Notably missing in Tagalog are the ''to be'' verbs, such as ''am, are, is, etc.'' This can be overcome in one of several ways:
; Use ''"ay"'': This is not a verb, but means "is equal to" ; Use ''"may"'': This is a verb which can mean "there is/are" (beginning of sentence only) ; Skip it: Where not absolutely needed for meaning, it can be omitted--even though this sounds awful in English. ''Sino siya?'' literally ''who he?'' (or '' who she?'')
The good news regarding word order in Filipino is that you can juggle the words just about any which way and still be understood (assuming the personal markers are attached to the correct person). Also, it's easy to substitute similar words within simple sentences -- like those found in this phrasebook. However, the bad news is that ''proper'' word order has a steep learning curve and can even be affected by the number of syllables. Also, Filipino is notorious for its large number of complicated verb forms which require several words in English. For example, "''I accidentally spilled something''" is all one '''very''' long, tongue-twisting word in Filipino.
; ng : pronounced ''nang'', genitive marker like English "of"<br>''Republika ng Pilipinas'' → Republic of the Philippines ; mga : pronounced ''manga'', plural marker like English "-s"<br>''mga magulang'' → parents}}
Although Filipino words may seem long and tongue-twisting at first, pronunciation is easier than in many other languages. Long words are almost always based on smaller root words. The only foreign sound is an initial ''ng'' on a few words such as ''ngiti'' (smile). Unlike its neighboring languages (e.g. Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese) Filipino is NOT tonal. However, stressing the wrong syllable can often change the meaning of a word. Only very rarely does this occur in English (such as desert/dessert). Meanings in such cases can be either closely related such as ''buhay'' (alive or life), or totally unrelated such as ''hapon'' (afternoon or Japan).
; a : like 'a' in "bat" ; e : like 'e' in "ten" ; i : like 'i' in "fin" ; o : like 'o' in "dog" ; u : like 'oo' in "hoop"
; b : like 'b' in "bed" ; k : like 'k' in "kid" ; d : like 'd' in "dog" ; g : like 'g' in "go" ; h : like 'h' in "help" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries) ; l : like 'l' in "love" ; m : like 'm' in "mother" ; n : like 'n' in "nice" ; ng : like 'ng' in "fang", ''but'' pronounced 'nang' as a standalone word ; p : like 'p' in "pig" ; r : like 'r' in "row", like 'r' in "feather" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries at end of word) ; s : like 'ss' in "hiss", like 'z' in "haze" ; t : like 't' in "top" ; w : like 'w' in "weight" ; y : like 'y' in "yes", like 'ie' in "pie", like 'ee' in "flee"
; c : like 's' in "supper", 'k' in "kid" ; f : like 'f' in "fine" ; j : like 'dg' in "edge", 'h' in "ham" ; n : like 'ny' in "canyon" ; q : like 'q' in "quest" (with "u", almost always) ; v : like 'v' in "victory" ; x : like 'cks' in "kicks", like 'z' in "haze" (at beginning of a word) ; z : like 'z' in "haze"
; ay : like 'igh' in "high": ''tatay'', father ; aw : like 'ow' in "cow": ''kalabaw'', carabao/water buffalo ; ey : like 'ay' in "say": ''reyna'', queen ; iw : like "eew": ''baliw'', crazy ; oy : like 'oy' in "boy": ''apoy'', fire
; oo (opo) : Yes, I'm married. ; hindi (po) : No, I'm not married. ; mayroon (po) : Yes, I have children. ; wala (po) : No, I don't have children. <br> ;Negative tag questions are answered in the opposite way compared to English :
; Are you NOT married? : '''Hindi''' (No, I '''am''' married.)<p> '''Oo''' (Yes, I am '''not''' married.) <br> <br> In a '''Full''' and '''Complete''' sentence "mayroon" can be shortened to '''MAY''' (sounds like English "May"). Most often this means ''have/has/there are'' rather than a direct ''yes''. ; May mga bata sa eskwela. : There are kids in the school. ; May barya ka ba sa piso? : Do you have change for a peso?
Add ''po'' at (or near) the end of a sentence or question to make it formal and polite. Exception: after an interrogative ''po'' immediately follows. ''Sino po siya?'' Who is he/she? (formal) <u>It is important to note that "opo" (po) and "oho" (ho) are only used to be polite to one's elders.</u> ''Ho'' (not used in this phrasebook) is a dialectal version of ''po'' and can virtually always be interchanged with it. Although its use is very limited in Manila and the Northern Katagalugan (''The Tagalog Homeland''), many people use it in Southern Luzon, especially in Batangas, Cavite and Laguna. ''Po'' (or ''Ho'') and ''Opo'' (or ''Oho'') is most commonly heard to show respect to elders or superiors. ''Po'' (and ''ho'') are incompatible with ''ka'' and ''ikaw'' (use ''kayo'') and with ''mo'' (use ''nila'').
; Yes (logical): Oo (''OH-OH'') (informal) Opo (''OH-po'') (formal) ; No (logical) : Hindi (''hin-DEE'') (informal) Hindi po (formal) ; Yes (''to have'' or ''there are some'') : Mayroon (''MAY-ron'') (informal, also 'Meron') Mayroon po (formal) ; No (''to not have'' or ''there is none'') : Wala (''wa-LAH'') (informal) Wala po (formal) ; I don't know : Hindi ko alam. (informal) Hindi ko po alam. (formal) ; Hello : Hi (Like the word 'High' - same as in English) ; How are you? : Kumusta ka? (''Kah-MOOS-ta-kah'') (informal) Kumusta po kayo? (''Kah-MOOS-ta-POO-kah-yoh'') (formal) ; Fine, thank you. : Ayos naman, salamat. (''Ayos nahman, sahlahmat'') Mabuti po, salamat. (formal) ; And you : Ikaw? (''ee-COW'') (informal) Kayo po? (formal) ; Good/Well : Mabuti (''mah-BOO-tee'') Mabuti po (formal) ; What is your name? : Anong pangalan mo? (''Ah-nong pah-nga-lan moh'') (informal) Ano po ang pangalan nila? (formal) ; My name is ______ . : Ang pangalan ko ay _______. <br> Note: As shown above, markers ('''Si''' / '''Ni''' / '''Kay''') are mandatory before a person's name -- no exceptions (other than one word answers, and after ''ay'') : '''"I'm John"''' Ako '''si''' John. : ''' "John's"''' or '''"by John"''' (ownership/authorship) '''Kay''' John. <br> "Who does this belong to?" may be answered with either "It is John's" "'''Kay''' John" or "John's bag" Bag '''ni''' John. <br> ; Nice/pleased to meet you. : Ikinagagalak kong makilala ka. (''...'') Ikinagagalak ko po kayong makilala. (formal) ; Please. : Pakiusap (po). ; Thank you. : Salamat (informal) Salamat po (formal) ; Thank you very much : Maraming salamat (informal) Maraming salamat po (formal) ; You're welcome. : Walang anuman. (literally ''It is nothing.'' or ''No problem.'') ; Take care. : Ingat! ; How old are you? : Ilang taon ka na? ; Where are you from? : Taga-saan ka? (''Tah-gah sah-ahn kah?'') ; Where do you live? : Saan ka nakatira? ; Where have you been? : Saan ka galing? (often used rhetorically) ; Where are you going? : Saan ka pupunta? (''Sah-ahn kah poo-poon-tah?'') ; Can you accompany me to _____? : Pwede mo ba akong samahan sa _____? ; Can you take me to _____ ? : Pwede mo ba akong dalhin sa _____ ? ; What is your work? : Anong trabaho mo? ; What are you doing? : Ano ang ginagawa mo? (''ano ang ge-nah-gah-WAH mo'') ; Where do you go to school? : Saan ka nag-aaral? ; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : Excuse me. (''ehkz-KYOOZ mee'') Mawalang galang na po. (''Mah-wah-lang GAH-lung nah poh'') ; May I ____ ? (''To ask for permission'') : Maaari po bang maki-____ ? (''Mah-a-AH-ree poo BAHng mah-KEE-___'') ; I'm sorry. : Paumanhin. (''pah-OO-man-hin'') ; Goodbye : Paalam. ; Goodbye (''informal'') : Bye. (''BIGH'') ; I can't speak (insert name of language) [well]. : Hindi ako marunong mag-(insert name of language) [mabuti]. ; Help! : Saklolo! (''SAHK-lolo!'') or Tulong! (''TOO-LONG'') ; Look out! : Look out! (''look OWT!'') ; Good morning. (lit. 'beautiful morning'): Magandang umaga (''ma-GAHN-dang oo-MAH-ga'') (informal) <br> Magandang umaga po (''ma-GAHN-dang oo-MAH-ga po'') (formal) ; Good day : Magandang araw (''ma-GAHN-dang AH-row'') ; Good afternoon: Magandang hapon (''ma-GAHN-dang HA-pon'') ; Good evening : Magandang gabi. (''ma-GAHN-dang gah-BI'') ; Goodnight (''to sleep'') : Goodnight. (''good NIGHT'') ; I don't understand. : Hindi ko maintindihan. ; Where is the bathroom/washroom? : Nasaan ang C.R.? (''NAH-SAH-an ang C R?'') [where C.R. = Comfort Room ~ Rest Room] ; What time is it? : Anong oras na? ; Do you understand English? : Nakakaintindi ka ba ng Ingles? ; Do you speak English? : Marunong ka ba mag-Ingles? or Nakapagsasalita ka ba ng Ingles? ; Yes, I speak/understand a little. : Oo, kaunti lang. ; I don't understand Tagalog. : Hindi ako nakakaintindi ng Tagalog. ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Meron ba ditong marunong mag-Ingles? ; Who is she/he? : Sino siya? ; What is she/he saying? : Anong sinasabi niya? ; What do you mean? : Anong ibig mong sabihin? ; Please say it again/pardon. : Paki-ulit. ; Please write it down: Pakisulat. ; Let's go! : Tara (na)!(very informal) Halika. (semi-formal) ; Wait! : Teka! or Sandali (lang)! ; Can I speak to ____ ? (on the phone) : Pwedeng makausap si _____? ; One moment : Sandali lang. ; Who? : Sino? ; What? : Ano? ; Why? : Bakit? ; Where? : Saan? (''sah-AHN'') ; When? : Kailan? (''kah-ee-LAHN'' or ''kigh-LAHN'') ; How? : Paano? (''pah-AH-no'') ; How many? : Ilan? ; How much? : Magkano?
Like English, there is no gender assigned to common nouns, including those of Spanish origin. The only exception is Spanish-origin words refering to a type of person or occupation. But even here, the article (''ang'', ''ng'', etc.) is gender neutral. Example: ''Ang abogado/a'' The lawyer or attorney (m/f). Ironically, Tagalog-origin words can even be more gender neutral than English. Example: ''kapatid'' brother or sister.
For plurals, add ''mga'' immediately before the noun. Example: '''''Mga''' hayop'' Animal'''s'''. Adding ''"_s"'' does '''not''' make anything plural, and is sometimes used on Spanish nouns regardless of whether the topic is plural or not. Example: ''mansanas'' apple; ''mga mansanas'' apples (from Spanish ''manzana'') .
One point of confusion is the word ''Filipinas''. It can mean either The Philippines (the country) or a group of Philippine females.
; Girl/Female: Babae ; Boy/Male : Lalaki ; Animal : Hayop ; Place : Lugar ; Name: Pangalan ; Nickname : Palayaw ; Surname : Apelyido ; Address : Tirahan ; Age : Edad ; Sex/Gender : Kasarian ; School : Eskwelahan/Paaralan ; Variety Store : Tindahan ; Birthday : Kaarawan ; Birthdate : Kapanganakan ; Child : Anak(refers to son/daugther)/Bata(refers to young child) ; Adult : Matanda ; Tricycle : Tricycle ; Jeepney : Jeepney ; Bus : Bus (''boos'') ; Train : Tren ; Light : Ilaw ; Water : Tubig ; Electricity : Kuryente ; Table : Mesa ; Couch : Sofa ; Chair : Silya ; Living room : Sala ; Kitchen : Kusina ; Bedroom : Kwarto ; Bathroom : Banyo(formal)/Kubeta(informal)/CR(casual) ; Picture : Litrato ; Radio : Radyo ; Air Conditioner : Aircon ; Television : Telebisyon or TV ; Refrigirator : Pridyider/Ref ; Faucet : Gripo ; Door : Pinto ; Window : Bintana ; Friend : Kaibigan ; Mother : Nanay ; Father : Tatay ; Brother/Sister : Kapatid ; Relative : Kamag-anak ; Neighbor : Kapit-bahay ; Wife : Asawa ; Husband : Asawa ; Fiancee : Nobyo/Nobya(for female) ; Buddy : Pare
Separate adjectives are sometimes used to describe things and people (e.g. tall building, tall person). Adjectives without a noun are often ended with the article ''na'' which roughly translates as "already" or "now." This is usually dropped when translating back into English. ''Madumi na.'' [It's] dirty (now/already). In Tagalog, an article such as ''na'' or ''pa'' is required when no noun follows the adjective. ''Na'' is a bit more immediate (i.e. shorter time than expected) than ''pa'', but both have similar usage.
Many nouns can become adjectives by adding the prefix '''''Ma''''', such as ''Dumi'' (dirt) becoming '''''Ma'''dumi'' (dirty).
Adjective-noun pairs must be linked. ''Na'' (not the same ''na'' as above) is used if the adjective ends in a constant, and ''_ng'' is used if it ends in a vowel. Maganda'''ng''' babae (beautiful girl). Malinis '''na''' kusina (clean kitchen).
; Beautiful : Maganda ; Handsome : Guwapo/Pogi ; Ugly : Pangit ; Good : Mabuti ; Bad : Masama ; Smart/Intelligent : Matalino ; Tall (person) : Matangkad ; Short/Small : Maliit ; Clean : Malinis ; Dirty : Madumi ; Delicious : Masarap ; Bland : Matabang ; Large : Malaki ; Medium : Katamtaman ; Small : Maliit ; Cold : Malamig ; Hot : Mainit ; Happy : Masaya ; Sad/Lonely : Malungkot ; Far : Malayo ; Close/Near : Malapit ; Loud : Malakas ; Noisy : Maingay ; Silent : Tahimik ; High : Mataas ; Low : Mababa ; Old (person) : Matanda ; Old (things): Luma
; Here : Dito ; There : Doon ; Outside : Sa labas ; Inside : Sa loob ; Upstairs : Sa itaas ; Downstairs : Sa ibaba ; Behind : Sa likod ; Next : Katabi ; Beside : Katabi ; Front : Harapan ; Back : Likuran
Note: In some cases Spanish numbers (with Filipino spelling) are used.
; 1 : isa (''ee- sa'') ; 2 : dalawa (''da- la- wa'') ; 3 : tatlo (''tat- lo'') ; 4 : apat (''AH- pat'') ; 5 : lima (''lee- ma'') ; 6 : anim (''A- neem'') ; 7 : pito (''pee- to'') ; 8 : walo (''wa- lo'') ; 9 : siyam (''sh- yum'') (sounds like sham) ; 10 : sampu (''sum- pu'') ; 11 : labing-isa (''la-bing ...'') ; 12 : labing-dalawa (''...'') ; 13 : labing-tatlo (''...'') ; 14 : labing-apat (''...'') ; 15 : labing-lima (''...'') ; 16 : labing-anim (''...'') ; 17 : labing-pito (''...'') ; 18 : labing-walo (''...'') ; 19 : labing-siyam (''...'') ; 20 : dalawampu (''da-la-wam-POOH'') ; 21 : dalawampu't isa (''da-la-wam-POOT'') ; 22 : dalawampu't dalawa (''...'') ; 23 : dalawampu't tatlo (''...'') ; 30 : tatlumpu : trenta (for currency, e.g. ''trenta pesos'', 30 pesos) (''...'') ; 40 : apatnapu : kwarenta (currency)(''...'') ; 50 : limampu : singkwenta (currency)(''...'') ; 60 : animnapu : sisenta (currency) (''...'') ; 70 : pitumpu : sitenta (currency) (''...'') ; 80 : walumpu : otsenta (currency)(''...'') ; 90 : siyamnapu : nobenta (currency)(''...'') ; 100 : isang daan (''...'') ; 200 : dalawang daan (''...'') ; 300 : tatlong daan (''...'') ; 1000 : isang libo (''...'') ; 2000 : dalawang libo (''...'') ; 1,000,000 : isang milyon (''...'') ; 1,000,000,000 : isang libong milyon sa UK, isang bilyon sa USA ; 1,000,000,000,000 : isang bilyon sa UK, isang trilyon sa USA ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : bilang _____ (''BEE-lang'') : numero _____ (usually with a Spanish number, e.g. ''numero uno'', number one) ; half : kalahati (''...'') ; less : kaunti (''...'') or konti ; more : madami (''...'') or marami
For numbers above 10, Spanish is frequently used.
; now : ngayon (''nga-yon'') ; a while ago/earlier : kanina (''...'') ; later : mamaya (''MA-ma-ya'') ; before : bago (''BA-go'') ; after : pagkatapos (''pag-ka-ta-pos'') ; morning : umaga (''oo-MA-ga'') ; noon : tanghali (''tang-HA-li'') ; afternoon : hapon (''HA-pawn'') ; evening : gabi (''GAbee'') ; night : gabi (''GAbee'') ; midnight : hatinggabi (''ha-TING-ga-bee'') ; dawn : madaling-araw (''ma-da-LING-a-raw'', rhymes with ''allow'')
"ng" is pronounced 'nang' (rhymes with sang) (ng is pronunced, like many 'g' in Tagalog and all Filipino languages, have a throaty 'g', so ng would be pronunced more like nah-ng)
;Anong oras na? : What time is it? (''Ah-nong O-ras Nah?'')
; one o'clock AM : ala una ng madaling araw ; two o'clock AM : alas dos ng madaling araw ; three o'clock AM : alas tres ng madaling araw ; four o'clock AM : alas kwatro ng madaling araw ; five o'clock AM : alas singko ng madaling araw ; six o'clock AM : alas sais ng umaga ; seven o'clock AM : alas siyete ng umaga ; eight o'clock AM : alas otso ng umaga ; nine o'clock AM : alas nuwebe ng umaga ; ten o'clock AM : alas diyes ng umaga ; eleven o'clock AM : alas onse ng umaga ; twelve o'clock/noon : alas dose ng tanghali ; one o'clock PM : ala una ng hapon ; two o'clock PM : alas dos ng hapon ; three o'clock PM : alas tres ng hapon ; four o'clock PM : alas kwatro ng hapon ; five o'clock PM : alas singko ng hapon ; seven o'clock PM : ala siyete ng hating gabi ; six o'clock PM : ala sais ng hating gabi ; eight o'clock PM : alas otso ng hating gabi ; nine o'clock PM : alas nuebe ng hating gabi ; ten o'clock PM : alas dies ng hating gabi ; eleven o'clock PM : alas onse ng hating gabi ; one o'clock PM : ala una ng hapon ; two o'clock PM : alas dos ng gabi ; twelve o'clock/midnight : alas dose ng madaling araw ; one thirty o'clock PM : ala una y media ng hapon ; two thiry PM : alas dos y media ng hapon ; one thirty AM : ala una y media ng madaling araw ; nine thirty AM : alas nuwebe ng umaga ; one forty five AM : ala una kwarenta y singko ng umaga ; nine forty five AM : alas nuebe kwarenta y singko ng umaga
; _____ second(s) : _____ segundo (''se-GUN-daw'') ; _____ minute(s) : _____ minuto (''mi-NU-to'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____oras (''O-ras'') ; _____ day(s) : _____araw (''A-raw'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ linggo (''ling-gaw'') ; _____ month(s) : _____buwan (''boo-wan'') ; _____ year(s) : _____taon (''ta-on'')
The Filipino language borrowed its terms for the days of the week and months of the year from the Spanish language.
; today : ngayon (''nga-yon'') ; yesterday : kahapon (''ka-HA-pon'') ; tomorrow : bukas (''BOO-kas'') ; this week : ngayong linggo (''nga-YONG ling-go'') ; last week : nakaraang linggo (''na-ka-ra-ang ling-go'') ; next week : sa isang linggo (''sa ee-sang ling-go'')
; Sunday : Linggo (''LING-go'') ; Monday : Lunes (''LOO-ness'') ; Tuesday : Martes (''MAR-tess'') ; Wednesday : Miyerkoles (''MEE-yer-ko-less'') ; Thursday : Huwebes (''HOO-weh-bess'') ; Friday : Biyernes (''BEE-yer-ness'') ; Saturday : Sabado (''SA-ba-do'')
; January : Enero (''Eh-neh-raw'') ; February : Pebrero (''Peb-reh-raw'') ; March : Marso (''Mar-saw'') ; April : Abril (''A-brill'') ; May : Mayo (''Mah-yaw'') ; June : Hunyo (''Hun-yaw'') ; July : Hulyo (''Hul-yaw'') ; August : Agosto (''A-GOS-taw'') ; September : Setyembre (''Set-YEM-breh'') ; October : Oktubre (''Ok-TOO-breh'') ; November : Nobyembre (''Nob-YEM-breh'') ; December : Disyembre (''Dis-YEM-breh'')
Times are written as in English (as in 6:23 AM) but are spoken as in Spanish.
Most Philippine road signs are in English.
; stop (''on a street sign'') : stop ('''') ; one way : one way (''...'') ; yield : yield (''...'') ; no parking : no parking (''walang paradahan'') ; speed limit : speed limit (''...'') ; gas (''petrol'') station : gas station/gasolinahan (''...'') ; petrol : petrol (''...'') ; diesel : diesel (''...'')
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