Need useful Filipino or Tagalog phrases for the Philippines? Start with kumusta? (how are you?), salamat (thank you), magandang umaga (good morning), magkano? (how much?) and nasaan ang banyo? (where is the bathroom?). Those expressions help in everyday conversations without needing to memorise long paragraphs.
This guide teaches 50 useful Filipino/Tagalog words and phrases with English meanings, organised by greetings, polite questions, shopping, transport, signs and help. It explains how expressions such as po and opo work, why Filipino is not the country’s only language, and how to use short expressions respectfully in real situations. Use it with colleagues, neighbours, shopkeepers or people you meet anywhere that Filipino is understood.
English is also an official language and widely used in the Philippines. You may hear Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray and other regional languages, too. This page is an introductory guide to common Tagalog-based Filipino expressions, not a claim that every resident uses the same first language.
Quick answer: essential phrases to use immediately
- How are you?: kumusta?
- Good morning: magandang umaga
- Thank you: salamat; respectful form: salamat po
- Yes, respectfully: opo
- Excuse me: paumanhin
- How much is this?: magkano po ito?
- Where is the bathroom?: nasaan ang banyo?
- I do not understand: hindi ko maintindihan
Go directly to: 50 words and phrases · Sample conversations · Common mistakes · Study plan · Frequently asked questions.
What you should know about Filipino (Tagalog-based)
Filipino and English are official languages. The Philippine Constitution identifies Filipino as the national language and Filipino and English as official languages for communication and instruction. Many regional languages are spoken across the islands. This guide uses familiar Tagalog-based Filipino, not a complete representation of every Philippine language.
Use po and opo to express respect. These are especially common when speaking respectfully to elders or people you wish to address politely. Oo means yes; opo is a respectful yes. Adding po can make a request or thanks more courteous, but it does not automatically make an otherwise rude sentence appropriate.
English and Filipino often mix in real life. You may hear sentences that use English words inside Filipino grammar. This is normal in many communities. The core table favours common Filipino words, but practical dialogues may contain familiar borrowed terms such as menu or bus.
Learn the difference between translation and situation. Kumusta is often translated as both ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ but it is an opening question, not exactly the same as ‘magandang umaga’. Paalam is a farewell; ingat expresses ‘take care’. Learn when someone would actually use each phrase.
Pronunciation is worth hearing. Everyday written Filipino is accessible to English readers, but the letter combinations ng, stress placement and vowel sounds need attention. Listen to native speakers and follow the normal accents used in the area where you will interact.
50 useful Filipino (Tagalog-based) words and phrases
The fifty entries are grouped by situations rather than alphabetically. Start with the greetings, then learn the requests you will need most often. The final column tells you what job each word performs in an ordinary exchange. Knowing when to use a phrase is as important as knowing its English meaning.
Greetings, thanks and farewells — 1–10
| # | Filipino / Tagalog expression | Meaning in English | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magandang umaga | Good morning | Greet someone in the morning |
| 2 | Magandang hapon | Good afternoon | Greet someone later in the day |
| 3 | Magandang gabi | Good evening | Greet someone in the evening |
| 4 | Kumusta? | How are you? / hello | Begin a conversation |
| 5 | Mabuti naman | I’m fine / doing okay | Answer how you are |
| 6 | Salamat | Thank you | Express gratitude |
| 7 | Maraming salamat | Thank you very much | Give warmer thanks |
| 8 | Walang anuman | You’re welcome / it’s nothing | Respond to thanks |
| 9 | Paalam | Goodbye | Say farewell |
| 10 | Ingat | Take care | Wish someone well when parting |
Begin with greetings, gratitude and a farewell in one short exchange. The social context helps memory much more than reciting a list without a purpose.
Courtesy, questions and understanding — 11–20
| # | Filipino / Tagalog expression | Meaning in English | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Po | Respect marker | Make a phrase more courteous |
| 12 | Opo | Yes (respectful) | Answer someone politely |
| 13 | Oo | Yes | Affirm an answer |
| 14 | Hindi | No / not | Deny or negate |
| 15 | Pasensya na | Sorry / pardon me | Apologise for an inconvenience |
| 16 | Paumanhin | Excuse me / pardon | Get attention courteously |
| 17 | Pwede po bang magtanong? | May I ask a question? | Begin a polite question |
| 18 | Marunong po ba kayong mag-Ingles? | Can you speak English? (polite) | Look for a shared language |
| 19 | Hindi ko maintindihan | I don’t understand | Ask for clarification |
| 20 | Pakiulit po | Please repeat (respectful) | Ask someone to say it again |
If a reply is unclear, do not guess. Asking for repetition or saying ‘I don’t understand’ helps the interaction continue accurately.
Food, shopping and payment — 21–30
| # | Filipino / Tagalog expression | Meaning in English | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Tubig | Water | Request a drink |
| 22 | Kanin | Cooked rice | Discuss a meal |
| 23 | Pagkain | Food | Ask about eating |
| 24 | Menu | Menu | Ask for choices |
| 25 | Gusto ko po ng … | I would like … (polite) | Order something |
| 26 | Magkano po ito? | How much is this? (polite) | Ask a price |
| 27 | Masarap | Delicious | Comment on food |
| 28 | Hindi maanghang | Not spicy | State a taste preference |
| 29 | May allergy po ako sa … | I am allergic to … (mixed everyday usage) | State the exact allergen |
| 30 | Pwede pong magbayad? | May I pay? (polite) | Offer to settle a bill |
Use the exact item or price when ordering and paying. A food preference is not an allergy guarantee; serious restrictions require clear confirmation.
Finding a place and getting around — 31–40
| # | Filipino / Tagalog expression | Meaning in English | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Saan? | Where? | Ask a basic location question |
| 32 | Nasaan ang …? | Where is …? | Ask for an object or place |
| 33 | Kaliwa | Left | Follow directions |
| 34 | Kanan | Right | Follow directions |
| 35 | Diretso | Straight ahead | Follow directions |
| 36 | Sakay | Ride / board | Talk about getting on transport |
| 37 | Baba | Get off / go down | Discuss getting off |
| 38 | Jeepney | Shared public transport vehicle | Recognise a transport type |
| 39 | Bus | Bus | Find a bus |
| 40 | Istasyon | Station | Ask about a station |
A sign or direction word can be useful even before you speak longer sentences. Practise recognising the written form and finding it in real situations.
Everyday services and signs — 41–50
| # | Filipino / Tagalog expression | Meaning in English | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Banyo | Bathroom / restroom | Ask for facilities |
| 42 | Palikuran | Restroom / toilet | Recognise a more formal term |
| 43 | Ospital | Hospital | Find medical services |
| 44 | Botika | Pharmacy | Find medicines |
| 45 | Pulis | Police officer | Ask for help |
| 46 | Tulong! | Help! | Call for urgent assistance |
| 47 | Bukas | Open / tomorrow (context-dependent) | Read a sign or discuss time |
| 48 | Sarado | Closed | Read a business sign |
| 49 | Resibo | Receipt | Ask for proof of payment |
| 50 | Pera | Money | Discuss a payment |
This group helps when an ordinary routine becomes unfamiliar. Keep the original words visible if you need to ask somebody to help.
Short conversations you can reuse in real life
Speak each line aloud and then change the object, place or situation. A complete exchange involves greeting, asking, checking and responding, not only knowing an isolated word. Real speakers may use different phrasing and levels of formality.
Greeting someone respectfully
- You: Magandang umaga po. — Good morning (respectfully).
- Other person: Kumusta? — How are you?
- You: Mabuti naman. Salamat po. — I’m doing okay. Thank you.
- You: Ingat po. — Take care (respectfully).
The extra po changes the tone of an exchange. It is widely used with elders and other people you wish to address respectfully. The appropriate level of politeness depends on the relationship; a familiar peer may use a more casual form.
Buying something from a shop
- You: Magkano po ito? — How much is this?
- Seller: Limampung piso. — Fifty pesos.
- You: Pwede pong magbayad? — May I pay?
- You: Maraming salamat po. — Thank you very much.
Learn numbers after the basic phrases. The word piso refers to the Philippine peso. For an important transaction, ask to see the exact amount rather than relying on a spoken number you are unsure you heard correctly.
Finding the restroom
- You: Paumanhin, nasaan ang banyo? — Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
- Helper: Sa kanan. — On the right.
- You: Salamat po. — Thank you.
Knowing kaliwa and kanan helps with simple directions. Banyo is common; you may also see palikuran in more formal writing.
When the person replies too quickly
- You: Hindi ko maintindihan. — I don’t understand.
- You: Pakiulit po. — Please repeat.
- You: Pwede po bang magtanong? — May I ask a question?
Asking for repetition is a useful communication skill. You can also request that a time, address or price be written down; it is better to confirm than to agree when you are unsure.
Explaining a food restriction
- You: Hindi maanghang, pakiusap. — Not spicy, please.
- You: May allergy po ako sa … — I am allergic to … (mixed Filipino-English usage).
These statements are not equivalent. Spice preference does not describe allergens. For a serious allergy, show the exact food ingredient in writing and get confirmation about preparation and cross-contact; a beginner phrase is not sufficient proof.
Common mistakes and what to do instead
- Thinking Filipino is everyone’s first language. The Philippines has many regional languages. Filipino is useful, but it should not be used to erase other linguistic identities.
- Using po mechanically or ignoring it everywhere. Respectful address depends on context and relationship.
- Using opo as the standard informal yes. Opo signals respect; oo is the basic yes.
- Assuming every ‘hello’ is an exact translation. Kumusta? is an opening question; magandang umaga is a morning greeting.
- Confusing bukas across contexts. It can mean open or tomorrow, depending on pronunciation, grammatical use and context; read the full notice.
- Using ‘not spicy’ as an allergy statement. Specify ingredients separately and obtain reliable confirmation before eating.
A seven-day practice plan for usable vocabulary
A short daily routine builds stronger recall than rereading a long list. Spend ten to fifteen minutes retrieving the phrase from memory, checking it and using it in a new example. In a language with tone distinctions, rely on native audio alongside writing.
- Day 1: Practise the eight quick-answer phrases without looking at the meanings.
- Day 2: Learn the first ten greetings and rehearse three short polite exchanges.
- Day 3: Practise ‘I don’t understand’, asking for repetition and requesting help.
- Day 4: Simulate a food or shopping conversation, then change the item.
- Day 5: Recognise the words for station, entrance, exit, left and right.
- Day 6: Write and speak five original mini-dialogues using phrases from different groups.
- Day 7: Test all 50 items, check the original expression and revisit uncertain words tomorrow.
How to know that the vocabulary is working
Try a practical test set in the Philippines. Without looking at the list, can you greet someone, explain that you did not understand, ask where something is, recognise a direction and say thank you? Now change the location from a shop to a station, or from a café to an office. When the same phrase helps in a new setting, you have begun learning a flexible communication pattern rather than a memorised script.
Accuracy matters more than pretending to be fluent. A learner who asks someone to repeat an unfamiliar word is often communicating better than someone who confidently guesses. If numbers, health details, appointment times or written instructions matter, use the correct written form and confirm the precise information.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say hello in Filipino?
Kumusta? is a common conversational greeting meaning ‘how are you?’. Magandang umaga means good morning.
How do you say thank you in Tagalog?
Salamat means thank you. Add po for a respectful form: salamat po.
What is the difference between po and opo?
Po is a respectful particle used in many phrases; opo is a respectful way to say yes.
How do you ask the price in Filipino?
Say Magkano po ito? to ask ‘How much is this?’ politely.
How do you ask where the bathroom is?
Nasaan ang banyo? means ‘Where is the bathroom?’
What is the difference between Tagalog and Filipino?
Filipino is the Philippines’ national language and is historically based largely on Tagalog. It continues to develop through the country’s languages and other influences.
Are Filipino and English official languages?
Yes. The 1987 Constitution recognises Filipino and English as official languages for communication and instruction.
Will Tagalog phrases work in all parts of the Philippines?
Filipino is widely understood, but many people use other regional languages as their first language. English may also be useful.
What should I learn after these 50 expressions?
Practise common numbers, particles, pronouns, polite forms and listening to real conversations with speakers from different regions.
Continue reading with eduKate
These are related routes for readers who want more about the country, structured language learning or comparable phrase guides. The local language and its real-life use should remain the priority.
- Everything About the Philippines
- Vocabulary for Indonesia | Essential Everyday Phrases
- Vocabulary for Malaysia | Essential Everyday Phrases
- Vocabulary for China | Essential Everyday Phrases
Sources, language variation and editorial limits
The sources below help verify language status, common phrases and everyday learning patterns. This original vocabulary selection is not a certified translation for high-stakes communication. Other regional languages, local expressions, social registers and pronunciations matter. Check authentic native-speaker audio and seek professional interpreting when an error could affect medical care, legal matters or safety.
- Philippines Official Gazette: 1987 Constitution, Article XIV language provisions
- University of Hawai‘i Press: Tagalog for Beginners
- Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs: Visit the Philippines
Editorial review: November 2026.