Almost everyone in BGC speaks English, so you won't need these to get by. But a few words of Filipino (Tagalog) go a long way with drivers, helpers, guards and market stalls, and people love it when you try.
Two things to know. Add po to be polite to anyone older than you or anyone serving you: salamat po, opo. And capitals in the guide show the stressed syllable: sa-LA-mat. Filipinos mix in English all the time (Taglish), so half-and-half sentences are completely normal.
Basics
Greetings, thanks and getting unstuck.
Salamat po.
sa-LA-mat po
Thank you.
Walang anuman.
wa-LANG a-nu-MAN
You're welcome.
Magandang umaga po.
ma-gan-DANG u-MA-ga po
Good morning.
Hapon (HA-pon) for afternoon, gabi (ga-BI) for evening.
Opo. / Hindi po.
O-po / hin-DI po
Yes. / No.
Oo (o-O) is the casual yes, with friends.
Pasensya na po.
pa-SEN-sya na po
Sorry. / Excuse me.
For a small mistake or a wait.
Makikiraan po.
ma-ki-ki-ra-AN po
Excuse me, coming through.
In a lift or a crowded aisle.
Hindi ko po naiintindihan.
hin-DI ko po na-i-in-tin-DI-han
I don't understand.
Dahan-dahan lang po.
da-HAN da-HAN lang po
Slowly, please.
Marunong po ba kayong mag-Ingles?
ma-RU-nong po ba ka-YONG mag-ING-gles
Do you speak English?
Ingat!
I-ngat
Take care!
The usual goodbye.
Getting around
For Grab drivers, guards and the jeepney.
Para po!
PA-ra po
Stop here, please!
Called out on a jeepney or to any driver.
Diyan lang po sa tabi.
dyan lang po sa ta-BI
Just there, by the side.
Kaliwa. / Kanan.
ka-li-WA / KA-nan
Left. / Right.
Diretso lang po.
di-RET-so lang po
Straight ahead.
Saan po ang CR?
sa-AN po ang see-AR
Where's the restroom?
CR means comfort room.
Malayo pa ba?
ma-LA-yo pa ba
Is it still far?
Dito na lang po.
DI-to na lang po
Here is fine.
Shopping and markets
Prices are usually said in English, so listen for the numbers.
Magkano po ito?
mag-KA-no po i-TO
How much is this?
Pwede pong tumawad?
PWE-de pong tu-MA-wad
Can you give me a discount?
Fine at markets and tiangges, not in malls.
Mahal naman!
ma-HAL na-MAN
That's expensive!
Say it with a smile.
Wala po akong barya.
wa-LA po a-KONG BAR-ya
I don't have small change.
Pakibalot po.
pa-ki-BA-lot po
Please wrap it.
Ito na lang po.
i-TO na lang po
I'll just take this one.
At home
With a helper, nanny or driver. Kind words matter as much as instructions.
Kumain ka na ba?
ku-ma-IN ka na ba
Have you eaten?
A common, caring hello.
Pakilinis po ang kusina.
pa-ki-LI-nis po ang ku-SI-na
Please clean the kitchen.
Paki- makes any verb a polite please.
Pakiluto po ng hapunan.
pa-ki-LU-to po nang ha-PU-nan
Please cook dinner.
Anong oras ka babalik?
a-NONG O-ras ka ba-BA-lik
What time will you be back?
Salamat sa tulong mo.
sa-LA-mat sa TU-long mo
Thanks for your help.
Magpahinga ka muna.
mag-pa-hi-NGA ka mu-NA
Take a rest first.
Ang galing mo!
ang ga-LING mo
You're great at this!
Eating out
From turo-turo stalls to the High Street bistros.
Isa pa po.
i-SA pa po
One more, please.
Bill out po.
bil awt po
The bill, please.
Or draw a square in the air.
Walang yelo po.
wa-LANG YE-lo po
No ice, please.
Huwag pong maanghang.
hu-WAG pong ma-ang-HANG
Not spicy, please.
Masarap!
ma-sa-RAP
Delicious!
Busog na ako.
BU-sog na a-KO
I'm full.
Kain tayo!
ka-IN TA-yo
Let's eat!
Also how people invite you to join them.
Pronunciation is our plain-English guide, not a phonetic transcription. Tagalog is the base of Filipino, the national language; in Manila you'll hear them used as one.
Almost everyone in BGC speaks English, so you won't need these to get by. But a few words of Filipino (Tagalog) go a long way with drivers, helpers, guards and market stalls, and people love it when you try.
Two things to know. Add po to be polite to anyone older than you or anyone serving you: salamat po, opo. And capitals in the guide show the stressed syllable: sa-LA-mat. Filipinos mix in English all the time (Taglish), so half-and-half sentences are completely normal.
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Pronunciation is our plain-English guide, not a phonetic transcription. Tagalog is the base of Filipino, the national language; in Manila you'll hear them used as one.