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Philippines ยท Tagalog Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Kumusta po
    Hello (po = polite marker) “koo-moos-tah po”
  2. 2
    Salamat po
    Thank you “sah-lah-mat po”
  3. 3
    Maraming salamat po
    Thank you very much “mah-rah-ming sah-lah-mat po”
  4. 4
    Pasensya na po
    Sorry / Excuse me “pah-sen-shah nah po”
  5. 5
    Opo / Hindi po
    Yes / No (polite form) “oh-po / hin-dee po”
  6. 6
    Walang anuman po
    You're welcome “wah-lang ah-noo-man po”
  7. 7
    Paalam po
    Goodbye “pah-ah-lam po”
Local etiquette
  • Adding "po" to your sentences shows respect; it's nearly required with elders and strangers older than you.
  • "Mano po" โ€” gently taking an elder's hand to your forehead โ€” is the highest sign of respect to older people.
  • English is widely spoken. Even a few Tagalog words are warmly appreciated.

Basics

  1. 1
    Oo / Hindi
    Yeah / No (casual) “oh-oh / hin-dee”
  2. 2
    Hindi ko po naiintindihan
    I don't understand “hin-dee ko po nah-ee-in-tin-dee-han”
  3. 3
    Marunong po ba kayo mag-English?
    Do you speak English? “mah-roo-nong po bah kah-yo mag-english?”
  4. 4
    Pakiulit po
    Please say that again “pah-kee-oo-lit po”
  5. 5
    Ano po ito?
    What is this? “ah-no po ee-toh?”
  6. 6
    Nasaan po ang CR?
    Where is the restroom? (CR = comfort room) “nah-sah-an po ang see-ar?”
  7. 7
    Pakitulungan po ninyo ako
    Please help me “pah-kee-too-loo-ngan po nin-yo ah-ko”
Local etiquette
  • Smiling and warmth are the best manners. A stern face or raised voice quickly sours interactions.
  • Filipinos value 'hiya' (face/shame). Publicly criticizing or getting angry deeply embarrasses the other person.
  • Pointing with the lips (a slight pout toward something) is common โ€” don't be surprised by it.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Magkano po ito?
    How much is this? “mag-kah-no po ee-toh?”
  2. 2
    Ang mahal naman po
    That's too expensive (start of haggling) “ang mah-hal nah-man po”
  3. 3
    Pwede po bang tumawad?
    Can I bargain? “pweh-deh po bang too-mah-wad?”
  4. 4
    Pabawas naman po
    Please take a little off “pah-bah-was nah-man po”
  5. 5
    Kukunin ko po ito
    I'll take this one “koo-koo-nin ko po ee-toh”
  6. 6
    Pwede po bang card?
    Can I pay by card? “pweh-deh po bang card?”
Local etiquette
  • You can haggle at public markets (palengke) and stalls. Ask politely with a smile: "Pwede po bang tumawad?"
  • Malls and supermarkets have fixed prices โ€” no bargaining there.
  • Carry small bills and coins; jeepneys and stalls often can't break large notes.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Menu po
    The menu, please “menu po”
  2. 2
    Ano po ang specialty ninyo?
    What's your specialty here? “ah-no po ang specialty nin-yo?”
  3. 3
    Ito po, isa
    One of this, please “ee-toh po, ee-sah”
  4. 4
    Isang kanin po
    One rice, please “ee-sang kah-nin po”
  5. 5
    Tubig po
    Water, please “too-big po”
  6. 6
    Hindi po masyadong maanghang
    Not too spicy, please “hin-dee po mah-shah-dong mah-ang-hang”
  7. 7
    Masarap po!
    So delicious! “mah-sah-rap po!”
  8. 8
    Bill po / Check po
    The bill, please “bill po / check po”
Local etiquette
  • To call staff, don't shout โ€” make eye contact and raise your eyebrows slightly, or lift a hand gently.
  • Rice usually comes with most meals. Some 'kamayan' spots have you eat with your hands โ€” fun to try.
  • If no 10% service charge is added, leaving small change as a tip is appreciated.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Sa address na ito po
    To this address, please “sah address nah ee-toh po”
  2. 2
    Grab na lang po
    Let's just take a Grab (Grab app recommended) “grab nah lang po”
  3. 3
    Magkano po ang pamasahe?
    How much is the fare? “mag-kah-no po ang pah-mah-sah-heh?”
  4. 4
    Para po!
    Stop here, please! (to get off a jeepney) “pah-rah po!”
  5. 5
    Bayad po
    Here's my fare (paying on a jeepney) “bah-yad po”
  6. 6
    Nasaan po ang sakayan?
    Where is the boarding point? “nah-sah-an po ang sah-kah-yan?”
  7. 7
    Naligaw po ako
    I'm lost “nah-lee-gaw po ah-ko”
Local etiquette
  • The jeepney is the classic local ride. Pass your fare forward to the driver and say "Bayad po."
  • To get off, shout "Para po!" or tap a coin on the roof.
  • For regular and airport taxis, check the meter; for safe fixed fares, using the Grab app is easiest.

Hotel

  1. 1
    May reservation po ako
    I have a reservation “my reservation po ah-ko”
  2. 2
    Check-in po
    I'd like to check in “check-in po”
  3. 3
    Anong oras po ang check-out?
    What time is check-out? “ah-nong oh-ras po ang check-out?”
  4. 4
    Ano po ang Wi-Fi password?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “ah-no po ang wai-fai password?”
  5. 5
    Pwede po bang mag-iwan ng bag?
    May I leave my bag here? “pweh-deh po bang mag-ee-wan nang bag?”
Local etiquette
  • Using "po" even with staff (who may be older) earns you kinder service.
  • Power and water cuts happen occasionally. At budget places, confirm hot water and AC before booking.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Tulong!
    Help! “too-long!”
  2. 2
    Tumawag po kayo ng pulis!
    Please call the police! “too-mah-wag po kah-yo nang poo-lis!”
  3. 3
    Tumawag po kayo ng ambulansya!
    Please call an ambulance! “too-mah-wag po kah-yo nang am-boo-lan-shah!”
  4. 4
    Nasaan po ang ospital?
    Where is a hospital? “nah-sah-an po ang os-pee-tal?”
  5. 5
    Nawala po ang passport ko
    I lost my passport “nah-wah-lah po ang passport ko”
Local etiquette
  • The emergency number is 911 (police, fire, and ambulance combined).
  • When visiting churches, dress modestly covering shoulders and knees, and stay quiet during Mass.