Basic Filipino Phrases You Need To Learn before Traveling to the Philippines

The Philippines, my home country, is an archipelago found in South East Asia. As the Pearl of the Sea Orient, expect amazing beaches and crystal blue waters. However, it doesn’t stop there – you still need to eat each region’s local cuisine, learn our history through museums and buildings and be in awe of our biodiversity. With more than 7,600 islands, it’s hard to choose which one to go to first.

The Philippines has English as one of its National Language, it has been used as the medium of education as well as shows in the Philippines. If you ever travel, you wouldn’t have a problem speaking English as locals know the basics.

However, as a Filipino, we appreciate foreigners speaking our language, Filipino. It always puts a smile on our face when we meet one who tries. So this guide will help you in your adventure and talking with the locals.

You will know the basic Filipino phrases for your travel to the Philippines. These will include greetings, responses, basic questions and answers for accommodation, food or any emergencies. Have fun in the Philippines!

Filipino 101

• The Roman Alphabet has 26 characters, while the Philippine Alphabet has 28; adding ñ and ng. So it’s pretty easy to read Filipino as you don’t have rises or tones, unlike other languages.
• When traveling the country, you can mix Filipino with English to make it clearer or in case you don’t know the correct translation.
• Some Filipino words are borrowed from languages like English and Spanish since they have greatly influenced the Philippines.
• Though Filipino is the Official Language, there are regions that don’t speak it every day, rather they have dialects. Examples: In Cebu, there’s Cebuano or Bisaya; in Ilocos, Ilocano, and there’s Chavacano in Zamboanga with Spanish influence.
• You might not hear the basic Filipino phrases being said in other regions (unless you are in Manila or NCR or Luzon areas), however, they are understood since it’s taught in school.

Greetings

Hi! Hello! (Mabuhay!) – Hi. Hello

Magandang Umaga – Good Morning

Magandang Hapon– Good Afternoon

Magandang Gabi – Good Evening

Paalam – Good Bye.

Introduction

Paumanhin po – Excuse Me.

Nagsasalita ka ba ng Ingles? – Do You Speak English?

Ako (po) ay si – I am … (polite)

Taga-… ako – I am from …

Naka-tira ako sa … – I live in …

Basic Responses

Oo – Yes

Hindi – No

Siguro – Maybe

Talaga – Really

Naiintindihan ko– I understand

Hindi ko maintindihan – I don’t understand

Salamat – Thank You

Walang anuman – You are Welcome

Ako ay … – I am (nationality).

(Example: Ako ay Pilipino – I am Filipino)

Speaking

Nagsasalita ka ba ng … – Do You Speak (language)?

Nagsasalita ka ba ng … Ingles? – Do You Speak English?

Filipino – Filipino

Naiintindihan ko – I understand

Hindi ko maintindihan – I don’t understand

Hindi ko maintindihan ang Filipino – I don’t understand Filipino

Marunong akong mag-Filipino – I know Filipino

Paki-ulit – Again, please (When you want to hear again what someone is saying)

Pakibagalan – Slowly, please

May nagsasalita ba ng Ingles? – Can someone speak English?

Paano sasabihin… sa Filipino – How to say … in Filipino?

Directions and Places

Saan – Where?

Saan ang … – Where is the …?

Example: Saan ang paliparan  – Where is the airport station?

Terminal ng bus – Bus Terminal

Hotel –  Hotel

Ospital – Hospital

Sari-sari store – Convenience Store

Dalhin mo ako sa … – Take me to …

Gaano kalayo ito sa …  – How far is it to …

Gaano katagal ang biyahe – How long is the trip?

Paano ako makakapunta sa … – How do I go to ..?

Kanan – Right

Kaliwa – Hidari

Diretso – Straight

Isang pong ticket papunta sa … – One ticket to …, please

Accommodation

Mayroon ba kayong mga kwarto na magagamit?  – Do you have any rooms available?

Magkano ang isang gabi?  – How much is one night?

Mananatili akong … gabi – I will stay for … nights.

Food

Isang talahanayan para po sa … tao – A table for … person(s), please.

Maaari ko bang makita ang menu – Can I see the menu, please?

Ano ang specialty ng Restaurant? – What is the specialty of the Restaurant?

Gusto kong kumain ng lutuing Pilipino.– I want to eat Filipino cuisine.

Hindi ako kumain ng … – I don’t eat ….

Gusto kong uminom ng … – I want to drink….

Uminon – Drink

Karne – meat

Baboy – pork

Karne ng baka – beef

Manok – chicken

Isda – Fish

Gulay – vegetables

Prutas – fruit

Beer – Beer

Tubig – water

Shopping

Magkano? – How much?

Magkano ito – How much is this?

Tumatanggap ba kayo ng credit card?  – Do you accept credit card?

Ano ang exchange rate? – What is the exchange rate?

Kailangan ko ng … – I need …

Gamot – medicine

Pagkain – food

Inumin – drinks

Pasalubong – souvenirs

Emergency

Tulong! – Help!

Maaari mo ba akong tulungan? – Could you please help me?

Tumawag sa pulisya – Call the Police

Nawawala ako – I’m lost.

Nawala ang bag ko – I lost my bag

Nasugatan ako – I am injured.

Kailangan ko ng doktor – I need a doctor.

Nais kong makipag-ugnay sa aking Embahada  – I want to contact my Embassy.

Counting

Isa– One

Dalawa– Two

Tatlo– Three

Apat – Four

Lima – Five

Anim– Six

Pito – Seven

Walo– Eight

Siyam – Nine

Sampu – Ten

Labing isa – Eleven

Dalawampu’t dalawa – Twenty Two

Isang Daan – One Hundred

Isang libo – One Thousand

Other terms that Maybe of use

Pwede magpapicture – please take my picture

Pwede ba akong kumuha ng litrato? – can I take pictures?

Pwede bang pumasok – can I enter?

Saan ang pasukan (labasan)? – where is the entrance (exit)?

Ganda – Beautiful

Hopefully, you will learn Basic Filipino Phrases that could help you with your travel in the Philippines. Don’t worry about mixing English and Filipino, most locals do it. Learning languages brings you closer to their culture and would definitely earn you a friend. I am proud to say, we are friendly people, so don’t go shy on us and tell us Filipino words you know. You’ll get a smile on both of your faces. Happy travels!

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