{"id":23715,"date":"2025-08-01T16:14:45","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T09:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lubd.com\/useful-filipino-phrases-that-youll-need-on-your-ph-visit\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T16:40:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T09:40:21","slug":"useful-filipino-phrases-that-youll-need-on-your-ph-visit","status":"publish","type":"scoop","link":"https:\/\/lubd.com\/de\/useful-filipino-phrases-that-youll-need-on-your-ph-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"USEFUL FILIPINO PHRASES THAT YOU\u2019LL NEED ON YOUR PH VISIT"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"lubdmakati1\"\n
Credit: www.lubd.com<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Foreign travelers specially English-speaking ones have an advantage when visiting the Philippines since that is the country\u2019s second language and majority of the local population understands it. Some may also notice some familiar or similar sounding words because of the Spanish and English influence from the past. Nevertheless, the Filipino language is rich and here are some that you might need on your visit to the Philippines. You can surprise the locals with your local language prowess with these words\/phrases.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Magandang Araw<\/h2>\n

This is the basic Filipino greeting that translates to \u201cGood day\u201d. It also has variations depending on the time of the day. If it\u2019s early in the morning you say \u201cMagandang umaga!\u201d (good morning), and for the afternoon \u201cMagandang hapon.\u201d (good afternoon). You can also use \u201cMagandang gabi\u201d during the evening.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Kumusta ka?<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"lubdmakati2\"\n
Credit: www.lubd.com<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Borrowed from the Spanish phrase \u201cC\u00f3mo est\u00e1s?\u201d it literally translates to How are you? or How are you doing? As part of your introduction it usually follows the greeting Magandang umaga\/hapon\/gabi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Ano ang pangalan mo?<\/h2>\n

When trying to ask for someone\u2019s name this is what you can say. It translates to What is your name.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Ako si ______<\/h2>\n

If you are introducing yourself, you can use this phrase. It is \u201cMy name is ______\u201d in English<\/p>\n

Maligayang bati!<\/h2>\n

This phrase is used to give well wishes to someone. It also has the same meaning with Maligayang kaarawan or Happy Birthday.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Anong oras an?<\/h2>\n

You\u2019re phone battery could have died or you don\u2019t have a watch at the moment and you\u2019re trying to know what time it is? You can approach someone with a watch and use this phrase to ask for the time.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Salamat\/Salamat po!<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"wilhelm\n
Photo Credit: Klicken<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

This is something you will be using most of the time. This means \u201cthank you\u201d and if you are given thanks you say,<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Walang anuman<\/h2>\n

which means \u201cYou\u2019re welcome\u201d or \u201cNo problem\u201d in Filipino<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Magkano?<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Klicken<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Malls usually have tag prices in their products but if you go to local stores or souvenir shops, you might be inclined to ask for the price of items and so you say \u201cMagkano po ito?\u201d while pointing at the item. It means \u201cHow much is this?\u201d You can also haggle for a discount by saying \u201cTawad?\u201d or \u201cBawas?\u201d it means,\u201dIs there any discount?\u201d or \u201cReduce the price\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Bayad po<\/h2>\n

Going around the area without a private vehicle may require you to commute and this is what you say while handing over your fare.<\/p>\n

\"markus\n
Photo Credit: Klicken<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Also, if you are in the market, after haggling for the price if you did, this is said while giving your payment for the product\/service.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Para po<\/h2>\n

This is another phrase you can use when commuting. It means stop here. You can usually use this on buses, jeeps and tricycles but make sure to alight in valid spots or you might get caught by the authorities.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Masarap\/Ang sarap<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"lubdmakati3\"\n
Photo Credit: Klicken<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

This is a Filipino adjective that means \u201cdelicious\u201d or \u201cyummy\u201d. It is used to describe\u00a0pagkain\u00a0<\/em>(food).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Ano ito?<\/h2>\n

Ano means what in English. If you are asking for something that you are holding or pointing to right in front of you, say \u201cAno ito?\u201d (What is this?) and for something that is far, say \u201cAno iyon? \u201d (What is that?)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Sandali lang\/Saglit<\/h2>\n

The phrase means \u201cHold on\/Wait\u201d This is used when you are asking for someone to have patience or hold on a little bit longer.<\/p>\n

\"mimi\n
Photo Credit: Klicken<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Paumanhin\/Pasensya an<\/h2>\n

If you have inconvenienced someone, like saying something a bit out of line or making someone wait a long time, this is what you say. It\u2019s like saying sorry or apologizing for the trouble caused.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Paalam\/Sa muling pagkikita<\/h2>\n

This means \u201cGood bye\/Until we meet again.\u201d It is usually used when you\u2019re leaving the premises, the place you are staying at or even when leaving the country. You say it to the locals you may have met and bonded with.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Ingat ka<\/h2>\n

\u201cTake care!\u201d in English. Usually said right after \u201cPaalam\u201d. If this is told to a group of people, you can say \u201cIngat kayo\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Numbers and counting<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"counting\"\n
Photo Credit: Klicken<\/a><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

If you are trying to use numbers on quantifying something that you bought or want to buy, look below:<\/p>\n

One = Isa<\/p>\n

Two = Dalawa<\/p>\n

Three = Tatlo<\/p>\n

Four = Apat<\/p>\n

Five = Lima<\/p>\n

Six = Anim<\/p>\n

Seven = Pito<\/p>\n

Eight = Walo<\/p>\n

Nine = Siyam<\/p>\n

Ten = Sampu<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Do note that locals also use the Spanish version, that is,\u00a0Uno, Dos, Tres,\u00a0<\/em>and so on. You can also use this when counting your change.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Kaliwa at Kanan<\/h2>\n

This is usually used when conversing about directions: Kaliwa = Left and Kanan = Right<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Oo at Hindi<\/h2>\n

Oo is to affirm or say \u201cYes\u201d and Hindi is to disagree or say \u201cNo\u201d<\/p>\n

Po at Opo<\/h2>\n

This is basically added to make your statement more formal or show respect. Rather than just saying \u201coo\u201d, you can use \u201copo\u201d to make it more polite. You can add it to some of the above if not yet stated like:<\/p>\n

\u201cMagandang umaga po\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAno po ito?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnong oras na po?\u201d<\/p>\n

There are more you can learn, especially from the locals and they would gladly help you out on the translations. You can learn the basics of the language in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n

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