This page provides basic Filipino phrases that are essential for anyone starting to learn or communicate in Filipino — whether for travel, conversation, or cultural understanding.
Included are greetings, common everyday expressions, as well as numbers, time, and pronouns that will be helpful in Filipino-speaking regions like the Philippines.
You can also use our English to Filipino Translation tool to get quick and accurate translations.
It is essential to learn basic greetings phrases for communicating with Filipino-speaking people. Using these phrases shows respect for their culture and language, and helps create a positive impression when building friendships or visiting the Philippines.
A formal greeting like "Magandang araw" (Good day) can be used anytime. You can also say "Kumusta ka?" (How are you?) or the polite form "Kumusta po kayo?" when addressing someone respectfully. Below are a few more essential greetings and pleasantries in Filipino.
In Filipino, there are three common types of Pronouns:
1. Personal pronouns refer to the subject or object of a sentence.
2. Possessive pronouns indicate ownership. For example, This book is mine. (Akin ang librong ito.)
3. Demonstrative pronouns emphasize a specific person or thing. For example, This is my daughter. (Ito ang aking anak na babae.)
Personal pronouns refer to the subject or object of a sentence.
Possessive pronouns indicate ownership. For example, This book is mine. (Akin ang librong ito.) These vary depending on the owner and the object being referred to.
Demonstrative pronouns emphasize a specific person or thing. For example, This is my daughter. (Ito ang aking anak na babae.)
For anyone visiting the Philippines, it is important to know and understand phrases that allow them to buy tickets, travel to their destination by jeepney, bus, taxi or train, and get around the local areas.
Getting around the local area and navigating surrounding cities in the Philippines can be confusing, especially for first-time visitors. You might want to get to a certain place or have questions regarding arrival and departure of public transportation.
Learning some basic phrases for getting around not only helps with travel but also improves communication with locals.
Below are some essential phrases for buying tickets or changing, confirming, and even cancelling tickets in the Philippines.
In the Philippines, buses and jeepney are a popular and affordable form of transportation. They are commonly used by both locals and tourists for intercity and provincial travel. Below are common phrases you might find helpful.
Although limited to major cities like Metro Manila, trains such as MRT and LRT offer a fast and economical way to travel. Learn some useful phrases for commuting by train in the Philippines.
Taxis are widely available in Philippine cities. Knowing basic taxi phrases helps in negotiating fares and reaching your destination efficiently.
Explore and learn essential phrases required for finding the right accommodation whether you are staying in a hostel, hotel, or staying with locals.
Kung ikaw ay naglalakbay sa Pilipinas o sa lugar na nagsasalita ng Filipino, maaaring maging hamon ang paghahanap at pag-book ng tamang hotel. Narito ang ilang mga mahahalagang parirala na magagamit mo para magtanong, mag-book ng kuwarto, mag-check in at mag-check out.
Kung gusto mong lumayo sa ingay ng lungsod at maranasan ang kalikasan, maaaring kailanganin mong mag-camping gamit ang tent, camper van o maliit na kubo. Narito ang ilang mahahalagang parirala para makahanap ng campsite at makapanatili roon.
Ang pagpili ng homestay sa mga lokal ay maaaring mas masaya at personal kaysa sa pananatili sa hotel o camping. Mahalaga pa rin na matutunan ang ilang mga pangunahing parirala upang makipagkomunika nang maayos at magkaroon ng magandang relasyon sa iyong host. Kahit hindi ka fluent sa Filipino, ang simpleng pagsubok na magsalita ay mag-iiwan ng magandang impresyon.
While knowing basic phrases is certainly important, it is crucial to also familiarize yourself with phrases and sentences necessary for emergencies, such as reporting robberies to the police or seeking medical attention from a doctor or hospital in case of health issues.
Learning phrases related to time, day, and dates is essential when traveling or scheduling activities. These expressions help you communicate clearly, plan your schedule, and understand others more effectively.
Learning how to understand, express and write numbers and amounts is a crucial aspect of studying Filipino. It can help in situations like bargaining, purchasing goods, dealing with exchange rates and much more.
Cardinal numbers are fundamental numbers used for counting objects or expressing quantities in numerical form. They are used in almost every daily situation, such as telling time, counting money, expressing quantities of time, and much more.
Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the order or sequence of things or event. They are particularly useful for ordering, ranking, or indicating positions. For instance, one might say, "I prefer seat number fifteen" (Mas gusto ko ang upuang bilang labinlima) to indicate a preference for seat number.
Amount refers to the quantity or measurement of something, whether it's money, time, or the total number of items in a set. For instance, you could say "Ang kabuuang halaga ng pamimili ay ₱132." to mean "The total amount of the shopping was ₱132.".
Learn greetings like "Kamusta" (Hello) and "Salamat" (Thank you) that are widely used in everyday conversations and travel.
Use formal versions such as "Kumusta po kayo?" or "Magandang araw" to show respect, especially when speaking to elders or strangers.
Filipino is the national language of the Philippines based largely on Tagalog, but it incorporates words from English, Spanish, and regional languages.
Filipino pronouns like "Ako" (I), "Ikaw" (You), and "Kami" (We) are used differently based on context and formality.
Phrases like "Saan ang hintuan ng bus?" (Where is the bus stop?) and "Gusto kong bumaba dito." (I want to get off here) are useful for navigation.
Know expressions like "Tulong!" (Help!), "Sunog!" (Fire!), and "Tumawag ng doktor!" (Call a doctor!) for safety and emergencies.
Learn numbers from "Isa" (One) to "Isang bilyon" (One billion), plus ordinal numbers like "Ikalima" (Fifth) for daily use.
Useful phrases include "Magkano ito?" (How much is this?) and "Pwede bang tumawad?" (Can you lower the price?).
Familiarize yourself with terms like "Ngayon" (Now), "Mamaya" (Later), and "Sa makalawa" (Day after tomorrow) for scheduling and communication.
Filipino includes formal/informal layers, Spanish/English influences, and unique regional slang like Taglish and Swardspeak.
Taglish is mixing Tagalog and English—common in informal speech, media, and day-to-day conversations.
A flamboyant slang variant of Taglish used within LGBTQ+ communities, built from English, Spanish, pop culture and local wordplay.
Phrases like "Una sa lahat" ("First of all") and "Ayon sa…" are used in formal writing and presentations.
Filipino-speaking regions may use different words or constructs; Cebuano and Hiligaynon have their own versions of common phrases.
Focus on syllable stress and vowel clarity—getting "maganda" right helps meaning and intelligibility.
Common greetings include “Magandang umaga” (Good morning) and “Kamusta ka?” (How are you?).
“Po” and “Opo” are honorifics used to show respect, especially when addressing elders.
Yes, Filipino is considered easier than most Asian languages for English speakers due to shared vocabulary and familiar syntax.
Yes, English is widely understood, but using Filipino phrases enhances cultural connection and is appreciated by locals.
Examples include “Saan ang istasyon ng tren?” (Where is the train station?) and “Magkano ang pamasahe?” (How much is the fare?).
Use phrases like “Maaari mo ba akong tulungan?” (Can you help me?) or simply “Tulong!” (Help!).
1 - Isa, 2 - Dalawa, 3 - Tatlo, 4 - Apat, 5 - Lima, 6 - Anim, 7 - Pito, 8 - Walo, 9 - Siyam, 10 - Sampu.