Slang

1. Tara!

   Let's go!

   Usage

   The standard invitation: "tara, kain tayo" is "let's go eat". Casual, but its cheerful tone makes it safe with almost anyone

2. Sige

   OK / Go ahead

   Usage

   An all-purpose word for agreeing and for saying goodbye. Add "po" — "sige po" — to make it polite. One of the most useful words on a trip

3. Ayos!

   Nice! / All good!

   Usage

   Literally "in order". Works as agreement or as praise, and is safe with anyone

4. Naks!

   Wow, nice!

   Usage

   An exclamation halfway between admiration and teasing, for when a friend says or shows off something good. Among friends your age only

5. Grabe!

   Wow! / Intense!

   Usage

   From Spanish "grave". An exclamation for anything striking, good or bad. Not a curse, so it is safe in any company

6. Naku!

   Oh no! / Oh my!

   Usage

   A contraction of "Ina ko" (my mother), used for dismay or surprise. Older people use it too, so it is safe in any company

7. Charot!

   Just kidding!

   Usage

   Tagged onto a joke to mark it as one. It spread from swardspeak (gay lingo) and is now used by everyone. Casual — not for formal settings

8. Chika

   Chat / Gossip

   Usage

   "Ano'ng chika?" means "what's the news?". It refers to harmless catching-up. For friends your age, not for strangers or elders

9. Bes

   Bestie

   Usage

   Short for "best friend", used to address someone close. Not for strangers or elders — with shop staff it comes off as over-familiar

10. Ate

    Older sister (form of address)

    Usage

    Pronounced "AH-teh". Used for any older woman, related or not. Addressing shop and stall staff this way is polite and one of the most useful habits you can pick up

11. Kuya

    Older brother (form of address)

    Usage

    The male counterpart of "ate". Polite for addressing drivers and staff — "kuya, para po" is how you get off a jeepney

12. Jowa

    Boyfriend / Girlfriend

    Usage

    A partner of any gender. "May jowa ka na?" (do you have someone?) is a question between friends — not one for a first meeting

13. Gigil

    The urge to squeeze something cute

    Usage

    The clenched feeling something adorable provokes — a famously untranslatable Filipino word. Safe about babies and animals; aimed at an adult it is too familiar

14. Bahala na

    Come what may

    Usage

    An expression at the core of the Filipino outlook: leaving the outcome to fate or God. Safe with anyone, though it sounds careless if you say it about a work commitment

15. Lodi

    Idol / Someone you look up to

    Usage

    "Idol" spelled backwards. A positive word used to praise someone, at home among friends and on social media. With elders, just say "idol"

16. Sana all

    Wish that were all of us

    Usage

    The set phrase for good-natured envy at someone's good fortune: Tagalog "sana" (I wish) plus English "all". It is a joke, not resentment. For friends and social media

17. Kain tayo

    Let's eat (join us)

    Usage

    What Filipinos say to anyone passing while they eat. It may be a real invitation or just courtesy — "salamat, kain na po ako" (thanks, I've eaten) declines it gracefully

18. Ingat

    Take care

    Usage

    The standard parting word, as "ingat ka" or the polite "ingat po". Safe with anyone, and it carries a lot of Filipino warmth

Browse all TravelPhrases languages