filipino or already have one, it’s vital for you to learn some of the most common Tagalog love phrases. And that just scratches the surface of what you’re going to learn in this article!

O Love! Thou all-omnipotent one,
Who sporteth ev’n with sire and son;
Once sworn to thee, a heart then on
Defies all else: thy will be done.
– Francisco Balagtas, 1788-1862

Table of Contents

1. Confessing Your Affection: Pick-up Lines and More
2. Falling in Deeper: Saying “I Love You,” and More
3. Take it One Step Further: “Will You Marry Me?” and More
4. Filipino Endearment Terms
5. Must-know Filipino Love Quotes
6. Learn More Important Tagalog Phrases with FilipinoPod101!

1. Confessing Your Affection: Pick-up Lines and More

The Filipino term for courtship is panliligaw. Unlike in many Western societies, courtship in Philippine culture is indirect and a bit more subdued. Men don’t want to come off as mayabang (“presumptuous” or “arrogant”) or presko (the term literally means “fresh,” but in this context, it means “aggressive”), so when they’re interested in a woman, they have to be discreet and somewhat mysterious at first.

The courtship starts with the manliligaw (the one who courts) asking the nililigawan (the one being courted) out on a date, oftentimes with a chaperone. But even before that, the young man must know to choose his words carefully in order to avoid rejection.

Pwede bang malaman ang pangalan mo?

“May I know your name?”

While courtship in the Philippines often happens between two people who are familiar with each other or have known each other for a long time, it’s not unusual for two strangers to enter courtship and fall in love. If you’re interested in a person, you should always start by asking for that person’s name. If the other person is interested, they might give you their name, and you can take things from there.

Pwede bang hingin ang phone number mo?	“May I have your phone number?” “Is it okay if I ask for your phone number?”
Texting and online messaging are the primary means of communication in the Philippines. If you want to keep in touch with a girl you like, what better way than to ask for her phone number? Or, if you’d like to ask for her social media name, you can say: Pwede ba kitang i-add sa social media? / “Can I add you on social media?”

May gagawin ka ba…?	“Will you be busy…?”
A Filipino guy won’t directly say to a girl that he likes her. Instead, he’ll show interest by asking her: May gagawin ka ba sa Sabado? / “Will you be busy this coming Saturday?”  Or: May gagawin ka ba mamayang gabi? / “Will you be busy tonight?” It’s an indirect way of saying, “Let’s go out on a date. I want to get to know you more.”

Gusto sana kitang yayain na lumabas.	“I was wondering if you would like to go out with me.”
This is what you say when the girl responds with, “I don’t have any plans yet. Why?”  By this time, the girl already has a hint that you’re interested in her. If she’s also interested in you, she’ll say yes. Even if she’s not interested (yet), she might still say yes to get to know you more.

Gusto kita.

“I like you.”

Traditionally, Filipino women didn’t like it when their manliligaw moved too fast in terms of courtship. But with the passing of time and the infiltration of Western influence on the Philippine culture of courtship and dating, it’s now common for two individuals to enter into a romantic relationship without having to go through the long process of panliligaw. When a young man sees a lady he likes, he asks for her name and phone number, and then directly says to her: Gusto kita. / “I like you.”  He can also say: Type kita. / “You’re my type.” Most Filipinas are still very conservative, though, and prefer men who play by the rules. Some would even prefer a guy who’s torpe (someone who doesn’t know how to court, extremely shy, or simply playing innocent) over someone who’s too direct. That said, it’s not uncommon to hear phrases like: Matagal na kitang gusto. / “I have liked you for a long time.”  This usually comes from a guy who has finally mustered the courage to express his affections, oftentimes after being exposed. And if the girl also likes him, she answers with: Matagal na rin kitang gusto. / “I feel the same way.”

Pwede bang umakyat ng ligaw?

“Can I court you?”

This is where the actual courtship takes place.  Perhaps you’re wondering why the word umakyat is used here. The root word is akyat, which means “to climb.” Houses in the Philippines during the Spanish era usually had multiple levels. This was true both for the Bahay na Bato (concrete house) and the bahay kubo (nipa house). When a man planned to court a woman, he would do so by serenading her with an acoustic guitar. He would call out toward the window of the second level where the woman’s room was, and from there, the young woman would look down at the young man as he began to serenade her. After all the singing, the man would ask for the lady’s permission by saying: Maaari ba akong pumanhik? / “Can I go up?” If the woman was interested, she would say: Sige, pasok ka. / “Sure, come inside.” This phrase of “going up to court someone” has been a part of Filipino tradition since, and until now, it’s the same expression used by men when asking permission to court a girl.

Pwede ba kitang maging kasintahan?	“Would you be my girlfriend?”
The first stage of courtship culminates with the man asking the woman this question. This is the part where the man expects to receive the woman’s matamis na ‘oo’ or “sweet ‘yes’” so they can officially be together.

“Hi, I’m Will. God’s will.”

→ This lesson will help you learn how to introduce yourself in Filipino.

2. Falling in Deeper: Saying “I Love You,” and More

In this section, you’ll learn how “I love you,” is actually said in Filipino, plus more expressions used for showing affection between two lovers.

Mahal kita.

“I love you.”

To confess your love in Filipino, you use these two simple words. If you follow our blog, you’ve probably come across some topics where we’ve explained how the pronoun kita works. It’s actually the subject ko (“I”) and the object ka (“you”) combined. It stands for ko ka, which is never used but always replaced with kita. So, when you say Mahal kita, you’re actually saying, Mahal ko ka, which is literally “Love I you.” But what if you want to say to someone that you love them very much? In that case, you could say: Mahal na mahal kita. / “I love you very much.” Here, we see a reduplication of mahal. To express extravagant love without reduplication, you could say: Sobrang mahal kita. / “I love you very much.”

Hindi kita mabura sa isipan ko.	“I can’t get you out of my head.”
This is what you say to someone to let them know that you’re crazy about them. The word bura is Tagalog for “erase,” so this expression basically means, “I can’t erase you from my head,” with “head” being the word isipan, which is literally “mind.”

Sabik na sabik na ako sa iyo.	“I miss you very much.”
The word sabik means “eager,” so by saying that you are sabik about somebody, you’re saying that you’re eager to see that person. There’s no direct translation in Tagalog for the word “miss” or “missing” in terms of an emotional longing, so we use the Filipino word for “eager” instead. Most Filipinos nowadays seldom use the word sabik, so you can just say: Miss na miss na kita.

Baliw na baliw ako sa’yo.	“I’m so crazy about you.”
Lovesickness can make anyone go crazy. There are simply times where it’s impossible to wrap your arms around the person you’re in love with. This is especially true among Filipino couples who are in a long-distance relationship.

Sobrang in lab ako sa iyo.	“I’m so in love with you.”
This is just another way of telling someone you’re crazy about them. In lab is a loanword, or rather a loan expression, from the English “in love.” This is an informal phrase.

Gustong-gusto kitang makita.	“I want to see you badly.”
When you miss someone badly, the only thing you want is to see them again soon. That’s where this expression comes in. Another version is:  Gustong-gusto na kitang makasama/makapiling. / “I want to be with you so badly.”

Ikaw ang lahat sa akin.

“You are everything to me.”

This may sound cliche, but each culture probably has its own version of this expression. Filipinos don’t use this in regular conversations; it’s only used in formal contexts, like when you’re writing a poem or a love letter. This five-word romantic expression is also the title of a song popularized by Filipino singer Martin Nievera in the 90s. And yes, the song perfectly embodies the message that the expression is trying to convey.

Sobrang in lab ako sa iyo. / “I’m so in love with you.”

→ Need more inspiration? Here are other ways to say “I love you,” in Filipino.

3. Take it One Step Further: “Will You Marry Me?” and More

Pagkahaba-haba man daw ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy. 
“The procession may be long, but it will surely still end up in the church.”

This famous Filipino proverb perfectly describes traditional Filipino courtship, particularly how arduous and long the process can be when the rules of the game are strictly followed. At the end of the day, it’s not the guy who’s richer and better-looking who wins, but the one who perseveres until the end. Before the grand church procession happens, however, one must first learn how to ask the million-dollar question in Filipino. But first, let’s meet the parents!

Gusto kitang ipakilala sa mga magulang ko.

“I’d like you to meet my parents.”

It’s a common saying in the Philippines that when you’re courting a girl, you’re also courting her entire family, particularly her parents. When a girl invites you to come over to her place to meet her parents, it means she likes you. On the other hand, when it’s the guy who makes the invitation, it means he’s serious about the relationship. It’s not always the case, but this is one of the first signs that a guy plans to propose real soon.

Magpakasal na tayo.	“Let’s get married.”
The Filipinos have adopted the Western tradition of proposing marriage with the giving of an engagement ring, sometimes in public. Nevertheless, a simple Magpakasal na tayo (“Let’s get married”) should be sufficient.

Gusto kitang pakasalan.	“I want to marry you.”
This is another version of the previous phrase. This one is a bit indirect, though, and may come off as a simple desire to get married rather than an actual proposal.

Pakasalan mo ako.	“Marry me.”
This one’s more straightforward. Even though courtship in Filipino culture begins slowly, when the right time comes, the man should not be afraid to show his true intentions. Mo is an indirect object pronoun that means “you.” Literally, Pakasalan mo ako is “Marry you me.”

Papayag ka bang magpakasal sa akin?	“Will you marry me?”
For those of you wondering how to say “Will you marry me?” in Filipino, this is probably the closest that you can get.  Papayag is the future tense of the verb payag, which means “to conform” or “to agree.” In this context, its closest translation in English is “willing.” In English, the question would sound like: “Are you willing to get married to me?”

Pakakasalan kita.	“I will marry you.”
Nothing could be more direct than this one. It’s not a question but a statement, a sort of promise even. If you want to reassure a Filipina that you intend to marry her, then tell her this.

Magsama na tayo.

“Let’s move in together.”

Filipinos are very conservative and religious. Some people say this is a result of the Philippines having been under Spanish rule for over 300 years. Others say it’s just that conservatism is a trait of Asian people. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that living together before marriage is a practice that’s not widely accepted in the Philippines. People are becoming more open-minded nowadays, however, and it’s not unusual for couples to live together and even start a family before marriage.

Mag-anak na tayo.

“Let’s have kids already.”

It’s common to find three generations living together in a Filipino household. Since the Philippines is primarily an agricultural country, great importance is given to child-rearing. The more children there are in a family, the greater the chance that the family’s livelihood will be sustained. However, there has been a shift in the mindset of young Filipino couples nowadays when it comes to having children. For most couples, career should be given priority. But once either of the two feels it’s time to have kids, they would say:  Gumawa na tayo ng anak. / “Let’s start making babies.”

Papayag ka bang magpakasal sa akin? / “Will you marry me?”

→ Don’t forget to add these Filipino marriage proposal lines to your arsenal.

4. Filipino Endearment Terms

Filipinos never use Tagalog terms of endearment. Such terms can only be found in literature, or are sometimes heard spoken by the older generation. Nowadays, Filipino couples make use of English terms to address each other romantically. They use terms like “honey,” “babe,” “darling,” or “sweetheart.” But for the sake of this lesson, allow us to show you some of the most common Filipino terms of endearment.

Irog	“Darling,” “Beloved,” “Dear”
Irog is an old Filipino term which could mean “darling,” “beloved,” or “dear.” No one uses this term in regular conversations, though. You’ll mostly encounter this word as a lyric in a love song. Here’s one line from the song Solomon by Filipino indie band Munimuni: O irog dinig mo ba Ang pagtibok ng aking puso? “O darling, do you hear  the beating of my heart?”

Sinta	“Love,” “My love”
Sinta is another old-fashioned term of endearment that is synonymous with “love.” Calling someone sinta is like saying in English, “my darling.” It’s the root word of kasintahan, which means “girlfriend” or “boyfriend.” Just like irog, you will seldom hear the word sinta used in normal conversations.

Mahal	“Love”
One of the definitions of the Filipino word mahal is “expensive” or “valuable.” Interestingly, the word is also the Filipino word for “love.” When you tell someone Mahal kita, you’re essentially saying that the person is dear to you.

Pangga	“My love”
Pangga is a variant of the Visayan term palangga, which means “to love” or “to have a strong affection for someone.” It’s the equivalent of the Tagalog mahal, and while it’s Cebuano and Hiligaynon in origin, it’s now very common to hear it spoken by Tagalog-speaking people.

Beh	“Baby”
Beh is a Filipino slang term for “baby.” It’s often used between two lovers, but it’s not uncommon to hear it being used between very close friends, particularly between two females.

5. Must-know Filipino Love Quotes

In the past, Filipino love quotes were mostly from classic Tagalog love songs, movies, or literature, such as those written by the great Filipino poet, Francisco Balagtas. These days, you’ll usually get them from what the younger generations refer to as hugot. This is the Filipino term for “pull out,” like when you’re pulling money from a deep pocket. If you search the web using the keyword “Filipino love quotes,” you’ll be amazed that most of the results are not purely classic love quotes, but modern “hugot lines.” These lines are usually given birth by deep emotional experience, such as falling in (or even out of) love. 

Now that you have some cultural context, here are some of the most common love quotes in Filipino…

Ang puso ko ay pumili, at ang pinili ay ikaw.	“My heart made its choice, and it chose you.”
It’s not uncommon for a Filipina woman to have more than one suitor. Even until a couple of decades ago, it was a usual occurrence that two or even three suitors would visit a girl in her home at the same time. The first one to arrive would court first, and the rest would wait for their turn like true gentlemen. At the end of the day, the girl would make her choice. Only the best man would win.

Ibibigay ko ang lahat sa’yo, maging ang araw at ang buwan, pati bituin ay aking susungkitin.	“I’ll give you everything, the sun, the moon, and even the stars in the sky.”
This is one of the oldest Filipino pick-up lines. It may not guarantee success nowadays, but there are probably still a lot of Filipinas out there who prefer this kind of romantic line over something cheesy like, “Is your dad a terrorist? ‘Coz you’re the bomb!”

Ang pag-ibig parang taxi, agawan.

“Love is like queuing for a taxi. People fight to get a ride.”

This is a more modern Filipino love quote. The person who invented this probably had to overcome several obstacles and competitors just to get the attention of the woman he loves. I’m not sure if he ended up successful, but it’s interesting that he compared love to the taxi queuing system in the Philippines, which requires you to be patient and assertive at the same time if you want to get a ride.

Nang dumating ka sa buhay ko, naging makulay ang mundo ko.	“When you came into my life, my world became colorful.”
What a beautiful description of what it means to find love! Indeed, for many of us, the only thing that could light up our world is the love of our life!

Mag-ingat sa lalaking matamis ang dila.	“Beware of sweet talkers.”
Scams and scammers are rampant these days, but did you know that love scams are not new? Filipino men are known to be malambing (“sweet”), but girls will know when you’re genuine with your intentions or are simply sweet-talking them. Avoid being matamis ang dila or you’ll come off as a player.

Kay tamis ng kanyang mga salita! / “How sweet his words are!”

6. Learn More Important Tagalog Phrases with FilipinoPod101!

This has been a long lesson on how to say “I love you,” in Tagalog, and we could still go on and on because there are actually many more love phrases in Filipino and cultural details to explore! 

To learn more important Filipino phrases, why not just create your account on FilipinoPod101.com? With FilipinoPod101, you’ll learn more than just romantic Filipino phrases and Tagalog pick-up lines. Here, you’ll learn the basics of Filipino grammar, including how to construct sentences properly, pronounce difficult Tagalog words, and appropriately apply Filipino expressions to any situation.

FilipinoPod101 is unlike any other online language learning platform. Here, you can study lessons that are tailored to perfectly match your requirements. And with our MyTeacher service for Premium PLUS members, you can learn how to speak fluent Tagalog in no time with the help of a Filipino teacher who will provide you with guidance and ongoing assessment. 

What are you waiting for? Become part of the FilipinoPod101 community today! And if you found this post helpful, don’t hesitate to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!