Tagalog Slang For EveryDay Use

Tagalog is a language that is evolving at a rapid pace. Locals often modify words with English and Spanish influence. To better understand and converse in Tagalog, here are common Tagalog slang words for every day use in the Philippines.


Pinoy/Pinay
Filipino / Filipina

Example:


Ako ay Pinoy.
I am Filipino.

taratitat
very talkative

Example:
Tarititat siya talaga.
He is really talkative.

chibog
mealtime

Example:
Chibog na tayo!
Come on, let’s eat!


kulelat
last place or loser

Example:


Kulelat siya sa karera.
He is last in the race.


Tagalog Phrases About The Weather

Tags :

The weather is a common topic for starting up a conversation. Like in English, Tagalog also uses phrases related to weather as forms of greetings.

panahon
weather


Maganda ang panahon.
The weather is beautiful.


Magandang panahon.
Beautiful weather. (can be used as a casual greeting or to comment on the weather)


Masama ang panahon.
The weather is bad.


Mainit ang araw.
The day is hot.


Maulap ngayon.
It is cloudy today.


Maaraw ngayon.
It is sunny today.


Malamig ngayon.
It is cold today.


Mainit ngayon.
It is hot today.

Mahangin ngayon.
It is windy today.


Umuulan ngayon.
It is raining now.


Kumukulog na.
It’s thundering already.


Tagalog Phrases For Who Questions (Sino)


sino
who

Sino ka?
Who are you?


Sino kayo?
Who are you? (plural)


Sino ang doktor?
Who is the doctor?


Kaninong tubig ito?
Whose water is this?


Sino ang mula sa Maynila?
Who is from Manila?

Sino ang iyong kaibigan sa trabaho?
Who is your friend at work?

Alternatively, you can ask for someone’s name.


Ano ang pangalan mo?
What is your name?

Ano ang pangalan niya?
What is his/her name?


Ano ang pangalan ng doktor mo?
What is the name of your doctor?


Tagalog Phrases For When Questions (Kailan)


kailan
when


Kailan?
When?

Kailan ang kasal?
When is the wedding?


Kailan ka pupunta?
When are you going?


Kailan ka pupunta dito?
When are you coming here?

Kailan mo gustong umalis?
When do you want to leave?


Kailan tayo magkikita?
When are we going to meet?

Kailan ang iyong kaarawan?
When is your birthday?


Tagalog Words For People, Parents, Family, And Friends

Tags :

On your way to meet a Filipino family or perhaps you’re part of one? Here are pronouns for calling family members, parents, and friends in Tagalog.


tao
person/human


babae
girl


lalaki
boy


pamilya
family


asawa
wife/husband


anak
child


anak na babae
daughter


anak na lalaki
son


ama
father


tatay
dad


ina
mother


nanay
mom

kapatid
sibling


kuya
elder brother


ate
elder sister


lolo
grandfather


lola
grandmother


apo
grandchild


pinsan
cousin


tita
aunt


tito
uncle


pamangkin
nephew/niece


kaibigan
friend


kakilala
acquaintance


Tagalog Words For Furniture


lamesa
table


silya
chair


upuan
seat of chair

aparador
cabinet


pinto
door


unan
pillow


kama
bed


telebisyon
television


Tagalog Alphabet

Before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, Tagalog was written with an alphabet called “baybayin”. Sometime in the 17th century, Latin letters were introduced to the Filipino culture and Tagalog language. Latin characters have since replaced the old baybayin characters. To learn Tagalog as it is spoken now, you must learn the Modern Filipino Alphabet which is improved from the Abakada alphabet.

Abakada Alphabet

In the early 19th century, the abakada was compiled and developed as the official alphabet to represent the sounds in the Tagalog language. It is comprised of 20 letters.

A B K D E G H I L M N Ng O P R S T U W Y

A B K D E G H I L
A Ba Ka Da E Ga H I La

 

M N NG O P R S T U W Y
Ma Na Nga O Pa Ra Sa Ta U Wa Ya

 

The majority of words in the Tagalog language will be comprised of “Abakada” letters, so get to know them well and practice your pronunciation!


aso
a-so
dog


ibon
i-bon
bird

Modern Filipino Alphabet

The Modern Filipino Alphabet takes the 20 letters from Abakada and adds 8 new consonants for a total of 28 letters.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N Ñ Ng O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

8 ADDED CONSONANTS:  c, f, j, ñ, q, v, x, z

c f j ñ q v x z

Tagalog Words For Body Parts And Face Parts

Body


katawan
body


balat
skin

dugo
blood


buhok
hair


ulo
head

noo
forehead


leeg
neck


balikat
shoulder


kili-kili
armpit


likod
back

kamay
hand


daliri
fingers


dibdib
chest

suso
breast

tiyan
stomach

baywang
waist

hita
leg


tuhod
knee


paa
foot

Face


kilay
eyebrow


mata
eye

pilik-mata
eyelash


ilong
nose


tenga
ear


labi
lip

bibig
mouth


dila
tongue


Tagalog Words For Colors

There is a small number of colors with Tagalog translations. English and Spanish words are commonly used in Filipino culture. It is also common for people in the Philippines to use a Tagalog word for describing a range of shades for particular colors.


kulay
color

itim
black


puti
white


kulay-abo
grey (literally color-ash)

bughaw
blue

asul
blue (Spanish influenced)


pula
red

dilaw
yellow

luntian
green


berde
green (Spanish influenced)

rosas
pink


ginto
gold

pilak
silver

kahel
orange


kayumanggi
brown

lilà
purple, violet


Most Useful Tagalog Phrases


Oo
Yes


Hindi
No


Salamat.
Thank you.


Salamat po.
Thank you. (with respect)


Kamusta.
Hello.


Kamusta ka?
How are you?


Kamusta kayo?
How are you? (plural)


Mubiti ako.
I’m fine.

Ikaw?
How about you?

Tara na.
Let’s leave.


Ano ang pangalan mo?
What is your name?


Ang pangalan ko ay Allen.
My name is Allen.


Anong bago?
What’s new?


Magandang araw.
Good day.


Magandang umaga.
Good morning.


Magandang tanghali.
Good noon.

Magandang hapon.
Good afternoon.

Paalam.
Goodbye.


Hindi ko alam.
I don’t know.


Hindi ko naintindihan.
I didn’t understand.


Hindi kita narinig.
I didn’t hear you.


Naintindihan ko.
I understand.


Paumanhin.
Excuse me.

Patawad.
Sorry.

Gusto kita.
I like you.


Mahal kita.
I love you.


Seryoso ako.
I’m serious.

Lubayan mo ako.
Leave me alone.


Tulong!
Help!


Patulong po.
Please help me.

Sunog!
Fire!

Tigil!
Stop!

Tawagin mo ang pulis!
Call the police!

Ingat ka.
Take care.


Aalis na ako.
I’m leaving now.


Tagalog On The Spot

Slang Of The Day

Jowa
lover / boyfriend / girlfriend

Example:
Jowa mo ba si Juan?
Is Juan your boyfriend?