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Filipino
(formerly Pilipino) is based on Tagalog and is the official language of the Philippines.
In spite of being the national language, only about 55 percent of Filipinos
speak the language. In addition to Filipino are about 111 distinct indigenous languages and
dialects, of which only about 10 are important regionally.
English
is generally used for educational, governmental and commercial purposes and is
widely understood since it is the medium of instruction in schools. The
Philippines are the third largest group of English speaking people in the world,
after the United States and the United Kingdom.
Since
English is widely spoken in the Philippines, it is common to hear Filipinos use
a mixture English and Filipino words or phrases, known as "Taglish" (a
mixture of English and Tagalog), in their everyday conversations.
A
steadily dwindling minority still speak Spanish, which had at one time been an
official language.
Speaking
the Language
Everyday
Greetings
Tagalog
speakers in the Philippines have many ways of greeting other people. It is
common also to hear them say "Hi" or "Hello" as a form of
greeting, especially among close friends. There are no Tagalog translations for
these English greetings because they are basically borrowed terms, and any
English-speaking person will be readily understood by Filipinos in general (Yes,
Virginia and Joe, English is widely spoken in the Philippines, a former colony
of the US of A for nearly 50 years!). Below are a few Tagalog greetings that are
importart to learn if one wants to endear himself/herself to Filipinos.
Magandang
umaga po. (formal/polite) - Good morning
Magandang umaga. (informal) - Good morning
Magandang
tanghali po. (formal/polite) - Good noon
Magandang tanghali. (informal) - Good noon
Magandang
hapon po. (formal/polite) - Good afternoon
Magandang hapon. (informal) - Good afternoon
Magandang
gabi po. (formal/polite) - Good evening
Magandang gabi. (informal) - Good evening
Kumusta
po kayo? (formal/polite) - How are you?
Kumusta ka? (informal) - How are you?
Mabuti
po naman. (formal/polite) - I'm fine
Mabuti naman. (informal) - I'm fine
Tuloy
po kayo. (formal/polite) - Please, come in
Tuloy. (informal) - Please, come in
Salamat
po. (formal/polite) - Thank you
Salamat. (informal) - Thank you
Maraming
salamat po. (formal/polite) - Thank you very much
Maraming salamat. (informal) - Thank you very much
Wala
pong anuman. (formal/polite) - You are welcome
Walang anuman. (informal) - You are welcome
Hindi
po/ho (formal/polite) - No
Hindi (informal) - No
Hindi
ko po/ho alam. (formal/polite) - I don't know
Hindi ko alam. (informal) - I don't know
Anong
oras na po? (formal/polite) - What time is it?
Anong oras na? (informal) - What time is it?
Saan
po kayo papunta? (formal/polite) - Where are you going?
Saan ka papunta? (informal) - Where are you going?
Saan
po kayo galing? (formal/polite) - Where did you come from?
Saan ka galing? (informal) - Where did you come from?
Ano
po ang pangalan nila? (formal/polite) - What is your name?
Anong pangalan mo? (informal) - What is your name?
Ako
po si ________ (formal/polite) - I am ______ (name).
Ako si _________ (informal) - I am ______ (name).
Ilang
taon na po kayo? (formal/polite) - How old are you?
Ilang taon ka na? (informal) - How old are you?
Ako
po ay _______ gulang na. (formal/polite) - I am _______ years old.
Ako ay _______ gulang na. (informal) - I am _______ years old.
Saan
po kayo nakatira? (formal/polite) - Where do you live?
Saan ka nakatira? (informal) - Where do you live?
Taga
saan po sila? (formal/polite) - Where are you from?
Taga saan ka? (informal) - Where are you from?
Kumain
na po ba sila? (formal/polite) - Have you eaten yet?
Kumain ka na ba? (informal) - Have you eaten yet?
Directions
Below is a list of Tagalog words and phrases used in giving or asking for
directions.
deretso
- straight ahead
(sa) kanan - on the right
(sa) kaliwa - on the left
umikot - turn around
(sa) harap - in front
(sa) likod/likuran - at the back/behind
hilaga - north
silangan - east
kanluran - west
timog - south
(sa) itaas - on top
(sa) ibaba - below/at the bottom
(sa) ilalim - at the bottom
(sa) loob - inside
(sa) labas - outside
There
are a number of Tagalog words and phrases which are rather vague in terms of
specific distance but signify "nearness" or "farness" of a
particular object, thing, or place from the speaker. These are:
doon
- yonder (over there)
diyan lang po sa tabi - there, on that side
sa banda po doon - over on that side
Questions
Below is a list of Tagalog question words with their corresponding meanings and
examples in English.
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