Greetings

1. Kumusta ka?

   Hello / How are you?

   Usage

   Everyday greeting. Reply: "Mabuti naman, salamat" (Fine, thank you)

   Grammar Note

   "Kumusta" is borrowed from Spanish "¿Cómo está?". "Ka" is the informal 2nd person singular subject pronoun. Tagalog verbs use a "focus" system where verb form changes to mark whether actor, object, location, or beneficiary is the sentence focus.

2. Magandang umaga

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting, used before noon

   Grammar Note

   Literally "beautiful morning". "-ng" is a linker particle connecting adjective and noun. Pattern: "Magandang + time of day": tanghali (noon), hapon (afternoon), gabi (evening).

3. Magandang gabi

   Good evening

   Grammar Note

   Used from evening onwards. "Gabi" means night/evening. Filipinos place great cultural importance on greetings as expressions of warmth and respect.

4. Salamat

   Thank you

   Usage

   "Maraming salamat" = Thank you very much

   Grammar Note

   Derived from Arabic "salāmat" (safety/peace). "Maraming salamat" = thank you very much. "Salamat po" is polite (po/opo are respect markers used with elders and strangers).

5. Walang anuman

   You're welcome

   Grammar Note

   Literally "nothing at all". "Wala" expresses absence/negation. Pattern "Wala + ng + noun" is versatile: "Walang problema" (no problem), "Walang hiya" (shameless).

6. Pasensya na

   Sorry / Please excuse me

   Usage

   Used for minor apologies or getting past someone. "Paumanhin" is a more formal apology.

   Grammar Note

   From Spanish "paciencia" (patience). "Na" softens commands/requests, or signals "now/already" in other contexts: "Tara na" (let's go), "Kain na" (let's eat).

7. Oo / Hindi

   Yes / No

   Usage

   "Opo" is the polite form of yes. "Hindi po" is polite no.

   Grammar Note

   "Hindi" is the general negator placed before verbs/adjectives. Different from Hindi (the Indian language). "Wala" negates existence/possession. "Oo" has polite form "Opo" used with elders.

8. Naiintindihan ko

   I understand

   Grammar Note

   "Naiintindihan" is "intindi" (understand) with ma-…-an, a non-volitional/stative form meaning "to be understood / to get it". Tagalog often uses VSO word order (verb first). "Ko" is the genitive pronoun that marks the actor. Negate with "Hindi ko naiintindihan".

9. Marunong ka bang magsalita ng Ingles?

   Can you speak English?

   Grammar Note

   "Ba" is the yes/no question marker (becomes "bang" after vowels). "Magsalita" uses the mag- actor-focus prefix. "Ng" marks the object. Philippines is highly multilingual — English is widely spoken.

10. Ano ang pangalan mo?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    Reply: "Ang pangalan ko ay…" (My name is…)

    Grammar Note

    "Ang" is the topic/focus marker — the noun marked by "ang" is the sentence focus. This is the core of Tagalog's focus system. "Mo" is the genitive (your). Basic question word: "Ano" (what).

11. Paalam

    Goodbye

    Usage

    "Hanggang sa muli" (until next time) is a casual alternative

    Grammar Note

    "Pa-alam" = to inform/give notice (of departure). Filipinos also say "Ingat" (take care) at goodbyes, reflecting the culture's warmth and concern for others.

12. Mabuhay!

    Welcome! Long live! Cheers!

    Usage

    Universal exclamation for welcome, toasts, and celebrations

    Grammar Note

    "Ma-" prefix creates stative adjectives: "mabuhay" = to be alive = long live! It is the Philippines' official welcome word, similar to "aloha" in Hawaii. Used for toasts and celebrations.

13. Nasaan ang CR?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Used to ask where the toilet is. CR (Comfort Room) is the Filipino English term for toilet

    Grammar Note

    "CR" (Comfort Room) is the uniquely Filipino English term for toilet. "Nasaan" is the location question word. "Banyo" (from Spanish "baño") is also used

14. Hindi ako marunong mag-Filipino

    I can't speak Filipino

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you cannot speak Filipino

    Grammar Note

    "Marunong + mag-[language]" = knows how to speak [language]. "Hindi ako marunong" = I don't know how to. Filipino and Tagalog refer to the same language

15. Babalik po ako

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

16. Naging masaya ang araw ko

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting ways

17. Salamat, magkita na lang tayo ulit

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

18. Lalabas na ako

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving the guesthouse

19. Nakauwi na ako

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said when returning to the guesthouse — a natural, everyday Filipino way to say "I'm home"

20. Mauna na ako

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    Said when leaving before others, e.g. at a meal

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