Every Tagalog phrase to know before you go to the Philippines

Xperience Team
21 Oct 2025 - 6 min read
Boats on a tropical lagoon in the Philippines

If you can’t think of anything better than an ice cold beer on a tropical beach, or chowing down on a steaming bowl of local cuisine at a family owned restaurant, then listen up. Here’s how to order all of that, and more, when you’re in the Philippines.

Before hopping on the plane to the Philippine islands, bookmark this page to learn some basic phrases in the local language, Tagalog.

Although English is widely spoken in larger cities like Manila, Cebu and Davao, if you’re  planning on getting off the beaten track, or just like to learn a bit more about a place you’re visiting, learning some Tagalog is quite beneficial.

While its pronunciation may sound similar to Spanish , it contains several loanwords from Sanskrit, and quite a few words are similar to Indonesian.

Here you can learn everyday Filipino conversation in various situations that you will definitely need there.

Filipino kids laughing

Common saying and greetings

As usual, before starting a conversation, you and the person you are talking to will greet each other.

1. Kamusta: Hello

2. Magandang umaga: Good morning

3.  Magandang Hapon: Good afternoon!

4. Magandang Gabi: Good Evening

5. Kamusta ka? : How are you?

6. Mabuti: Okay

7. Salamat po: Thank you

8. Patawad: I'm sorry

9. Paalam: Goodbye.

10. Nakapag salita ka ba ng Ingles? : Do you speak English?

11. Hindi ko maintindihan: I don't understand

12. Ipagpaumanhin nyo po: Excuse me

13. Pakiusap: Please go ahead

14. Paalam, (Sa muling pagkikita.): Goodbye, see you later.

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Basic Conversation/Introduction

Here you can learn phrases for getting acquainted.

1. Ano ang pangalan mo? : What's your name?

2. Ang pangalan ko ay…: My name is…

3. Saan ka nanggaling? : Where are you from?

4. Ako ay namula sa …(Bansa): I come from…(name of country)

5. Ikinagagalak kitang makilala: Nice to meet you

Boodle fight in the Philippines

Eat at a Restaurant

When traveling around the Philippines, you're bound to stop at restaurants. Here's a common conversation at a restaurant.

1. Ako ay nagugutom: I'm hungry

2. Ako ay busog: I'm full

3. Nakapag reserba na ako ng lamesa: I've already booked a table

4. Anong putahe ang iyong maire- recommendations?: What dishes do you recommend?

5. Pwede ko bang mahalam ang menu?: May I have a menu, please?

6. Pwede ba akong umorder ng pagkain?: Can I order food?

7. Gusto kong umorder ng… : I want to order…

8. Pwede ba akong makahingi ng isang basong tubig?: Can I have a glass of water, please?

9. Ako ay vegetarian: I am vegetarian

10. I am allergic to … : I am allergic to …

11. Semoga mani ba sa pagkain? : Does the food contain nuts?

12. Gusto ko ng maanghang na pagkain: I like spicy food

13. Pakiusap, Konting anghang lang: A little spicy, please

14. Pakiusap, Wag maanghang: Please don't be spicy

15. Hindi ako kumakain ng maanghang na pagkain: I can't eat spicy food

16. Sobrang sarap: It's very delicious

17. Maaari ko bang makuha ang bayarin? : Can I have the bill?

18. Pwede ba akong mag bayad gamit ang credit card? : Can I pay with a credit card?

19. Pwede ba akong humingi ng Resibo? : May I have a receipt?

20. Ikaw ay imbitado: You are invited.

21. Saiyo na ang sukli: Keep the change

22. Ako ang mag babayad ng bill: I want to pay the bill

23. Maaari ka bang mag rekomenda ng kainan malapit dito? : Can you recommend a good restaurant near here?

24. Ayoko ng tsokolate: I don't like chocolate.

Food and drinks

The following phrases are frequently used when ordering food and drinks in the Philippines.

1. Kanin: Rice

2. Pansit: Noodles

3. Manok: Chicken

4. Isda: Fish

5. Karne: Meat

6. Baboy: Pig

7. Pagkaing Dagat: Seafood

8. Maalat: Salty

9. Maasim: Sour

10. Maanghang: Spicy

11. Matamis: sweet

12. Tubig: Drinking water

13. Kape: Coffee

14. Kape na may Gatas: Kopi Susu

15. Gatas: Milk

16. Tsu: Tea

17. Tsaang Berde: The Hijau

18. Serbesa: Beer

Shopping

You will need the following everyday Filipino language when shopping, whether at street vendors or supermarkets.

1. Saan ang pelection? : Where is the mall?

2. Kailan ito mag bukas? : When is it open?

3. Kailang Ito Magsasara? : When does it close?

4. Gusto kong bumili ng…? : I want to buy…

5. Pwede ko ba ito sukatin? : May I try (the clothes) on?

6. Hindi ito kasya: The size (of the clothes) doesn't fit.

7. Mayroon ka bro mas maliit na sukat? : Is there a smaller size?

8. May mas malaking sukat ba : Is there a bigger size?

9. Mayroon ka bro kulay? : Are there other colors?

10. Gusto ko itong bilihin: I want to buy this one.

11. Magkano Ito? : How much does it cost?

12. Tumitingin lang ako: I just want to look around.

13. Pwede ba akong makahingi ng resibo? : Can I have a note?

14. Saan ako makakakita…? : Where can I buy…

15. Sobrang ganda neto: This is very good

16. Gusto ko ito: I like this one

17. Gusto ko itong iback: I want to return this

18. Pwede mo ba akong bigyan ng discount? : Can you give a discount?

19. Magkano ang losing kilos? : How much is half a kilo?

Directions and getting around

To explore the various attractions in the Philippines , there are many transportation options, from public transportation like the LRT and MRT to taxis. Here are some phrases you might need to use.

1. Saan ang Istasyon ng trend? : Where is the train station located?

2. Gusto kong pumunta sa istasyon na Tren. : I want to go to the station.

3. Paano ako makakarating doon? : How to go to the station?

4. Nasaan ka? : Where are you?

5. Ako ay nasa… : I am in …

6. Ano ang pangalan ng lugar na ito? : What is the name of this place?

7. Gaano ito katagal? : How long does it take to get to the station?

8. Saan ako makakabili ng Ticket? : Where can I buy tickets?

9. Gusto ko bumili ng ticket papuntang…: I want to buy a ticket to…

10. Magkano ang ticket na ito?: How much is the ticket...

11. Kailan aalis ang trend? : When does the train leave?

12. Ang tren ay aalis, Matapos ang sampung minuto: The train leaves in 10 minutes.

13. Kailan Dadating ang Trend? : When will the train arrive?

14. Pakiusap, Paki hatid ako sa... : Please take me to...

15. Pakiusap, Pakihinto dito: Please stop here

16. Saan ang banjo? : Where is the toilet?

Book a Hotel

When making a reservation for accommodation, you may need to say some of the following phrases.

1. Pwede ka bang mag rekomenda ng Hotel? : Can you recommend a hotel?

2. Gusto ko magpa reserba? : I want to book a hotel room.

3. Meron pa bang kwarto na available? : Are there any empty rooms?

4. Pwede ko bang makita? : Can I see the room?

5. Kasama ba ang Internet? : Is there internet facility?

6. Kasama ba ang Almusal? : Does the price include breakfast?

7. Ang Hotel ba ay matatagpuan malapit sa Gitna? : Is the hotel near the city center?

8. Saan ko mahahanap anglabada? : Where is the laundry located?

9. Magkano ang presyo ng kwarto? : How much does the stay cost?

10. Gusto kong manatili ng…. Gabi...? : I want to stay… night.

11. Gusto ko ng nag iisang kwarto: I want a single room

12. Gusto ko ng dobleng Kwarto: I want a double room

13. Gusto ko mag reserba ng isang / nag iisang kwarto: I want to book a single room.

14. Kinansela ko ang reserbasyon ko sa hotel: I want to cancel the reservation.

Going on an outing

Here's some everyday Tagalog language for sightseeing. When you want to ask about something, you should ask the following:

1. Saan ang lunduyan ngwisatasta: Where is the city center?

2. Kailan magbubukas ang lunduyan ngwisatasta: When will the tourist attraction open?

3. Pwede ba akong kumuha ng libreng mapa?: Can I have the map?

4. Saan ako makakahanap ng Tindahan ng regalo?: Where is the gift shop located?

5. Anong lugar ang dapat kong bisitahin?: What places should I visit?

6. Gaano katagal bago makarating doon?: How long does it take to get there?

7. Pwede ba akonglumuma ng litrato dito?: Can I take photos here?

8. Magkano ang entrance ticket?: How much is the entrance ticket?

9. Gusto koluma ng Pambayar paglalakbay: I want to do a city tour .

10. Pwede ka bang mag rekomenda ng kahit anong byahe?: What trips do you recommend.

11. Meron bang malapit na parke dito?: Is there a park near here?

Emergencies

1. Tulong!: Help

2. Pwede mo ba akong Tulungan?: Can you help me?

3. Naiwala ko ang swallow ko: I lost my wallet.

4. Nanakaw ang bag ko: My bag was stolen.

5. Naiwala ko ang pasaporte ko: I lost my passport.

6.Mayroon akong problema: I'm in trouble.

7.Gusto ko ng taga translate: I need a translator

8.Gusto ko pumunta sa pulisya: I need to go to the police station.

9.Naiwan ako sa byahe: I missed my flight

You might not find the phrases above in every guidebook for traveling around the Philippines. But don't worry, Filipinos are also known for their fluency in English.

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Now you're ready to practice the everyday Tagalog above while on vacation around the Philippines!

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Tags:

filipina

In This Article

• Common saying and greetings
• Basic Conversation/Introduction
• Eat at a Restaurant
• Food and drinks
• Shopping
• Directions and getting around
• Book a Hotel
• Going on an outing
• Emergencies

Flights Featured in This Article

Wed, 5 Nov 2025
AirAsia Berhad (Malaysia)
Perth (PER) to Manila (MNL)
Start from AU$223.89
Book Now
Fri, 24 Oct 2025
Scoot
Melbourne (MEL) to Manila (MNL)
Start from AU$325.71
Book Now
Tue, 28 Oct 2025
Scoot
Sydney (SYD) to Manila (MNL)
Start from AU$277.20
Book Now
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