As a tourist or a foreigner in the Philippines, it would be best to learn some of the words that you’ll need to survive and get along with Filipinos. It is not uncommon for Filipinos to encounter foreigners but whenever they do, they do their best to help one. Whether it is directions or instructions you need, Filipinos will be there to help you out. However, you can make it easier for them if you already know some words in Filipino.

You’ll learn some of the basic words needed in everyday conversations as well as the words for basic commands and requests. This guide will also include some of the commonly heard words that seem like they make no sense. You can try learning these gradually and step by step so that you’ll be able to maximize your stay in the Philippines. Make sure you try to say it out loud and try to verify with a friend if you got the pronunciation right.

This guide will show you the needed words to survive in the Philippines. Notice that some words are hard to pronounce. Some pronunciations don’t even make sense but if you want to enjoy your stay, you can try learning the words below. Note that some translations here are already made for the general masses. Not too formal and colloquial.

Natural and basic greetings:

•  Hello – Hello or Hi – Filipinos pretty much use the same greeting.

•  How are you? - Kamusta ka? Or simply Kamusta?

•  I’m fine – Ayos lang

• Thank you! – Salamat!

• You’re Welcome! – Walang Anuman!

• I love you! – Mahal kita! – You can also use “Mahal na mahal Kita” to say “I love you very much!”

• Goodbye! – Paalam! – to make it sound natural, you can also use the words “Buh-Bye”

• I missed/miss/will miss you! – Namiss /namimiss/mamimiss kita! – The root word stays “Miss” as this is a borrowed word from English

• Are you Ok? – Ayos ka lang ba?

• Where do you live? – Saan ka nakatira ?

• For whom? – Para kanino?

• Yes – Oo

• No/Not – Hindi

• Yet - Pa

• Eat/ate/eating/will eat – Kain/Kumain/Kumakain/Kakain

• Come here – Halika

• We – Tayo

• Help me! – Tulungan mo ako

• Where are we? – Nasaan Tayo?

• Where is ______? – Nasaan ang ______?

Basic Questions

• Where? – Saan or San?

• When – Kailan or Kelan?

• How? – paano?

• Why? – Bakit?

• Who? – Sino?

• What? – Ano?

Basic Directions

• Straight –Diresto

• Go back – Balik or Bumalik

• Left – Kaliwa

• Right – Kanan

• On – sa ibabaw

• Under- sa ilalim

• Across – sa tapat

• In front of – sa harap

• At the back – Sa likod

Honorific Titles

– These are usually said before the name of the person. “Nanay Martha” or “Kuya Benj”

• Mother – Nanay, Nay, or Mama, Ma

• Father –Tatay,tay, or Papa, pa

• Older Brother – Kuya

• OIder Sister – Kuya

• Aunt – Tita

• Uncle – Tito

• Grandfather – Lolo

• Grandmother – Lola

Words that indicate politeness

•  Po – Usually said after a word like “Hindi po” or “No.” And “Kain” or “Come and eat”

•  Opo – usually regarded as a polite “yes”

Other words to master

• Mga – Usually used to indicate that a noun is plural . “Mga Ibon” can be translated into “Birds” you pronounce this as “Ma-nga”

• Para (in jeepneys) – Used to say that you’ll be getting off

• Bayad po– Used to indicate that the fare you’re passing is yours

• Bayad daw – Used to indicate that a fare payment is not yours

You can learn much more words if you try speaking with Filipino people constantly. Don’t shy out and talk to them. This is the best and a fool proof way of learning the language.