
Online classes may be the norm these days, but nothing can beat an actual classroom experience. If you’re planning to study in the Philippines one day or currently are, it will help a lot to learn and master Filipino classroom phrases. Not only will it enable you to communicate with your teachers and classmates more effectively, but it will also help you get the most out of every class you take.
This guide will introduce you to over thirty school words and phrases in Tagalog, from basic greetings to common classroom instructions to useful expressions you can use when conversing with teachers and fellow students. Let’s begin!


- Basic Greetings
- Common Instructions and Commands Used by Teachers
- Phrases To Use When Asking for Clarifications
- Phrases To Use When Explaining Absences and Tardiness
- When Talking About Your Favorite Subjects
- When Talking About Common School Supplies
- How FilipinoPod101 Can Help
1. Basic Greetings
In most schools in the Philippines, the only time you would actually hear Tagalog classroom greetings is during classes where Filipino is used as the main language, such as the Filipino subject, or sometimes, Social Studies.
English is the preferred means of communication in Filipino schools, especially private ones. However, in most public schools, students are encouraged to communicate in Filipino or use their dialect.
It’s also essential to learn how to address one’s teachers and classmates and not just what Filipino words to say when greeting them.
Female teachers are addressed either as Ginang (Ma’am/Mrs./Madam) or Binibini (Miss), while male teachers are addressed as Ginoo (Sir). There are no special titles used for addressing one’s fellow students, but showing respect and courtesy to one another is encouraged at all times.
Magandang umaga, Binibining Reyes. | “Good morning, Miss Reyes.” |
Magandang umaga, Ginang Diaz. | “Good morning, Mrs. Diaz.” |
Magandang hapon, Ginoong Santos. | “Good afternoon, Mr. Santos.” |
Magandang umaga, Ma’am/Sir. | “Good morning, Ma’am/ Sir.” |
Magandang umaga, mga kaklase. | “Good morning, classmates” |
Magandang araw sa inyong lahat. | “Good day to all of you.” |
Paalam, Binibining Robles. | “Goodbye, Miss Robles.” |
Magkita ulit tayo bukas. | “See you tomorrow.” |

Magkita ulit tayo bukas. (“See you tomorrow.”)
- ➜ There are many different ways of greeting in Filipino. Our lesson on Basic Filipino Greetings is a great place to start learning them.
2. Common Instructions and Commands Used by Teachers
The Philippine educational system is largely influenced by the country’s colonial past. It has adopted the Spanish way of teaching, in particular. This is characterized by an authoritarian management style where the teacher has complete control of everything going on inside the classroom. This is no longer a common practice, although courtesy, politeness, and respect are values that are still highly encouraged among students and teachers alike. The following are some of the most basic Filipino phrases used by teachers when addressing their students:
Greetings
Magandang araw sa inyong lahat. | “Good morning everyone.” |
Kumusta kayo ngayong araw? | “How are you today?” |
Kumusta ka na, Andrea? | “How are you, Andrea?” |
Masaya akong makita kayo. | “I am happy to see you all.” |
Roll Call
Nandito ba kayong lahat? | “Is everybody here?” |
Sino ang wala ngayon? | “Who is not here/absent today?” |
Nasaan si Carlos? | “Where is Carlos?” |
Nandito na ba si Miguel? | “Is Miguel here already?” |
Anong nangyari kay Anya? | “What happened to Anya?” |
Time to Begin
Simulan na natin ang ating klase. | “Let’s begin our class.” |
Simulan na natin ang ating aralin. | “Let’s begin our lesson” |
Handa na ba ang lahat? | “Is everybody ready?” |
Magsisimula na tayo. Kung maaari ay tumahimik na ang lahat at makinig. | “We’ll start now. Please keep quiet and listen.” |
Umayos na ang lahat para makapagsimula na tayo. | “Settle down now so we can start.” |
Ang lahat ba ay nakikita ang nakasulat sa pisara? | “Can everyone see what’s written on the board?” |
Common Instructions
Itabi niyo na ang mga gamit niyo. | “Pack your things away now.” |
Isara niyo ang inyong mga aklat. | “Close your books.” |
Buksan ang mga aklat sa pahina… | “Open your books at page…” |
Kakailanganin ninyo ang lapis at papel. | “You will need a pencil and a sheet of paper.” |
Pag-aaralan natin ang… | “We will learn about…” |
Pag-aaralan natin kung paano… | “We will learn how to…” |
May sampung minuto lang kayo para gawin ito. | “You only have ten minutes to do this.” |
Comprehension Questions
Naiintindihan niyo ba? | “Do you understand?” |
Nakakasunod ba kayo? | “Do you follow?” |
May mga tanong ba kayo? | “Do you have any questions?” |
May mga katanungan? | “Any questions?” |
Sino ang nakakaalam ng sagot? | “Who knows the answer?” |
Sino ang makakasagot sa tanong? | “Who can answer the question?” |
Pakisulat ang sagot sa pisara. | “Please write the answer on the board.” |
Pakiulit ng sinabi mo. | “Say it again, please.” / “Please repeat what you said.” |
Classroom Supervision
Tumigil muna kayo sa pagsasalita. | “Everybody stop talking please.” |
Tumingin kayo dito. | “Look this way.” |
Makinig kayo sa sinasabi ni Kiana. | “Listen to what Kiana is saying.” |
Hayaan niyo na muna iyan sa ngayon. | “Leave that one for now.” |

Pakisulat ang sagot sa pisara. (“Please write the answer on the board.”)
- ➜ No student is greater than their teacher. If you want to be a great student of the Filipino language, you will need to have a great teacher. Our lesson entitled The Power of a Good Filipino Teacher shares insights on how important it is to find a good language teacher.
3. Phrases To Use When Asking for Clarifications
Asking for clarification is part of learning. It’s a great way for students to learn new information and better understand what has just been taught. Most teachers allow their students to ask questions regarding the lesson only after giving the lecture.
Some would take a break midway to give students the opportunity to process what they have heard and ask for clarifications. A few others don’t mind if their students raise a question in the middle of the lesson. Just remember to ask politely and use the expression po as much as possible when addressing the teacher.
Hindi ko po maintindihan. | “I don’t understand.” |
Pwede niyo po bang ulitin? | “Can you please repeat?” |
May gusto po akong itanong. | “I would like to ask something.” |
May tanong po ako. | “I have a question.” |
Pakiulit po ng mga tagubilin. | “Please repeat the instructions.” |
Nahihirapan po akong ayusin ang pangungusap na ito. | “I’m having trouble fixing this sentence.” |
Turuan niyo po akong baybayin ito. | “Please help me spell this one.” |
Ano daw ang sabi ng guro natin? | “What did our teacher say?” |
- ➜ Asking questions is the fastest way for you to learn about something. Here are other common Filipino questions you need to be familiar with.
4. Phrases To Use When Explaining Absences and Tardiness
As much as we all love learning and would never want to be late or absent, there are times when we can’t help but miss school. This is where the importance of knowing how to provide reasons for your absence or delay comes in.
Reasonable Excuses
Pasensya na po kayo kung hindi ako nakapasok kahapon. | “I apologize for not being able to attend yesterday.” |
Ipagpaumanhin niyo po kung nahuli ako sa klase. | “I’m sorry if I’m late for class.” |
Masama po ang pakiramdam ko kahapon. | “I wasn’t feeling well yesterday.” |
May importante po kaming lakad. | “We had an important thing to attend to.” |
Wala pong magbabantay sa kapatid ko. | “No one’s around to look after my younger sibling.” |
Nasiraan po ang sinasakyan kong bus. | “The bus I took broke down.” |
Bumaha po sa kalye namin kaya hindi ako makalabas. | “Our street was flooded, so I couldn’t go out.” |
Somewhat Silly Excuses
There are valid excuses for being late or absent, and there are somewhat silly ones. But believe it or not, a lot of students still use them. You can’t fool teachers, though, especially the more experienced ones. Years of teaching have honed their intuition and will instantly know if you’re just making up your reasons for being tardy.
Namatay po ang lola ng nanay ko. | “My mom’s grandma passed away.” *This is one of the most abused reasons for being absent in school. Students use this all the time since teachers rarely verify the truth of the claim considering that it’s a sensitive issue. The claim becomes suspect, though, if the same student has used it more than a couple of times. The teacher would then ask, Andami mo naman yatang lola? (“It seems that you have too many grandmothers.”) |
Hindi po natuyo ang mga damit ko. | “My clothes didn’t dry all the way.” |
Hindi po nag-alarm yung orasan namin. | “Our alarm clock didn’t go off.” |
Naiwan ko po sa dyip ang takdang-aralin ko. | “I left my homework in the passenger jeepney.” |
Namatay po ang pinsan ng lolo ko. | “My grandpa’s cousin died.” |
Nakatulog ako sa tren at bumaba sa maling istasyon. | “I fell asleep on the train and woke up at the wrong station.” |

Hindi po nag-alarm yung orasan namin. (“Our alarm clock didn’t go off.”)
- ➜ Learning how to give an excuse is an important aspect of good communication. In our lesson What’s Your Filipino Excuse, we share with you tips on how to give reasons for not being able to do something.
5. When Talking About Your Favorite Subjects
In the Philippines, most of the names of school subjects are in English. Most have Filipino translations, but they are only used in written communication and seldom in daily conversations. For instance, you won’t hear your classmate say Nagawa mo ba ang proyekto natin sa Sikolohiya? Instead, it’s Nagawa mo ba ang project natin sa Psychology? (“Were you able to work on our project in psychology?”).
However, it’s still important to learn the Filipino equivalent of the names of common school subjects since they are what you will use when writing formal or academic papers in Filipino. Here’s a list of these subjects and their equivalent in English:
List of Subjects
Wika at Gramatika/Balarila | Language and Grammar |
Matematika | Mathematics |
Agham / Siyensiya | Science |
Kimika | Chemistry |
Pisika | Physics |
Musika at Sining | Music and Arts |
Araling Panlipunan | Social Studies |
Sikolohiya | Psychology |
Ekonomika | Economics |
Relihiyon at Etika | Religion and Ethics |
Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan | Home Economics and Livelihood Education |
Talking about school subjects:
Simulan na natin ang proyekto natin sa Araling Panlipunan. | “Let’s start working on our project in Social Studies.” |
Tulungan mo ako sa bagong paksa na tinalakay natin sa Wika at Gramatika. | “Please help me with the new lesson we discussed in Language and Grammar.” |
Magaling ako sa Musika at Sining. | “I’m good at Music and Arts.” |
Wala tayong takdang-aralin sa Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan. | “We don’t have homework in Home Economics and Livelihood Education.” |
- ➜ You can learn more essential vocabulary for talking about school supplies here!
6. When Talking About Common School Supplies
School supplies are often a subject of daily conversations, which is why it’s so important to learn this type of classroom vocabulary in Filipino. Below is a list of Tagalog words describing the names of writing and learning tools and their English translation.
Lapis | Pencil |
Aklat/Libro | Book |
Papel | Paper |
Kuwaderno | Notebook |
Pantasa | Sharpener |
Gunting | Scissors |
Pangkulay | Coloring Pen |
Panukat | Ruler |
Polder | Folder |
Pandikit | Glue |
Pambura | Eraser |
Kalkuleytor | Calculator |
Baunan | Lunch Box |
Pisara | Blackboard |
Tisa | Chalk |
Mesa | Table |
Silya / Upuan | Chair |
And here are a few examples of how to talk about the objects in the list above:
Pwede bang makahiram ng lapis? | “May I borrow a pencil?” |
Nawawala ang pambura ko. | “My eraser is missing.” |
Pahiram naman ng libro mo sa Balarila. | “Let me borrow your grammar book.” |
Hindi ko yata nadala ang kuwaderno ko. | “I don’t think I brought my notebook with me.” |
Pwede daw gumamit ng kalkuleytor sabi ni titser. | “Teacher said we can use a calculator.” |

Pwede daw gumamit ng kalkuleytor sabi ni titser. (“Teacher said we can use a calculator.”)
7. How FilipinoPod101 Can Help
This guide has introduced you to basic Filipino classroom phrases that will surely help enhance your classroom experience. Here, you have learned how to greet your teachers and classmates in Tagalog, how to ask for clarifications, and how to express yourself when giving reasons for tardiness and absences. You also learned common instructions and commands used by teachers inside the classroom. And finally, you learned how to talk about school subjects.
Did we miss anything that you believe should be in this guide too? Let us know in the comments!
And if you want to learn more than just Tagalog classroom phrases, we highly recommend that you sign up for a free lifetime account here at FilipinoPod101 where you can experience innovative Filipino language learning and learn all you need to know about Filipino. That includes grammar, pronunciation, basic sentences, frequently used vocabulary, and other important Filipino lessons you will need in your language learning journey. All this while finding out more about Filipino culture too!
For a more strategic approach to online Filipino learning, we also have MyTeacher, a premium feature we offer students who want to receive one-on-one coaching from an actual Filipino teacher. Don’t wait! Join FilipinoPod101 today and enjoy innovative language learning!

Essential Filipino Restaurant Phrases For a Great Dining Experience

The Philippines has so many good restaurants. And when we say that, we mean that traditional Filipino food is not only unparalleled in taste and quality but that there are many places to eat in the country that let you experience authentic Filipino cuisine. For a foreigner visiting the Philippines, the overall quality of your experience eating at a Filipino restaurant is determined not only by the quality of the restaurant itself but also by how well you are familiar with Filipino restaurant phrases.
Knowing how to book a restaurant, compliment a staff, or order food in Filipino may not be vital but can significantly improve your overall experience dining at a Filipino restaurant. For that reason, we made this guide just for you. Here, you will learn how to make a reservation at your favorite restaurant in the Philippines, converse with the waiter, ask for the bill, give a tip, and much more!

The Philippines has so many good restaurants.

- Making Dining Plans
- Time to Dine
- After Dining
- Tipping Etiquette
- Learn More Than Just Filipino Restaurant Phrases with FilipinoPod101!
1. Making Dining Plans
Depending on which restaurant you plan to visit, you may have to make reservations in advance. The best restaurants in big cities like Manila are usually full, so you’d want to find out first which days there aren’t a lot of customers. A simple check on Google will show you the opening hours and popular times of a restaurant you’re considering. For instance, the award-winning Spiral restaurant at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, known for its Filipino international dining, is usually busy on Saturdays during lunch, among other times.
For regular restaurants, a reservation is usually not necessary. However, it’s not unusual to find yourself in long queues occasionally, especially during the weekends.
Booking a restaurant in the Philippines isn’t that complicated. Thanks to the Internet, you can now find all the information you need about the restaurant of your choice online. Most restaurants have a social media page where you will find details on how to make a booking.
The following are some useful phrases you can use whenever you want to make a reservation at a Filipino restaurant, plus questions you can ask to get more information about the restaurant.
Gusto ko po sanang magpareserba para sa tatlong tao. | “I’d like to make a reservation for three people.” |
Posible bang ipareserba ang buong restawran? | “Is it possible to book the whole restaurant?” |
Magpapareserba sana ako para mamayang gabi. | “I’d like to make a reservation for this evening.” |
Para sa darating na Biyernes. | “For this coming Friday.” |
Sa ika-sampu ng Enero, alas siyete ng gabi. | “On January 10th, at 7 in the evening.” |
Bukas ba kayo ng Linggo? | “Are you open on Sunday?” |
Anong oras kayo nagbubukas? | “What time do you open?” |
Hanggang anong oras kayo? | “Until what time are you open?” |
Pwede ba ang mga bata? | “Are children welcome?” |
Lima kami, kasali na ang isang bata. | “There are five of us, including one child.” |
Kung maaari ay yung malapit sa bintana. | “If possible, a table near the window, please.” |
May mga mesa ba kayo sa labas? | “Do you have some tables outdoors?” |
Marami bang kumakain kapag Sabado? | “Is it usually full on Saturdays?” |
May parking ba para sa PWD? | “Do you have parking spaces for PWDs?” |
May daanan ba para sa wheelchair? | “Do you have wheelchair access?” |

Posible bang ipareserba ang buong restawran? (“Is it possible to book the whole restaurant?”)
- ➜ You don’t want to approach your first Filipino restaurant experience empty-handed. Learn how to choose menu items in Filipino even before you pick up that phone to make a reservation!
2. Time to Dine
Restaurant culture in the Philippines is the same as in any culture in the world. There will be waiters and waitresses to take your order and assist you. Depending on the restaurant, there may also be complimentary drinks and appetizers. But regardless of where you choose to dine, your entire dining experience will start with you asking for the menu.
Do you need to be familiar with Filipino food vocabulary? Not necessarily, although it’s going to help. We have a couple of lessons here and here that will help you become more familiar with words and phrases related to food.
1- Before Placing Your Order
You can get the waiter’s attention simply by saying “Weyter,” which means “waiter” in Filipino. And if the one serving you is a female, you can simply address her as “Miss.” You can then follow that up by using any of the following phrases:
Pwede ko bang makita ang menu? | “Can I see the menu?” |
Gusto ko pong makita ang menu. | “I would like to see the menu.” |
Pakiabot po ng menu. | “Please give us the menu.” |
Patingin po ng menu. | “Please show us the menu.” |
Ano ang specialty niyo dito? | “What’s your specialty in this restaurant?” |
Ano ang pinakasikat niyong pagkain dito? | “What’s your most popular dish?” |
Anong mairerekumenda mo? | “What would you recommend?” |
Mairerekumenda mo ba ito? | “Would you recommend this?” |

- ➜ If you’re eating as a walk-in guest, restaurant staff may ask you a couple of questions, like how many of you are there and where you may like to be seated. Be sure to take this lesson on how to get a seat in a restaurant so you’ll know how to respond with no hesitations.
2- When You’re Ready to Order
So, you’re ready to order. If that’s the case, you will need to learn the following expressions so you’ll know what to say to the staff assisting you when it’s time for you to place your order.
Handa na kaming umorder. | “We’re ready to order.” |
U-order na kami. | “We are ordering now.” |
Pakikuha ng order namin. | “Please take our order.” |
Bigyan mo kami nito. | “Please give us this one.” |
Gusto ko nito. | “I’d like to have this one.” |
Dalawa nito. | “Two of these.” |
Isang basong tubig. | “A glass of water.” |
May kasama bang inumin ito? | “Are drinks included?” |
May karne ba ito ng baboy? | “Does this one have pork in it?” |
Pwede mo bang ulitin ang order namin? | “Can you please repeat our order?” |
Gaano po katagal namin kailangang maghintay sa pagkain? | “How long do we have to wait for the food?” |
Ikaw? Anong gusto mo? | “How about you? What do you want?” |
- ➜ “Can I see the menu?” Our lesson on how to order at a restaurant breaks down this common expression so that you understand what each word means in Filipino. Plus, get to learn other alternatives you can use.
3- Making Special Requests
There are times when you need to make special requests when eating at a restaurant. Perhaps you need to ask for more wine. Maybe you want more than just some good, basic Filipino food. Or maybe you want to let the staff know you’re allergic to certain ingredients. Whatever it is, here are expressions you can use to convey your intentions.
Pwedeng magpadagdag ng ____? | “Could I get another ___?” |
Pakibigyan kami ng isa pang pares ng kutsara at tinidor. | “Please give us another pair of spoons and forks.” |
Pakidagdagan ang table napkin. | “Please add more table napkins.” |
Bawal ako sa hipon. | “I am allergic to shrimp.” |
Kaunting bawang lang kung maaari. | “Not a lot of garlic, please.” |
Gusto kong palitan ito ng _____. | “I would like to replace this one with _____.” |
Pwede ko bang palitan ito ng _____? | “Can I replace this one with _____?” |
Pakipalitan ito ng ______. | “Please replace this one with _____.” |
Gusto ko pa ng wine kung maaari. | “I would love some more wine, please.” |
Pwede mo ba kaming malipat sa ibang mesa? | “Can you move us to another table?” |
4- Time for Dessert!
A visit to a good Filipino restaurant is not complete without dessert. Here’s what a simple conversation may look like between you and the staff when they ask you if you’d like to have some.
A: Natuwa po ba kayo sa pagkain? (“Did you enjoy your meal?”) B: Oo, natuwa kami nang husto. (“Yes, we enjoyed it a lot.”) A: Gusto niyo po ba ng panghimagas? (“Would you like some dessert?”) B: Sige, anong meron? (“Sure, what have you got.”) A: Mayroon kaming halo-halo, minatamis na saging, ube halaya, at maja blanca. (“We have halo-halo, sweetened banana, ube halaya, and maja blanca.”) B: Ano yung minatamis na saging? (“What’s minatamis na saging?”) A: Saging na saba na nilagyan ng arnibal at maskubadong asukal. (“It’s Saba banana with syrup and muscovado sugar.”) B: Sige, bigyan mo kami niyan. Salamat! (“Okay, please give us that one. Thanks!”) |
5- Making Complaints and Giving Compliments
No restaurant is perfect, and every once in a while, you may find it necessary to voice out your concern regarding food or service quality. At the same time, it’s important to offer a compliment whenever it’s appropriate.
Medyo maalat ang sabaw. | “The soup is a bit salty.” |
Kulang sa lasa ang paella. | “The paella lacks flavor.” |
Masyadong matamis. | “It’s too sweet.” |
Medyo matabang. | “It’s a bit bland.” |
Tamang-tama ang timpla ng luto niyo. | “The flavor is perfect.” |
Sobrang sarap ng mga pagkain dito. | “The food here is so delicious!” |
Siguradong kakain ulit ako dito! | “I’ll be eating here again for sure!” |
Salamat sa pag-asista sa amin ngayong gabi. | “Thank you for assisting us this evening.” |
- ➜ Learning how to make complaints in Filipino is crucial as it will teach you the right words to use and the right tone and approach when voicing out your concern. And yes, we have a lesson for that!

Gusto ko nito. (“I’d like to have this one.”)
3. After Dining
You’re done with your meal, and you’re ready to leave. You can either go directly to the cashier to pay for your food or call the waiter’s attention to have your bill delivered to your table. Use the following phrases to let the staff know that you’re ready to pay for your food.
Magbabayad na kami. | “We are going to pay now.” |
Pakibigay na lang ng bill namin. | “Our bill, please.” |
Handa na kaming magbayad. | “We are ready to pay.” |
Pakibalot ng isang ito. | “Can I have a to-go box for this one, please?” Lit. “Please wrap this up.” |
Tumatanggap ba kayo ng card? | “Do you accept card payments?” |
Hahatiin namin ang bayad. | “We’re going to split the bill.” |
- ➜ Want to share your dining experience at a Filipino restaurant online? Before you do that, be sure to take our lesson first on must-know social media phrases about having dinner with friends!
4. Tipping Etiquette
The Philippines has a non-tipping culture, so you don’t have to oblige yourself to give a tip. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be appreciated if you did. Feel free to leave a tip if you feel that the food and the service were excellent. In the same manner, don’t feel pressured to leave any tips if you feel that you don’t have to. Just keep in mind that some restaurants may have a no-tipping policy. To be sure, you can use the following phrases to ask whether tipping is allowed or express your intention to leave a tip.
Tumatanggap ba kayo ng tip? | “Do you accept tips?” |
Saan pwedeng magbigay ng tip? | “Where do I leave a tip?” |
Gusto ko sanang magbigay ng tip. | “I would like to leave a tip.” |
Nag-iwan ako ng tip para sa iyo. | “I left a tip for you.” |

Tumatanggap ba kayo ng tip? (“Do you accept tips?”)
- ➜ Asking for the check in Filipino isn’t as simple as it sounds. It’s a good thing we have a lesson to help you learn all the necessary words and expressions for perfecting this simple request.
5. Learn More Than Just Filipino Restaurant Phrases with FilipinoPod101!
Being able to speak Tagalog and know common restaurant phrases in Filipino will make life easier for you when you’re eating at a Filipino restaurant. In this guide, you’ve learned some of the most useful Filipino expressions to use when making reservations, ordering food, and tipping at a restaurant. Are there other words and phrases you wish we have included on this list? Let us know in the comments section.
If you love this guide, consider signing up for a free lifetime account at FilipinoPod101 where you can learn more than just Tagalog restaurant phrases. Here, you can learn and master everything about the Filipino language, including grammar, pronunciation, sentence structure, and of course, Filipino culture. Plus, you’ll learn how to use Tagalog in various scenarios in daily life. And did we mention that you can enjoy studying all this in a fun and innovative way?
Speaking of innovation, what will make your experience with FilipinoPod101 even more exciting is the MyTeacher feature, a Premium service that lets you learn Filipino at your own pace and with the guidance of an actual Filipino teacher. So, what are you waiting for? Join FilipinoPod101 today and start speaking Filipino like a local!

The Ultimate Guide To Filipino Conversation Skills

Filipino conversation skills are important to learn when you’re studying the Filipino language. One reason is that conversations play a significant role in language development. Not only will it help you express your thoughts and ideas, but it will also improve your listening skills. After all, conversation skills are about being able to talk fluently and knowing how to listen well at the same time. In other words, you’ll learn more about the Filipino language in actual conversations than inside the classroom.
With that, you’ll need something to help you get started. In this guide, you will find the resources you need to improve your conversation skills. You’ll specifically learn how to create a script that you can use to introduce yourself confidently. You’ll also learn which exact reaction phrases, filler words, conversation starters, and questions to use and when.
When you’ve mastered all that, meeting new people and making new friends, whether in school or at work, will no longer be one of your concerns.


- Crafting Your Language Profile
- Filipino Reaction Words & Expressions
- Filipino Filler Words
- Common Questions and Answers in Filipino
- Filipino Conversation Starters
- Tips for Improving Your Conversation Skills
- How FilipinoPod101 Can Help
1. Crafting Your Language Profile
There are two things to consider when creating and developing your language profile:
- It must be relevant.
- It must fit your context.
You might ask, “Relevant to what?” When making a language cheat sheet (an appropriate term to describe a language profile), you want to ensure that it’s practical. It’s easy to get examples of phrases and expressions from textbooks. Still, the question is, do they apply to you and your circumstance?
One question you’d want to ask is: “In what context will I be able to benefit most from my language profile?” There could be hundreds or even thousands of answers to that one question, but the most common situation you’ll be able to use a language cheat sheet is when you’re meeting new people. For that reason, it makes sense to build your language profile around this idea.
Here’s what a language profile in Filipino may look like:
Ako nga pala is Rene, tatlumpung-taong gulang mula sa Australia. Nandito ako sa Pilipinas para mag-aral. Kumuha ako ng kurso sa Business sa isang unibersidad dito sa Maynila. Magta-tatlong taon na ako dito. Ang karaniwang ginagawa ko sa bakanteng oras ko ay magbasa. Minsan, namamasyal ako sa mga museo at sa mga makasaysayang lugar sa siyudad kasama ang mga kaibigan ko. |
“I am Rene, thirty years old from Australia. I am here in the Philippines to study. I took a Business course at a university here in Manila. I have been here for three years. What I usually do during my spare time is read books. Sometimes, I visit museums and historical places in the city with my friends.” |
- ➜ Want to know how to introduce yourself in perfect Tagalog? Check out our audio lesson on Introducing Yourself in Filipino!
As you can see, you can start with a quick self-introduction and then follow it up with other interesting details, such as what you do for a living or where you go to school. You can change some of the details depending on your specific context and the situation. Here are a few ideas:
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Now that you have an idea of how to craft your language cheat sheet let’s get it on with phrases and expressions you will need to improve your conversation skills.
2. Filipino Reaction Words & Expressions
Filipinos can be emotional. We love expressing ourselves and have so many words and phrases to help us convey what we feel. From feelings of love, being surprised, frustrated, or amused, you can rest assured that there’s a Filipino word for it. In this section, we will look at some of the most common expressions you can use as responses to a conversation starter. For instance, how would you respond when someone shares with you some good news? How about when someone tells you about an awful experience they’ve had?
Really?
A: Namili ako ng mga halaman kahapon. (“I went to buy some plants yesterday.”) B: Talaga? Anong mga binili mo? (“Really? What kind of plants did you buy?”) B: Talaga? Sama ako sa’yo sa susunod! (“Really? Let me come with you next time!”) |
Ayos lang ako.
A: Kumusta ka? Antagal nating hindi nagkita. (“How are you? It’s been a long time.”) B: Ayos lang ako. Ikaw? (“I’m fine. And you?”) A more formal way to respond to Kumusta ka? would be Mabuti, which means “good” or “fine.” |
Oo, tama ka.
A: Ikaw yung bago naming kapitbahay, diba? (“You’re our new neighbor, right?”) B: Oo, tama ka. Kumusta? (“Yes, you’re right. How are you?”) A: Ito ba ang sinasabi mong kailangang baguhin? (“Is this the one you said that needs editing?”) B: Oo, tama ka. Maraming salamat. (Yes, you’re correct. Thank you so much.”) |
Ayos yan ah!
A: Alam mo bang na-promote ako sa trabaho? (“Did you know that I was promoted at work?”) B: Ayos yan ah! Dapat kumain tayo sa labas. (That’s awesome! We eat out and celebrate.”) |
Pasensya na.
A: Baka gusto mong makipagpalitan ng shift? (“I was wondering if you would swap shifts.”) B: Pasensya na, may aasikasuhin ako sa Sabado. (“I’m sorry, but I have something to do on Saturday.”) |
Naku!
A: Nagkasakit daw ang nanay niya. (“He said his mom is sick.”) B: Naku! Sana gumaling siya kaagad. (“Oh my! I hope she gets better soon.”) |
Grabe!
A: Sabi niya sinigawan daw siya nung lalaki kaya niya sinuntok. (“He said the guy shouted at him, which is why he punched him.”) B: Grabe! Ginawa niya yun? (“Gosh! He actually did that?”) |
Astig!
A: Dumating na yung mga binili kong komiks! (“The comic books I ordered are here!”) B: Astig! Tara tignan natin! (“Cool! C’mon, let’s take a look at them.”) |
Ay sayang!
A: Hindi natuloy ang lakad namin kasi nag-lockdown. (“Our trip was cancelled due to the lockdown.”) B: Ay sayang! Sige lang, sa ibang araw na lang siguro. (“Aw, too bad. That’s fine. Some other time, perhaps.” |
- ➜ These are just a few reaction words and phrases to get you started. Be sure to check out our blog entry on Intermediate Filipino Phrases to learn more!

Grabe! Ginawa niya yun? (“Gosh. He actually did that?”)
3. Filipino Filler Words
Regardless of how much you’ve practiced your Tagalog, and no matter how prepared you are, there will be times that you will struggle with remembering certain words. That’s where fillers come in. Fillers are unacceptable when you’re making a speech, but they serve a purpose when you’re having casual conversations. Filler words may seem meaningless, but they can save you from a lot of embarrassment by giving you a chance to think of what to say next. The following are some of the most common Filipino filler words to help you sound like a local.
Filipino: Ano… | English equivalent: “Uhm…” (Literally “What”) |
Bigyan mo ako nung ano…yung matamis na kulay dilaw na kendi. (“Please give me one of those…uhm…sweet yellow candies.”) Si ano…nakalimutan ko na pangalan niya. (“Uhm…him…I forgot his name.”) |
Filipino: Diba? | English equivalent: “Right?” (Literally “Isn’t it?”) |
Nakapunta na ako dun, diba? Diba? Bakit di ko maalala? (“I’ve already been there, right? Right? Why can’t I remember?”) Binigay ko sa’yo yung susi diba? Nakita niyo na binigay ko diba? Diba? (“I gave you the keys, right? You guys saw that I did give it to her, right? Right?”) |
Filipino: Kuwan? | English equivalent: “Uhm?” (Literally “That thing”) |
Yung inorder mo online…kuwan…dumating na kanina. (“That thing you ordered online…uhm…it arrived earlier.”) Nahanap mo na ba yung kuwan…yung charger ng telepono ko? (“Were you able to find the…uhm…my cellphone charger?”) |
Filipino: Ay | English equivalent: “Oh?” / “Aww” |
Ay. Bakit di matutuloy? (“Aww. How come it’s not happening?”) Ay, oo nga no? (“Oh, you’re right.”) |
Filipino: Parang | English equivalent: “It’s like” (Literally “Supposedly”) |
Yung parang…gusto mo siyang gawin pero ang hirap. (“It’s like…you want to do it, but it’s hard.”) Parang ano…basta…kalimutan mo na lang. (“It’s like…nevermind.”) |
Filipino: Kasi | English equivalent: “It’s because…uhm” |
Kasi…ano…wala ako sa bahay kahapon. “It’s because…uhm…I wasn’t home yesterday.” Ano kasi…sinamahan niya lang ako. Magkaibigan lang talaga kami. “Uhm…he just accompanied me. We’re just friends, really.” |
Filipino: Ayun | English equivalent: “So…yeah” / “There it is” |
Kaya ayun…nag taxi na lang kami. “So yeah…we just took the taxi.” Ayun! Naalala ko na. Bernard ang pangalan niya. “There it is! I remember now. His name’s Bernard.” |

Ayun! Naalala ko na. Bernard ang pangalan niya. “There it is! I remember now. His name’s Bernard.”
- ➜ There are over a dozen Filipino filler words that you could learn besides the ones on this list. You can find more here.
4. Common Questions and Answers in Filipino
Questions make conversations interesting and meaningful. In fact, most exchanges are initiated by asking questions. From the very basic “How are you” to more complex and more personal queries, here are some Filipino questions you can use to start a conversation and some common responses to come with them.
“How are you?”
Q: Kumusta ka? A: Mabuti naman. Salamat. (“I’m fine. Thank you.”) A: Ayos lang ako. Ikaw, kumusta ka naman? (“I’m doing great. How about you?”) |
“What’s your name?”
Q: Anong pangalan mo? A: Samuel. Ikaw? (“Samuel. And you?”) A: Lenny ang pangalan ko. Ikinagagalak kitang makilala. (“My name is Lenny. I’m glad to meet you.”) |
“How did you learn to speak Tagalog?”
Q: Paano ka natuto magsalita ng Tagalog? A: Sumali ako sa FilipinoPod101 (“I joined FilipinoPod101.”) A: Kalahating Pilipino ang tatay ko. (“My father is half-Filipino.”) |
“Where are you from?”
Q: Taga saan ka? A: Sa Paris ako lumaki, pero mag-iisang dekada na ako dito sa bansa. (“I grew up in Paris, but I’ve been in the country for almost a decade now.”) A: Taga Austria ang pamilya ko. (“My family is from Austria.”) |
“Do you know how to speak Tagalog?”
Q: Marunong kang mag-Tagalog? A: Oo, kaunti. Kakalipat ko lang dito. (“Yes, just a bit. I just moved here.”) A: Oo naman. Matagal na ako dito sa Pilipinas. (“Yes, of course. I’ve been here in the Philippines for a long time.”) |
“What have you been up to lately?”
Q: Anong mga pinagkakaabalahan mo ngayon? A: Nagtuturo ako ng gitara sa mga bata tuwing Sabado. (“I teach kids how to play the guitar on Saturdays.”) A: Tinatapos ko ang thesis ko. (“I’m finishing my thesis.”) |
“Where did you finish your studies?”
Q: Saan ka nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral? A: Sa Kyoto University ako nagtapos. (“I graduated from Kyoto University.”) A: Ngayong taon pa lang ako magtatapos. (“I’m only graduating this year.”) |
“What made you consider studying Filipino?”
Q: Bakit mo naisipang mag-aral ng Pilipino? A: Napamahal na ako sa Pilipinas kaya naisipan kong aralin ang wika at kultura nito. (“I fell in love with the Philippines, so I decided to learn its language and culture.”) A: Nais kong dito na bumuo ng pamilya. (“I decided that this is where I will start a family.”) |

Anong mga pinagkakaabalahan mo ngayon? (“What have you been up to lately?”)
- ➜ For a complete guide on asking and responding to questions in Tagalog, read our blog entry on Common Questions in Filipino and How to Answer Them.
5. Filipino Conversation Starters
Filipinos are great at conversations. Whether you’re attending a social gathering, having lunch at school or the workplace, or simply doing your grocery shopping, you want to be ready anytime in case you meet a Filipino friend who wants to have a chat.
Here are conversation starters to help build your confidence.
- Kumusta ang unang araw mo dito?
“How’s your first day here?”
- Matagal na kayong magkakilala ni Anne?
“How long have you and Anne known each other?”
Lit. “Have you and Anne known each other for a long time?”
- Kumusta? Pwede ba akong sumabay sa inyong kumain?
“Hi. How are you? Is it okay if I join you for a meal?”
- Kumain ka na ba?
“Have you eaten already?”
- Kumain tayo sa labas pagkatapos ng trabaho.
“Let’s eat out after work.
- Nagawa mo ba iyong takdang-aralin natin sa Accounting?
“Were you able to work on our assignment for Accounting?
- Mahilig ka din bang magbasa?
“Do you also like to read?”
- Nakikinig ka din ba ng mga podcast?
“Do you also listen to podcasts?”
- ➜ While you can survive with just a dozen conversation starters, knowing more than that would be more reassuring. That’s why we prepared A Practical Guide on How to Start a Conversation in Filipino beforehand.
6. Tips for Improving Your Conversation Skills
There is no best way for improving Filipino conversation skills. However, you will feel more confident conversing with the locals when you have mastered the basic rules. Here are simple techniques you can apply in both formal and informal situations.
1- Listen Before You Speak
Conversations are sometimes more about listening than talking. One of the best ways to improve your conversation skills is by practicing active listening. It’s all about being present in the conversation and paying careful attention to what the other person says. People with good communication skills don’t simply wait for their turn to speak but ensure that they register what they hear.
A great way to stay focused is to paraphrase what your conversation partner is saying back to them. For instance, if someone is talking about wanting to go to the beach, you might say, “So, it’s been a long time since you’ve been to the beach? Which place do you want to visit when you have the opportunity?”
2- Find Common Ground
Nothing keeps a conversation going than when you and your partner are talking about things that both of you love, whether general preferences, activities, or hobbies. Try talking about what you’re passionate about and see whether the other person responds. If it turns out there’s nothing common between you two, it’s still possible to get the conversation going by sharing how you feel. This approach is called pivoting. Rather than simply focusing on facts, you try to steer the conversation to emotions.
A: I went to the National Museum yesterday.
B: Oh, great. I seldom visit such places myself, but there’s something special about learning your country’s history, would you agree?
A: I agree. It’s an entirely unique experience. There’s something about it that opens your mind to a new world.
B: I understand what you mean…[continue sharing]
3- Move Past Small Talk With Personal Questions
Small talk helps you get the conversation started, and that’s it. After a while, it can get uninteresting. Find an opportunity to move past it toward more meaningful, or if possible, more personal topics. Try asking questions that ask for the other person’s opinions, such as “What did you think about the conference?” Or, go for questions that give the other person a chance to talk about their passion, desires, and ambitions. For example, you can ask, “How come you’re so passionate about what you do?”
4- Practice As Often As You Can
Conversation skills are so-called for a reason. They require practice for you to get better at them. To get better at them, you need to practice every chance you get. If the idea intimidates you, remind yourself that you’re learning a new language and that it’s not about perfection but about being relevant. Remind yourself that it’s about being yourself, that it’s not about being someone you’re not.
5- Be Approachable
Striking a conversation with a person you’ve met for the first time can be scary. After all, you don’t want people to discover that you’re yet to master their language. However, the only way for you to be really good at the language you’re learning is to have conversations with people who speak that language, whether or not you know them.
Appearing confident and approachable plays a huge role when you’re talking to new people. Standing straight, looking at the other person’s eye, and smiling can all make a big difference.
6- Be Authentic
It’s tempting to want to focus on being witty when you’re having a conversation. People tend to gravitate toward quick-witted individuals, don’t they? However, rather than trying to sound funny or clever, you’d want to be genuine and authentic. Your goal for having a conversation is for other people to know who you truly are, so be yourself. It’s going to be less stressful and will take so much pressure off of you.
7- Don’t Be Afraid To Take A Break
Finally, always remember that it’s okay to take a break when you’re nervous or anxious. Avoid speaking too fast just to get the entire thing over with as soon as possible. This will only cause you to lose your focus, stammer, and say the wrong thing. Take things slowly. If you need to speak slowly, do so. It’s also important to remove yourself from a situation that’s causing you to have social burnout. If you’re in a social gathering, politely tell the other person or persons that you need to go somewhere for a while and return when you’re ready to talk again. Or if you need to leave early, just express your intention kindly and leave.

Be genuine and authentic in a conversation. It will take so much pressure off of you.
7. How FilipinoPod101 Can Help
Your Tagalog conversation skills play an integral role in your ability to express yourself when conversing in Filipino. In this guide, you learned exactly how to take those skills to another level. One is by learning how to craft your personal language profile (or cheat sheet as we call it). Another is by familiarizing yourself with various expressions to use in various circumstances. Did we forget to add anything? Let us know in the comments section!
Meanwhile, why don’t you join FilipinoPod101 and learn more than just how to improve Filipino conversation skills? Here at FilipinoPod101, you can enjoy a wide range of free resources to help you with mastering the Filipino language. Whether it’s audio lessons, vocabulary lists, or blog entries like the one you’re reading right now, you can rest assured that there’s a resource that suits your learning needs.
And did we mention MyTeacher? MyTeacher is a premium feature that provides you with one-on-one coaching with a private teacher. With MyTeacher, you can receive real-time feedback on your progress. That way, you’ll know exactly where you are at every time in your journey of learning the Filipino language!
What are you waiting for? Sign up for a free lifetime account today!

Talking About Your Nationality in Filipino

The Filipino nationality always draws attention. Everywhere they go, Filipinos make a name for themselves, globally and in different industries—thus the term “Filipino pride.” Pride for one’s nationality is not exclusive to Filipinos though. Regardless of your race, when you visit another country, you are always excited to let everyone know where you are from and what your nationality is. The question, however, is whether you know how to introduce yourself in a way that will impress your listeners.
If you’re visiting the Philippines, for instance, a really good way to pique someone’s interest is to let them hear you introduce yourself in Tagalog. That’s what this guide is for. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to ask someone their nationality, how to tell someone what your nationality is, and what common patterns you can use to do so—all in Filipino, of course!

It’s important to have pride in one’s nationality.

- Different Nationalities in the Philippines
- How Do You Ask Someone Their Nationality in Filipino?
- How Do You Tell Someone Your Nationality in Filipino?
- Sentence Structure to Use When Talking About Your Nationality in Filipino
- How FilipinoPod101 Can Help
1. Different Nationalities in the Philippines
1 – Major Ethnolinguistic Groups in the Philippines
Before we proceed to learn how to talk about one’s nationality in Filipino, let’s first explore the different nationalities in the Philippines. While the Philippines is considered one nation, it is made up of over a hundred ethnolinguistic nations—175 to be exact. As an archipelago, the Philippines is composed of 7,640 islands and 18 regions. Each of these regions is represented by different ethnolinguistic groups. The Tagalogs are the largest of these groups, most of whom live within the National Capital Region. The Cebuanos, who inhabit the islands of Cebu, Siquijor, and Bohol, come second.
Here’s an overview of the largest ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines today.
Ethnolinguistic Group | Population | Region |
Tagalog | 30,000,000 | NCR, Calabarzon |
Cebuano | 9,125,637 | Central Visayas |
Ilocano | 8,074,536 | Region I (Ilocos Region) |
Hiligaynon | 7,773,655 | Region VI (Western Visayas), Soccsksargen Region |
Bicolano | 6,299,283 | Region V (Bicol Peninsula) |
Waray | 3,660,645 | Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) |
Zamboangueño | 367,278 | Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) |
Kapampangan | 2,784,526 | Region III (Central Luzon) |
Pangasinense | 1,823,865 | Region I (Ilocos Region) |
Surigaonon | 367,278 | Region XIII (Caraga Region) |
Most of the people from each of these regions can understand and speak Filipino or Tagalog. However, not everyone can understand or speak each other’s local dialects. It’s also not unusual for non-native Tagalog speakers to have their own accent when speaking in Tagalog.
2 – Top Nationalities Visiting the Philippines Every Year
This time, let’s find out which countries the Philippines receives the most visitors from each year. The data below is from 2019, but it should show which countries consider the Philippines a top tourist destination. As you can see, South Korea and China are at the top of the list. They are followed by the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. The country received 8 million tourists in 2019 and currently ranks 51st in the world in terms of tourist numbers.
Country | Visitor Arrival (2019) | Nationality (English) | Nationality (Filipino) |
Philippines | – | Filipino | Pilipino |
South Korea | 1,989,322 | Korean | Koreano |
China | 1,743,309 | Chinese | Tsino/Intsik |
United States | 1,064,440 | American | Amerikano |
Japan | 682,788 | Japanese | Hapon |
Taiwan | 327,273 | Taiwanese | Taiwanese |
Australia | 286,170 | Australian | Australyano |
Canada | 238,850 | Canadian | Canadian |
United Kingdom | 209,206 | British | Briton |
Singapore | 158,595 | Singaporean | Singaporean |
Malaysia | 139,882 | Malaysian | Malay |
India | 134,963 | Indian | Indiyano |
Germany | 103,756 | German | Aleman |
France | 88,577 | French | Pranses |
Spain | 49,728 | Spanish | Espanyol |
Russia | 36,111 | Russian | Ruso |

The thousands of tourists visiting the Philippines each year are a testament to the beauty of the country and the hospitality of its people.
- ➜ Here at FilipinoPod101, we have lessons to help you learn words and phrases related to tourism!
2. How Do You Ask Someone Their Nationality in Filipino?
The Filipino word for “nationality” is nasyonalidad. In the Philippines, when people want to ask about one’s nationality, they either use this word or the Filipino word for “race,” which is lahi. The word dugo or “blood” is also used from time to time. And, since Filipino has both formal and informal speech, it makes sense to learn how to ask someone their nationality in both formal and informal Tagalog.
1 – Formal
It’s not all the time that you’ll encounter a Filipino using formal speech or need to use formal speech yourself. Nevertheless, it’s still essential to familiarize yourself with it. When we speak of formal Filipino, the difference is usually in the types of words used. For instance, instead of saying ipinanganak (“was/were born”), we use isinilang. And, instead of saying pwede (“can”), we use maaari. Let’s see a few examples to understand how this works:
- Maaari mo bang sabihin kung ano ang iyong nasyonalidad?
(“Can you tell what your nationality is?”)
- Maaari bang malaman kung saang bansa ka nanggaling?
(“May I know which country you are from?”)
- Saang bansa ka isinilang?
(“What country were you born in?”)
- Ikaw ba ay isang [nationality]?
(“Are you [nationality]?”)
- Ikaw ba ay may lahing Portuges?
(“Do you have Portuguese blood?”)
- Nais ko po sanang malaman kung ano ang nasyonalidad ninyo.
(“I was wondering if you could tell me what your nationality is.”)
(Literally: “I would like to know what your nationality is.”)
2 – Informal
Another thing that separates informal Filipino from formal Filipino is that it’s often straightforward and may or may not include polite introductory words. That makes the sentences significantly shorter.
- Ano ang nasyonalidad mo?
(“What is your nationality?”)
- [Nationality] ka ba?
(“Are you [nationality]?”)
*Notice that this translates the same way that the formal Ikaw ba ay isang [nationality]? does, but it is less formal and more direct.
- Sa Pilipinas ka ba lumaki?
(“Did you grow up in the Philippines?” / “Were you raised in the Philippines?”)
- Sa aling bansa ka galing?
(“Which country did you come from?”)
(Literally: “In which country did you come from?”)
- Mayroon ka bang lahing Kastila?
(“Do you have Spanish blood?”)

Mayroon ka bang lahing Kastila? (“Do you have Spanish blood?”)
- ➜ How does formal Filipino work? This video lesson will teach you everything you need to know about the subject.
3. How Do You Tell Someone Your Nationality in Filipino?
Talking about your nationality in Tagalog is relatively easy. If you’re comfortable discussing the subject of race or ethnicity with a Filipino friend, here are some sentence patterns you can follow:
- Sa Amerika ako ipinanganak.
(“I was born in America.”)
- Ang aking pagkamamamayan ay Singaporean.
(“My citizenship is Singaporean.”)
- Isa akong Griyego.
(“I am Greek.”)
- Australyano ako, pero sa Inglatera ako lumaki.
(“I am Australian, but I grew up in England.”)
- Dito ako sa Pilipinas ipinanganak, pero sa Dubai na ako lumaki.
(“I was born here in the Philippines, but I spent most of my life in Dubai.”)
- Dual citizen ako ng Amerika, pero isa akong Thai.
(“I’m a dual citizen of America, but I am Thai.”)
- Ruso ako.
(“I am Russian.”)
If you don’t want to talk about your nationality, you can respectfully decline using the following phrases:
- Pasensya ka na pero ayaw kong pag-usapan ang mga ganitong paksa.
“I’m really sorry, but I don’t want to talk about these kinds of topics.”
- Ibang bagay na lang ang pag-usapan natin kung maaari.
“Let’s just talk about something else, if possible.”
- Pwede ba nating baguhin ang paksa?
“Can we change the subject, please?”

Dito ako sa Pilipinas ipinanganak, pero sa Dubai na ako lumaki. (“I was born here in the Philippines, but I spent most of my life in Dubai.”)
- ➜ Knowing how to ask questions and respond to them can help you build your rapport with the right people. Here are 10 fundamental questions and answers in Filipino you should be familiar with.
4. Sentence Structure to Use When Talking About Your Nationality in Filipino
Earlier, we listed the top nationalities visiting the Philippines each year. In this section, we’ve expanded that list to include the capital city and primary language of each country.
From this list, you can develop a basic pattern for speaking about your nationality in Filipino.
Country | Nationality (Filipino) | Capital City | Language(English) | Language(Filipino) |
Philippines | Pilipino | Manila | Filipino | Pilipino |
South Korea | Koreano | Seoul | Korean | Koreano |
China | Tsino/Intsik | Beijing | Mandarin | Mandarin |
United States | Amerikano | Washington, D.C. | English | Ingles |
Japan | Hapon | Tokyo | Japanese | Hapones |
Taiwan | Taiwanese | Taipei | Mandarin | Mandarin |
Australia | Australyano | Canberra | English | Ingles |
Canada | Canadian | Ottawa | English | Ingles |
United Kingdom | British | London | English | Ingles |
Singapore | Singaporean | Singapore | Malay | Malay |
Malaysia | Malay | Kuala Lumpur | Malay | Malay |
India | Indiyano | New Delhi | Hindi | Indiyano |
Germany | Aleman | Berlin | German | Aleman |
France | Pranses | Paris | French | Pranses |
Spain | Espanyol | Madrid | Spanish | Espanyol |
Russia | Ruso | Moscow | Russian | Ruso |
Using the data above, let’s construct a self-introduction that you can use to tell someone what your nationality is. Let’s start with the most common pattern, where you first mention which country you came from.
- Taga Australia ako.
(“I am from Australia.”)
Next, you can mention what your nationality is.
- Isa akong Australyano.
(“I am an Australian.”)
You can also mention which city you live in.
- Nakatira ako sa Canberra.
(“I live in Canberra.”)
After which, you can mention what language you speak.
- Ingles ang pangunahing wikang gamit ko.
(“English is my native language.”)
If you know other languages, you can mention that too.
- Marunong din akong mag-Mandarin.
(“I also know how to speak Mandarin.”)
Putting all of these together, you get the following sentence:
- Isa akong Australyano. Nakatira ako sa Canberra. Ingles ang wikang gamit ko pero marunong din akong mag-Mandarin.
(“I am an Australian. I live in Canberra. English is the primary language I use, but I also know how to speak Mandarin.”)
The following are various other ways to talk about your nationality and the language (or languages) you speak in Filipino.
- Pilipino ako. Ipinanganak ako sa Maynila. Ang wikang gamit ko ay Tagalog.
(“I am a Filipino. I was born in Manila. The language I use is Tagalog.”)
- Koreano ako na lumaki sa Seoul, pero Filipino citizen ako, at marunong akong magsalita ng Ingles at Pilipino.
(“I’m a Korean who was raised in Seoul, but I’m a Filipino citizen, and I know how to speak both English and Filipino.”)
- Amerikano ako, pero sa London na ako namalagi mga dalawang dekada na.
(“I’m an American, but I have been residing in London for two decades now.”)
- Sa New Zealand ako lumaki at namalagi ng mahabang panahon, pero mayroon akong pasaporte ng Pilipinas dahil Pilipino ako.
(“I grew up in New Zealand and lived there for a long time, but I do have a Philippine passport since I am Filipino.”)
- Isa akong Taiwanese. Hindi pa ako masyadong marunong mag Tagalog.
(“I’m Taiwanese. I’m not that fluent in Tagalog yet.”)
- Ang aking mga ninuno ay nagmula sa Tsina, partikular sa Beijing.
(“My ancestors came from China, specifically Beijing.”)
- Singaporean ako na lumaki sa Australia. Marunong akong mag Mandarin at Malay.
(“I’m a Singaporean who grew up in Australia. I am fluent in both Mandarin and Malay.”)
- Pilipino ang tatay ko at Haponesa naman ang nanay ko. Marunong akong magsalita ng Tagalog at Hapones.
(“My dad is Filipino and my mom is Japanese. I know how to speak both Filipino and Japanese.”)
- May lahi akong Pranses at Kastila. Nag-aaral pa lang akong magsalita ng Pilipino.
(“I am of French and Spanish descent. I’m just learning to speak Filipino.”)
- Ayon sa birth certificate ko, sa Ehipto ako ipinanganak. Pero Pilipino talaga ako, at magaling akong mag-Tagalog.
(“According to my birth certification, I was born in Egypt. But I am Filipino, and I can speak Tagalog very well.”
- Sa Moscow ako ipinanganak at lumaki. Ruso ang aking ama at Malay naman ang aking ina.
(“I was born and raised in Moscow. My father is Russian, and my mother is Malay.”)
- Pilipino ako, pero mayroon akong dugong Pranses at Aleman sa panig ng aking ina.
(“I am Filipino, but I have French and German ancestry on my mother’s side.”)
- Swedish ako, pero meron akong Philippine citizenship.
(“I am Swedish, but I have Philippine citizenship.”)

May lahi akong Pranses at Kastila. (“I am of French and Spanish descent.”)
- ➜ Learning how to tell others what your nationality is in Filipino is vital if you wish to communicate like a native. Just as important is learning these 10 basic lines for self-introduction.
5. How FilipinoPod101 Can Help
In this guide, you’ve learned how to say the names of different nationalities in Filipino as well as how to talk about your nationality when introducing yourself. Are there other names of countries and nationalities that you wish had been included here? Let us know in the comments section below!
Before you leave, don’t forget to check out the rest of our blog entries and lessons. Here at FilipinoPod101, you’re sure to find a lesson that’s tailored to your learning needs, whether you’re at the beginner level, intermediate level, or advanced level.
We have free resources and lessons for you to begin with. Video and audio lessons are available so that you don’t just read but also hear how Filipino words are pronounced. We also have slideshows, wordlists, and flashcards designed to help you learn vocabulary words by heart.
And if you want to take things to another level, our MyTeacher service is here for you. Available with a Premium PLUS subscription, MyTeacher provides you with a personal teacher who will give you real-time feedback and guidance so that you can speak fluent Filipino in no time!

Speak Like a True Local with These Advanced Tagalog Phrases

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

Are you ready to take the challenge?

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

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

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

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

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

The Ultimate Guide to Intermediate Filipino Phrases

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

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

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

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

Pasensya ka na pero may gagawin ako sa Sabado. (“I’m sorry, but I have something to do on Saturday.”)
3. I’ll Tell You Why—Giving Explanations and Citing Reasons
You can expect any conversation to reach a point where you’ll have to give an explanation about a choice you made. There’s no specific formula for doing so, as it could be as simple as giving a quick reason or as complex as citing your entire rationale. It helps that the Filipino sentence structure is similar to that of English and that most conjunctions used in English have direct equivalents in Filipino. To get you started, we have listed below a few intermediate phrases in Filipino for giving your reasons.
Ginawa ko iyon dahil yun ang tama. |
I did it because it was the right thing to do. |
Literally: Did I that because it was right. |
Pinili ko ito dahil una sa lahat, alam kong gusto mo ang kulay. Pangalawa, kasya siya sa bulsa mo. At pangatlo, sulit ang presyo. |
I chose this because first of all, I know you love the color. Second, it fits in your pocket. And third, it’s worth the price. |
Literally: Chose I this because first of all, know I like you the color. Secondly, fits it in your pocket. And thirdly, it’s worth the price. |
Sana makasama kayo para marami tayo. |
I hope you can come so we can all have fun. |
Literally: Hopefully you can join so there’s many of us. Most Filipinos are highly extroverted. As they say, the more the merrier! |
Huwag kang maingay para hindi magising ang bata. |
Don’t be too loud so that the baby doesn’t wake up. |
Literally: Don’t you noisy so not wake up the child. |
Napagod ako kaya hindi na ako sumama. |
I was so tired, so I decided to stay. |
Literally: Tired I so didn’t I come along. |
4. …And Why Not—Making Recommendations and Complaints
We’ve established that Filipinos love to share stories. Filipinos are very friendly, and we will share our life experiences even with complete strangers! That’s what makes us great at giving recommendations (and non-recommendations). One thing you should know about giving recommendations and making complaints in Filipino is that we often use full reduplication. Oftentimes, this is to convey intensity or to emphasize how much we liked or disliked an experience. Examine the phrases below along with their literal translations to better understand this concept.