Learn Tagalog Basics From Filipino Language Experts
Category : Phrases , Phrases & Vocabulary
The words used for asking for forgiveness can vary depending on the situation. Here are several ways to say sorry and ask for forgiveness.
Patawad
Sorry/forgiveness
Sori
Sorry (colloquial)
Kasalanan ko yan.
That’s my fault.
Patawarin mo ako
Forgive me
Category : Phrases , Phrases & Vocabulary
Surprise your Filipino friends by giving them a compliment in Tagalog! To emphasize your compliment, simply add ‘talaga’ to the end of each sentence below. ‘talaga’ means ‘really’.
| Mabait ka. | Mabait ka talaga. |
| You are kind. | You are really kind. |
Ang bait mo. / Mabait ka.
You are kind.
Category : Phrases , Phrases & Vocabulary
Impress your special someone with romantic phrases that convey your love and passionate feelings.
Iniibig kita.
I love you. (serious)
Gusto kita.
I like you.
Gusto kitang makita.
I want to see you.
Gusto kitang pakasalan.
I want to marry you.
Category : Phrases & Vocabulary , Slang
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.
Example:
taratitat
very talkative
Example:
Tarititat siya talaga.
He is really talkative.
chibog
mealtime
Example:
Chibog na tayo!
Come on, let’s eat!
Example:
Category : Phrases , Phrases & Vocabulary
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
Mahangin ngayon.
It is windy today.
Category : Phrases , Phrases & Vocabulary
Sino ka?
Who are you?
Sino ang iyong kaibigan sa trabaho?
Who is your friend at work?
Alternatively, you can ask for someone’s name.
Ano ang pangalan niya?
What is his/her name?
Category : Phrases , Phrases & Vocabulary
Kailan ang kasal?
When is the wedding?
Kailan mo gustong umalis?
When do you want to leave?
Kailan ang iyong kaarawan?
When is your birthday?
Category : Phrases & Vocabulary , Words
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.
kapatid
sibling
Category : Phrases & Vocabulary , Words
aparador
cabinet
Category : Phrases & Vocabulary
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.
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!
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 |
