Speak Tagalog
Learning to speak a few handy phrases and words in Tagalog, which is also called Filipino, just might save your life and make vacationing or living in Philippines a lot easier. It can also help in communicating with your Filipino friends and for others from other countries, who want to learn can easily study this language. In this article, you will learn a few common words in Filipino.
Steps
- Learn some common words.
- Thank you: Salamat po
- My name is: Ang pangalan ko ay (name)
- Any: kahit alín - ("Alín" is used as "of these"; Kahit alín is "any of these", but (Alin-can also be used as another word for "What or Which"-as in (Alin? What? or Which?), kahit saan-(Saan-Where/ Kahit Saan- is anywhere), kahit ano-(Ano-thing/ kahit ano is anything) (Any-Kahit)
- Good Morning: Magandáng umaga
- Good Afternoon: Magandáng hapon
- Good evening: Magandáng gabí
- Bye: Paalam
- Thank you very much: Maraming salamat [pô]
- Welcome: Waláng anumán (literally, "Nothing at all")
- Yes: Oo
- Food: Pagkain
- Water: Tubig
- Rice: Kanin
- Delicious: Masaráp
- Beautiful: Maganda
- Ugly: Pangit
- Nice: Mabaít
- Help: Tulong
- Helpful: Matulungín
- Dirty: Marumí
- Clean: Malinis
- Respect: Paggalang
- Respectful: Magalang
- I love you: Mahál kitá
- Mother: Iná/ Ináy/ Nánáy
- Father: Amá/ Itáy/ Tátáy
- Sister (eldest): Ate
- Brother (eldest): Kuyà
- Youngest sibling: Bunsô
- Grandma: Lola
- Grandpa: Lolo
- Uncle: Tito
- Aunt: Tita
- Niece/Nephew: Pamangkín
- Cousin: Pinsan
- Some common sentences:
- I'm Hungry: Gutóm na ako
- Give me some food, please: Pakibigyán niyo po ako ng pagkain.
- The food was delicious: Masaráp ang pagkain.
- Hold a conversation.
- Where is the restroom?: Nasaán ang banyo?
- Yes: Oo (informal) /Opo (Formal)
- No: Hindi/Hindi po.
- Are you ok?: Ayos ka lang ba?
- How are you: Kumusta/ Kamusta ka na?
- I'm fine: Ayos lang.
- How much does it cost: Magkano ba ito?
- Some animals:
- Dog: Aso
- Puppy: Tutà
- Cat: Pusà
- Fish: Isdâ
- Cow: Báka
- Carabao: Kalabáw
- Chicken: Manók
- Monkey: Unggóy
- Counting 1-10:
- 1: isá
- 2: dalawá
- 3: tatló
- 4: apat
- 5: limá
- 6: anim
- 7: pitó
- 8: waló
- 9: siyám
- 10: sampû
Tips
- Learning Tagalog is not hard and it takes a lot less effort than you think so get out there and start learning!
- Tagalog is easy for Spanish and English speakers due to the influence brought by the Spanish and American colonial periods in the Philippines' history.
- Try to get near your Filipino Tagalog-speaking friends or family and converse with them! It will feel embarrassing at first but constant, everyday speech will make you more fluent.
- Say opo/po, which are respectful, formal forms of "yes", when talking to social superiors such as people from an older generation, one's boss or teacher, the President, royalty, and even the Pope. Lack of usage and simply using oo for "yes" is reserved for one's equals, those younger than you, or those of a lower social rank than you.
- Even though Tagalog is easy and fun, be warned that the verb conjunctions and conjugations are difficult.
- While many can speak English, Filipinos generally enjoy and appreciate hearing someone put effort into speaking Tagalog. They will not hesitate to help a foreigner learn proper speech and pronunciation, and are willing to throw in a few words to add to a learner's vocabulary.
- Some words are long, e.g.: kinakatakutan (fearsome) but don‘t worry. Take your time to learn the alphabet, pronunciation, and the accent. Bear in mind that even some Filipinos themselves mispronounce some words, too.
- Try watching Tagalog-language television to hear the language, while enabling subtitles can better give a sense of the tone and nuances when specific phrases or words are spoken.
- In addition, here is how to pronounce letters in Filipino:
- a [ah] as in hArd
- e [eh] as in nEt
- i [ih] as in tEEth
- o [o] as in All
- u [u] as in pOOl
- Also try watching Tagalog programs for children (Sesame Street) they often teach some basic words.
- "Po" is the correct word to show respect. It means "sir" or "ma'am".
Related Articles
- Say Thank You in Tagalog
- Learn the Tagalog Language
- Say Some Common Phrases and Words in Tagalog
