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Basic Filipino (Tagalog) Greetings

Greetings, introductions, thanks, apologies, and farewells -- learn 14 basic Filipino phrases with phonetic pronunciation.

Kumusta? - "Hello" (all-purpose)

Pronounced koo-MOOS-tah. Literally "how are you," but widely used simply as a greeting when meeting someone. Among close friends, it is often shortened to Musta?

Magandang umaga po - "Good morning"

Pronounced ma-gan-DAHNG oo-MAH-gah po. A morning greeting. The word po at the end shows respect toward an elder or someone you have just met; among friends, it is dropped, leaving just Magandang umaga.

Magandang hapon po - "Good afternoon"

Pronounced ma-gan-DAHNG HAH-pon po. Used from midday into early evening.

Magandang gabi po - "Good evening"

Pronounced ma-gan-DAHNG GAH-bee po. Used when meeting or parting in the evening.

Kumusta ka? - "How are you?"

Pronounced koo-MOOS-tah kah. Used to ask how someone is doing; a more respectful version is Kumusta po kayo?

Mabuti naman po - "I'm doing well" (polite)

Pronounced ma-BOO-tee NAH-man po. A polite, respectful reply when someone asks how you are.

Ang pangalan ko po ay ~ - "My name is ~"

Pronounced ang pang-ah-LAHN koh po eye. Used when introducing yourself politely; fill in your own name where the blank goes.

Ikinagagalak kong makilala ka - "Nice to meet you"

Pronounced ee-kee-nah-gah-gah-LAHK kong mah-kee-LAH-lah kah. A somewhat formal phrase said to someone you are meeting for the first time.

Salamat po - "Thank you"

Pronounced sah-LAH-mat po. The basic way to say thanks; among friends, po is dropped, leaving just Salamat.

Walang anuman po - "You're welcome"

Pronounced WAH-lang ah-NOO-man po. A common, polite reply to being thanked.

Paumanhin po - "I'm sorry" (formal)

Pronounced pah-oo-mahn-HEEN po. Used for a polite apology; for a lighter, more casual "my bad," people often say Pasensya na.

Oo / Hindi - "Yes" / "No"

Pronounced OH-oh / hin-DEE. The two most basic answer words.

Paalam - "Goodbye"

Pronounced pah-AH-lam. Used when parting ways.

Ingat - "Take care"

Pronounced EE-ngat. A warm parting phrase used instead of, or alongside, Paalam, and extremely common in everyday conversation.

Filipino has a distinctive way of showing respect: po and opo

One of the most distinctive features of Filipino, a national language built on a Tagalog base, is the word po, added at the end of a sentence. Adding po when speaking to an elder or someone you have just met signals respect, and "yes" also shifts from Oo to Opo in polite speech. Among friends and peers, po is commonly dropped without seeming rude.

Kumusta comes from Spanish

The Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule for roughly 300 years, and traces of that history remain throughout the Filipino language. The very common greeting Kumusta, for example, comes from the Spanish phrase "¿Cómo está?" meaning "how are you?"

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Filipino and Tagalog the same language?

Filipino, the modern national language, is built on a Tagalog foundation with vocabulary absorbed from other regional languages. In everyday use, people often use the two names fairly interchangeably.

When should I add po, and when can I skip it?

Adding po is expected when speaking with elders, strangers, or in formal situations, as a mark of basic respect. Among close friends and people your own age, it is commonly dropped without being considered impolite.