Common Phrases

Hello / Hi

Kumusta / Hello

koo-MOOS-tah

💡 Kumusta is more formal, Hello is also commonly used

How are you?

Kumusta ka?

koo-MOOS-tah kah

I'm fine, thank you

Maayo man ko, salamat

mah-AH-yo mahn koh, sah-LAH-maht

I'm okay

Okay ra ko

oh-KAY rah koh

Not bad

Maayo-ayo ra

mah-AH-yo AH-yo rah

Good morning

Maayong buntag

mah-AH-yong boon-TAHG

Good afternoon

Maayong hapon

mah-AH-yong hah-PON

Good evening

Maayong gabii

mah-AH-yong gah-BEE-ee

Good noon

Maayong udto

mah-AH-yong ood-TOH

💡 Used specifically around 12 noon

Good night

Maayong gabii / Matulog na ko

mah-AH-yong gah-BEE-ee / mah-TOO-log nah koh

💡 Matulog na ko means 'I'm going to sleep now'

What is your name?

Unsa imong ngalan?

oon-SAH ee-MONG ngah-LAHN

My name is...

Ang akong ngalan kay...

ahng ah-KONG ngah-LAHN kai

I am... (name)

Ako si...

ah-KOH see...

💡 Shorter way to introduce yourself

Nice to meet you

Nalipay ko nga nagkita ta

nah-lee-PAI koh ngah nahg-KEE-tah tah

Where are you from?

Taga-asa ka?

tah-GAH ah-SAH kah

I am from...

Taga-... ko

tah-GAH ... koh

💡 Example: Taga-America ko (I'm from America)

How old are you?

Pila na imong edad?

pee-LAH nah ee-MONG eh-DAHD

I am ... years old

... anyos na ko

... AHN-yos nah koh

💡 Example: Baynte singko anyos na ko (I'm 25 years old)

What do you do? (occupation)

Unsa imong trabaho?

oon-SAH ee-MONG trah-BAH-ho

I am a student

Estudyante ko

ehs-tood-YAHN-teh koh

I am a tourist

Turista ko

too-REES-tah koh

Goodbye

Babay

bah-BAI

💡 Informal, like 'bye'

I'm going now

Adto na ko

ahd-TOH nah koh

💡 Common way to say goodbye when leaving

See you later

Kita ta unya

KEE-tah tah oon-YAH

See you tomorrow

Kita ta ugma

KEE-tah tah oog-MAH

Take care

Pag-amping

pahg-ahm-PEENG

Go ahead (you may leave)

Sige, adto na

see-GEH ahd-TOH nah

💡 Said when giving someone permission to leave

I'll go ahead

Una na ko

oo-NAH nah koh

💡 Polite way to excuse yourself

I have to go

Kinahanglan na ko molakaw

kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn nah koh moh-LAH-kaw

It was nice talking to you

Nalipay ko nga nakaistorya ta

nah-lee-PAI koh ngah nah-kah-ees-TOHR-yah tah

Let's talk again sometime

Mag-istorya na lang ta sa sunod

mahg-ees-TOHR-yah nah lahng tah sah SOO-nod

I'm busy right now

Busy ko karon

BEE-zee koh kah-RON

Yes

Oo

oh-OH

No

Dili

dee-LEE

Thank you

Salamat

sah-LAH-maht

Thank you very much

Salamat kaayo

sah-LAH-maht kah-AH-yo

You're welcome

Walay sapayan

wah-LAI sah-pah-YAHN

Please

Palihug

pah-lee-HOOG

Excuse me / Sorry

Pasayloa ko

pah-sai-LOH-ah koh

I'm sorry

Sorry / Pasensya na

SOH-ree / pah-SEN-syah nah

I don't understand

Wala ko kasabot

wah-LAH koh kah-SAH-bot

I understand

Nakasabot ko

nah-kah-SAH-bot koh

Can you repeat that?

Pwede ba usbon?

PWEH-deh bah oos-BON

Please speak slowly

Palihug hinay-hinay lang

pah-lee-HOOG hee-NAI hee-NAI lahng

Wait a moment

Kadiyot lang

kah-dee-YOHT lahng

Let's go

Tara na

TAH-rah nah

It's okay / Never mind

Okay ra / Ayaw lang

oh-KAY rah / ai-YAW lahng

Maybe

Tingali / Basin

teeng-GAH-lee / BAH-seen

I don't know

Wala ko kahibalo

wah-LAH koh kah-hee-BAH-loh

Can I...? / May I...?

Pwede ba ko...?

PWEH-deh bah koh

What?

Unsa?

oon-SAH

Where?

Asa?

ah-SAH

When?

Kanus-a?

kah-noos-AH

Why?

Ngano?

ngah-NOH

How?

Unsaon?

oon-sah-ON

Who?

Kinsa?

keen-SAH

How much?

Pila?

pee-LAH

How many?

Pila ka buok?

pee-LAH kah boo-OK

Where are you going?

Asa ka padulong?

ah-SAH kah pah-doo-LONG

Where is the bathroom?

Asa ang kasilyas?

ah-SAH ahng kah-SEEL-yahs

Do you speak English?

Kahibalo ka mag-English?

kah-hee-BAH-loh kah mahg-ENG-lish

What is this?

Unsa ni?

oon-SAH nee

What is that?

Unsa na?

oon-SAH nah

Is this correct?

Sakto ba ni?

SAHK-toh bah nee

What time is it?

Unsang orasa na?

oon-SAHNG oh-RAH-sah nah

I want to go to...

Gusto ko moadto sa...

goos-TOH koh moh-AHD-toh sah

How do I get to...?

Unsaon pag-adto sa...?

oon-sah-ON pahg-AHD-toh sah

Where is the jeepney stop?

Asa ang paradahan sa jeep?

ah-SAH ahng pah-rah-DAH-hahn sah jeep

Where is the bus terminal?

Asa ang terminal sa bus?

ah-SAH ahng ter-mee-NAHL sah bus

Is this jeepney going to...?

Moadto ba ni nga jeep sa...?

moh-AHD-toh bah nee ngah jeep sah

Does this pass by...?

Moagi ba ni sa...?

moh-AH-gee bah nee sah

Stop here please (to driver)

Para! / Lugar lang!

PAH-rah / loo-GAHR lahng

💡 PARA is the most common way to ask the driver to stop

I'll get off here

Naay manaog

nah-AI mah-nah-OG

💡 Literally 'someone is getting off'

Getting off! (to announce)

Manaog ko!

mah-nah-OG koh

How much is the fare to...?

Pila ang pamasahe paingon sa...?

pee-LAH ahng pah-mah-SAH-heh pah-een-GON sah

Here's the payment

Bayad

BAH-yahd

💡 Say this when handing money to the driver or passing it forward

Please pass the payment

Palihug ipasa ang bayad

pah-lee-HOOG ee-PAH-sah ahng BAH-yahd

💡 In jeepneys, passengers pass money forward to the driver

Do you have change?

Naay sukli?

nah-AI SOOK-lee

My change please

Sukli palihug

SOOK-lee pah-lee-HOOG

Move over a bit (make room)

Palihug paagi

pah-lee-HOOG pah-AH-gee

💡 Asking fellow passengers to make space

How much to...?

Tagpila paingon sa...?

tahg-pee-LAH pah-een-GON sah

💡 For tricycles/pedicabs, negotiate price before riding

That's too expensive

Mahal kaayo

mah-HAHL kah-AH-yo

Can you lower it?

Pwede paubsan?

PWEH-deh pah-oob-SAHN

Special trip (exclusive ride)

Special

SPEH-shal

💡 You hire the whole vehicle for yourself

Regular (shared ride)

Regular / Habal

REH-gyoo-lahr / HAH-bahl

💡 Shared with other passengers, cheaper

Please use the meter

Palihug gamita ang metro

pah-lee-HOOG gah-MEE-tah ahng MET-roh

Turn right here

Liko tuo diri

LEE-koh too-OH dee-REE

Turn left here

Liko wala diri

LEE-koh wah-LAH dee-REE

Go straight

Diretso lang

dee-RET-soh lahng

Stop here

Diri na lang

dee-REE nah lahng

A little further

Gamay pa unahan

gah-MAI pah oo-NAH-hahn

Is there traffic?

Naa bay trapik?

nah-AH bai TRAH-peek

We're stuck in traffic

Na-trapik ta

nah-TRAH-peek tah

Is it far?

Layo ba?

lah-YOH bah

Is it near?

Duol ra ba?

doo-OHL rah bah

How long will it take?

Unsa ka dugay?

oon-SAH kah doo-GAI

I'm lost

Nawala ko / Nilibog ko

nah-WAH-lah koh / nah-LEE-bog koh

Can you drop me off at...?

Pwede ko ihatud sa...?

PWEH-deh koh ee-HAH-tood sah

Where can I catch a jeepney to...?

Asa ko makasakay ug jeep paingon sa...?

ah-SAH koh mah-kah-SAH-kai oog jeep pah-een-GON sah

Left

Wala

wah-LAH

💡 'Wala' also means 'none' - context determines meaning

Right

Tuo

too-OH

Straight ahead

Diretso lang

dee-RET-soh lahng

Near

Duol

doo-OHL

Far

Layo

lah-YOH

Here

Diri

dee-REE

There

Didto

deed-TOH

Over there (visible)

Diha

dee-HAH

💡 Used for places you can point to

In front

Sa atubangan

sah ah-too-BAH-ngahn

Behind

Sa likod

sah LEE-kod

Beside / Next to

Sa kilid / Sa tapad

sah KEE-lid / sah TAH-pahd

Between

Sa tunga-tunga

sah toong-AH toong-AH

Corner

Eskina / Kanto

es-KEE-nah / KAHN-toh

Across (the street)

Sa pikas / Sa tabok

sah PEE-kahs / sah TAH-bok

Inside

Sa sulod

sah SOO-lod

Outside

Sa gawas

sah GAH-wahs

Upstairs

Sa taas / Sa ibabaw

sah tah-AHS / sah ee-BAH-baw

Downstairs

Sa ubos / Sa silong

sah OO-bos / sah SEE-long

Very near / Just there

Duol ra kaayo

doo-OHL rah kah-AH-yo

Very far

Layo kaayo

lah-YOH kah-AH-yo

Walking distance

Lakaw-lakaw ra

LAH-kaw LAH-kaw rah

About 5 minutes

Mga singko minutos

mgah SEENG-koh mee-NOO-tos

Mall

Mall

mohl

Market

Merkado / Palengke

mer-KAH-doh / pah-LENG-keh

Church

Simbahan

seem-BAH-hahn

Hospital

Ospital

ohs-pee-TAHL

Police station

Estasyon sa pulis

ehs-TAHS-yon sah poo-LEES

Airport

Airport / Tugpahanan

EHR-port / toog-pah-HAH-nahn

Port / Pier

Pier / Pantalan

peer / pahn-TAH-lahn

Hotel

Hotel

hoh-TEL

Restaurant

Restaurant / Kan-anan

res-tow-RAHNT / kahn-AH-nahn

Pharmacy

Botika / Pharmacy

boh-TEE-kah

Turn

Liko

LEE-koh

Cross the street

Tabok sa karsada

TAH-bok sah kahr-SAH-dah

Keep going

Padayon lang

pah-DAH-yon lahng

Go back

Balik

BAH-lik

I'm hungry

Gutom ko

goo-TOM koh

I'm thirsty

Uhaw ko

oo-HAW koh

Delicious!

Lami!

lah-MEE

Water

Tubig

too-BEEG

Rice (cooked)

Kan-on

kahn-ON

Rice (uncooked)

Bugas

boo-GAHS

I want to eat

Gusto ko mokaon

goos-TOH koh moh-kah-ON

Let's eat!

Kaon ta!

kah-ON tah

💡 Common invitation before meals

Come eat with us

Dali, kaon ta

DAH-lee kah-ON tah

Have you eaten?

Nakakaon na ka?

nah-kah-kah-ON nah kah

💡 Common greeting, shows care

I haven't eaten yet

Wala pa ko kakaon

wah-LAH pah koh kah-kah-ON

I already ate

Nakakaon na ko

nah-kah-kah-ON nah koh

I would like to order...

Gusto ko mo-order ug...

goos-TOH koh moh-OR-der oog

What do you recommend?

Unsa imong ma-recommend?

oon-SAH ee-MONG mah-reh-koh-MEND

What's your specialty?

Unsa ang specialty ninyo?

oon-SAH ahng speh-SHAL-tee NEEN-yo

I'll have this one

Kani akong kuhaon

kah-NEE ah-KONG koo-HAH-on

One order of...

Usa ka order sa...

oo-SAH kah OR-der sah

Extra rice please

Dugang kan-on palihug

doo-GAHNG kahn-ON pah-lee-HOOG

No spice please (not spicy)

Ayaw lang anghanga / Dili anghang

ai-YAW lahng ahng-HAHNG-ah / dee-LEE ahng-HAHNG

A little spicy only

Gamay lang anghang

gah-MAI lahng ahng-HAHNG

No vegetables

Walay utan

wah-LAI oo-TAHN

No meat

Walay karne

wah-LAI KAHR-neh

Less salt please

Gamay lang asin

gah-MAI lahng ah-SEEN

Can I change my order?

Pwede ba usbon akong order?

PWEH-deh bah oos-BON ah-KONG OR-der

Is this spicy?

Anghang ba ni?

ahng-HAHNG bah nee

What is this dish?

Unsa ning pagkaona?

oon-SAH neeng pahg-kah-OH-nah

Does this have pork?

Naay baboy ani?

nah-AI BAH-boy ah-NEE

Is this fresh?

Presko ba ni?

PRES-koh bah nee

What are the ingredients?

Unsa ang mga sangkap?

oon-SAH ahng mgah SAHNG-kahp

The bill, please

Palihug ang bayad / Bill please

pah-lee-HOOG ahng bah-YAHD

How much is everything?

Pila tanan?

pee-LAH tah-NAHN

I'll pay

Ako ang mobayad

ah-KOH ahng moh-BAH-yahd

Let's split the bill

Kanya-kanya ta bayad

KAHN-yah KAHN-yah tah bah-YAHD

Keep the change

Kanimo na ang sukli

kah-NEE-moh nah ahng SOOK-lee

Very delicious!

Lami kaayo!

lah-MEE kah-AH-yo

I'm full

Busog na ko

boo-SOG nah koh

It's too salty

Parat kaayo

PAH-raht kah-AH-yo

It's too sweet

Tam-is kaayo

tahm-EES kah-AH-yo

It's cold already

Bugnaw na

boog-NAW nah

How much is this?

Pila ni?

pee-LAH nee

How much is that?

Pila na?

pee-LAH nah

How much each?

Tagpila ang isa?

tahg-pee-LAH ahng ee-SAH

Too expensive

Mahal kaayo

mah-HAHL kah-AH-yo

Can you lower the price?

Pwede ba paubsan?

PWEH-deh bah pah-oob-SAHN

What's your best price?

Pila na ang pinakaubos?

pee-LAH nah ahng pee-nah-kah-OO-bos

Can you give a discount?

Pwede ba discount?

PWEH-deh bah DEES-kownt

I'll buy this

Paliton nako ni

pah-lee-TON nah-KOH nee

I'm just looking

Nagtan-aw lang ko

nahg-tahn-AW lahng koh

Fixed price already

Tama na na presyo

TAH-mah nah nah PRES-yoh

💡 Seller saying price is final

That's the lowest

Mao na nay pinakaubos

mah-OH nah nai pee-nah-kah-OO-bos

We don't have that

Wala mi ana

wah-LAH mee ah-NAH

Out of stock

Hurot na / Wala nay stock

hoo-ROHT nah / wah-LAH nai stock

Okay, I'll take it

Sige, kuhaon nako

see-GEH koo-HAH-on nah-KOH

No thanks, too expensive

Dili na lang, mahal man

dee-LEE nah lahng mah-HAHL mahn

I'll think about it

Hunahunaon nako

hoo-nah-hoo-NAH-on nah-KOH

Maybe later

Basin unya na lang

BAH-seen oon-YAH nah lahng

I'll come back

Mobalik ko

moh-BAH-lik koh

Do you have...?

Naay...?

nah-AI

💡 Common question at sari-sari stores

Give me one...

Hatag usa ka...

HAH-tahg oo-SAH kah

One piece of...

Usa ka buok...

oo-SAH kah boo-OK

One sachet of...

Usa ka tingi sa...

oo-SAH kah teeng-EE sah

💡 Tingi means small/sachet portions

Can I pay later?

Pwede utang?

PWEH-deh oo-TAHNG

💡 Asking for credit (common at sari-sari stores)

Do you have a bigger size?

Naay mas dako?

nah-AI mahs DAH-koh

Do you have a smaller size?

Naay mas gamay?

nah-AI mahs gah-MAI

Do you have other colors?

Naay laing kolor?

nah-AI lah-EENG KOH-lor

Can I try this on?

Pwede ba nako sulayan?

PWEH-deh bah nah-KOH soo-LAH-yahn

Where is the fitting room?

Asa ang fitting room?

ah-SAH ahng FIT-teeng room

Do you accept credit card?

Mo-accept mo ug credit card?

moh-ahk-SEPT moh oog KREH-dit kahrd

Cash only?

Cash lang?

kahsh lahng

Philippine Peso

Piso

PEE-soh

💡 Official currency of the Philippines

Centavo (cent)

Sentimo

sen-TEE-moh

💡 100 sentimo = 1 piso

One peso coin

Usa ka piso

oo-SAH kah PEE-soh

Five peso coin

Singko pesos / Lima ka piso

SEENG-koh PEH-sos / LEE-mah kah PEE-soh

Ten peso coin

Diyes pesos / Napulo ka piso

dee-YES PEH-sos / nah-POO-loh kah PEE-soh

Twenty peso coin

Baynte pesos

BAIN-teh PEH-sos

Twenty peso bill

Baynte / Dos baynte

BAIN-teh / dohs BAIN-teh

Fifty peso bill

Singkwenta

seeng-KWEN-tah

One hundred peso bill

Siyento / Usa ka gatos

see-YEN-toh / oo-SAH kah GAH-tos

Five hundred peso bill

Lima ka gatos

LEE-mah kah GAH-tos

One thousand peso bill

Usa ka libo

oo-SAH kah LEE-boh

Where can I exchange money?

Asa ko pwede magpailis ug kwarta?

ah-SAH koh PWEH-deh mahg-pah-EE-lis oog KWAHR-tah

What is the exchange rate?

Pila ang exchange rate?

pee-LAH ahng eks-CHAYNJ rayt

I want to exchange dollars

Gusto ko magpailis ug dollars

goos-TOH koh mahg-pah-EE-lis oog DOH-lahrs

Do you have smaller bills?

Naay mas gamay nga kwarta?

nah-AI mahs gah-MAI ngah KWAHR-tah

Can you break this?

Pwede ba ilis-an ni?

PWEH-deh bah ee-LEE-sahn nee

💡 Asking to break large bills into smaller ones

Is this the official rate?

Mao ba ni ang opisyal nga rate?

mah-OH bah nee ahng oh-pees-YAHL ngah rayt

💡 Always check official rates before exchanging

Please count it again

Palihug ihapon balik

pah-lee-HOOG ee-HAH-pon BAH-lik

This doesn't seem right

Daw dili sakto ni

daw dee-LEE SAHK-toh nee

I need a receipt

Kinahanglan ko ug resibo

kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn koh oog reh-SEE-boh

Where is the bank?

Asa ang bangko?

ah-SAH ahng BAHNG-koh

💡 Banks usually offer better rates than street changers

Where is the ATM?

Asa ang ATM?

ah-SAH ahng ay-tee-EM

Help!

Tabang!

tah-BAHNG

I need help

Kinahanglan ko ug tabang

kee-nah-HAHNG-lahn koh oog tah-BAHNG

Call the police

Tawag ug pulis

tah-WAHG oog poo-LEES

Call an ambulance

Tawag ug ambulansya

tah-WAHG oog ahm-boo-LAHNS-yah

I'm sick

Masakiton ko

mah-sah-kee-TON koh

I'm injured

Nasamdan ko

nah-SAHM-dahn koh

Hospital

Ospital

ohs-pee-TAHL

Fire!

Sunog!

SOO-nog

Thief!

Kawatan! / Tulisan!

kah-WAH-tahn / too-LEE-sahn

I lost my wallet

Nawala akong pitaka

nah-WAH-lah ah-KONG pee-TAH-kah

I lost my passport

Nawala akong passport

nah-WAH-lah ah-KONG PAHS-port

Where is the police station?

Asa ang estasyon sa pulis?

ah-SAH ahng ehs-TAHS-yon sah poo-LEES

I'm happy

Malipayon ko

mah-lee-PAH-yon koh

I'm sad

Masulob-on ko

mah-soo-lob-ON koh

I'm tired

Kapoy ko

kah-POY koh

I love you

Gihigugma tika

gee-hee-goog-MAH tee-KAH

I miss you

Gimingaw ko nimo

gee-mee-NGAW koh nee-MOH

I'm angry

Nasuko ko

nah-SOO-koh koh

I'm scared

Nahadlok ko

nah-hahd-LOK koh

I'm excited

Excited ko

ek-SAI-ted koh

I'm bored

Gi-bored ko / Boring

gee-BOHRD koh / BOH-reeng

I'm worried

Nagkabalaka ko

nahg-kah-bah-LAH-kah koh

Bless (hand gesture to forehead)

Mano po

MAH-noh poh

💡 Take elder's hand and touch to your forehead as sign of respect

Response to Mano (God bless you)

Kaluoy sa Dios

kah-LOO-oy sah dee-YOS

💡 What elders say after receiving mano

Sir (for older men)

Kuya / Manong / Tay

KOO-yah / mah-NONG / tai

💡 Kuya = older brother, Manong = older man, Tay = father figure

Ma'am (for older women)

Ate / Manang / Nay

AH-teh / mah-NAHNG / nai

💡 Ate = older sister, Manang = older woman, Nay = mother figure

Grandfather

Lolo

LOH-loh

Grandmother

Lola

LOH-lah

Excuse me (to pass by someone)

Tabi / Tabi po

TAH-bee / TAH-bee poh

💡 Say when passing by someone, especially elders

Excuse me (to get attention)

Palihug lang

pah-lee-HOOG lahng

With respect (polite particle)

Po / Ho

poh / hoh

💡 Add to sentences when speaking to elders: 'Oo po' (Yes, with respect)

Please come in

Sulod lang

SOO-lod lahng

💡 Welcoming someone into your home

Please sit down

Palihug lingkod

pah-lee-HOOG leeng-KOD

After you (letting someone go first)

Una lang ka / Ikaw una

OO-nah lahng kah / ee-KAW oo-NAH

Thank you for your hospitality

Salamat sa pagdawat

sah-LAH-maht sah pahg-DAH-waht

I respect you

Gitahod tika

gee-TAH-hod tee-KAH