Magaling - well
Galing - skillful (stress is on the second syllable: LING)

Ang galing mo! - You’re skillful.
Gleng-gleng.

GA-ling - came from (stress is on the first syllable: GA)
Galing sa bahay. - Came from the house.
Bahay - house

Kamusta ka? - How are you?

Galing ako sa ospital. - I came from the hospital.
Bakit? - Why?

Galing ako sa sakit. - I’ve just recovered from an illness.
Magaling ka na ba? - Are you well?

Hindi pa. - Not yet.
O, pagaling ka. - O, get well.

Magaling-galing. - I’m feeling a bit better.
O, pagaling ka pa. - Get better/healthier.

Magaling na! - I’m fully recovered.
Eh di, magaling! - Well in that case, that’s great!

Download Episode 41 - Well, Well, Well… (8:20)
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Natutuwa ako - I am happy
na makita - to see
kayong lahat - all of you
muli. - again.

ako na makita is shortened to
akong makita

Natutuwa akong makita kayong lahat muli. - I am happy to see all of you again.

Informal / Familiar

long time no see, ah.

Na-miss ko kayong lahat. - I missed all of you.
Na-miss ko kayo. - I missed you (plural).
Na-miss kita. - I missed you (singular).

Nami-miss ko kayong lahat. - I miss all of you.
Nami-miss ko kayo. - I miss you (plural).
Nami-miss kita. - I miss you.

Mami-miss ko kayong lahat. - I will miss all of you.
Mami-miss ko kayo. - I will miss you (plural).
Mami-miss kita. - I will miss you.

Download Episode 40 - Long Time, No See (6:33)
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Tagalog Words and Phrases

Biyahe - travel
Bagahe / Maleta - luggage (singular)

Mga bagahe / Mga maleta - luggage (plural)

Nawawalang maleta - lost luggage
Nawawala ang maleta. - The luggage is missing.
Nawawala ang maleta ko. - My luggage is missing.

Tulungan ninyo po ako. - Please help me. (respectful)

magaan - lightweight
mabigat - heavy

magaan ang maleta - the luggage is light or lightweight.
mabigat ang maleta - the luggage is heavy.

i-check in mo iyan - check that in
i-hand carry mo yan - hand carry that
i-hand carry mo na lang yan - just hand carry that

Download Episode 39 - Luggage (4:53)
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(more…)

Inaantok ako. - I feel sleepy.
Hikab - yawn
Hikab ako nang hikab. - I keep yawning.

Nakakabato. - (Something is) boring.

Napaidlip ako. - I dozed off.
Umidlip ka. - Take a nap.
Umidlip ka muna. - Take a nap first.
Kahit sandali. - Even for just a moment.

Hindi ako makatulog. - I can’t sleep.
Di ako makatulog. - I can’t sleep. (shortcut)

Download Episode 38 - Sleepy, Naps, Insomnia
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Nahihilo ako. - I feel dizzy.
Ang init kasi. - Because it’s so hot.

Nagugutom ako. - I feel hungry.
Nauuhaw ako. - I feel thirsty.

Wala (po / ho) ba kayong… - Don’t you have any… (po / ho is the respectful form)
Meron (po / ho) ba kayong… - Do you have any…

… kendi diyan? - … candy there?
… makakain diyan? - … thing to eat there?
… maiinom diyan? - … thing to drink there?

Maraming salamat (po). - Thank you very much. (respectful form; for elders)

Download Episode 37 - Dizzy Candy
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Kapos - not enough
Kapos sa oras - not enough time
Kinapos sa oras - ran out of time
Kinapos kami sa oras - we ran out of time

Kulang - not enough
Kulang sa oras - not enough time

Download Episode 36 - Running Out Of Time
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bahay - house
kubo - hut
kahit - even (if)
munti - tiny
halaman - plants
doon - there
sari-sari - varied
paligid - surroundings
puno - full (in this particular context)

From a Yehey Message Board:

singkamas - native turnip
talong - eggplant
sigarilyas - winged seguidillas beans
mani - peanut
sitaw - string beans
bataw - hyacinth bean
patani [photo] - lima beans, kidney beans
kondol - wax gourd
patola - sponge gourd
upo - white squash
kalabasa - pumpkin, squash
labanos - radish
mustasa - mustard
sibuyas - onions
kamatis - tomatoes
bawang - garlic
luya - ginger
linga - sesame seeds

Bahay Kubo
G       D      C     G
Bahay kubo, kahit munti
G             D            G
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
G               D        C           G
Singkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
C         D        G
Sitaw, bataw, patani.

G           D     C         G
Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa
G                D                  G
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
G             D   C           G
Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
C             D                G
Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga.

Download Episode 35 - Bahay Kubo (Vegetable Song)
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Kailangan kong mag-dieta / mag-jeta - I need to diet.

Masikip na ang damit ko. - My clothes now feel tight.
masikip - tight
damit - clothes

Kakain na lang ako… - I’ll just eat…
…ng Magic Flakes. - some Magic Flakes (crackers).

Anlaki na ng braso ko. - My arms are big.
Anliit na ng braso ko. - My arms have become slimmer.

Kumain tayo. - Let’s eat.

Pampabata - Something that makes you younger or more youthful.
Pampataba - Something that makes you gain weight.

Iwas muna ako sa chicharon. - I’ll avoid pork rinds for now.

Download Episode 34 - Weight Loss
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Maligayang kaarawan - Happy Birthday (formal)
Maligayang bati - Happy Greetings
Hapi bertdey - Happy Birthday (colloquial Tagalog)

Sa iyo / Sa ‘yo - From you, to you, assigned to you
ang inumin - the drinks
ang pulutan - the appetizers or food snacks that go with the drinks

Sana ay / Sana’y - it is hoped that… OR we hope that…
Mabusog mo kami - You make us feel full (of food / drink)
mo - you
kami - us
mabusog - to make full or sated

And here’s the modern Philippine Birthday song:

Hapi, hapi, hapi bertdey
Sa ‘yo ang inumin
Sa ‘yo ang pulutan
Hapi, hapi, hapi bertdey
Sana’y mabusog mo kami!

Download Episode 33 - Happy Birthday
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Saan - where
Saan po - where (respectful form)
ang (daan) papuntang - the way to

Paano - how
pumunta sa - to go to

Mount Sea Resort - (the name of the place)
Tanza, Cavite - (the name of the place)

Deretso - straight ahead
Kaliwa - left
Kumaliwa - make a left

Kanan - right
Kumanan - make a right

Kanto - corner

Lampas - passed / overshot
Lumampas na kayo - You’ve gone past your destination.

Pagkalampas ninyo (ng) - when you go past (the)

Tulay - bridge
Petron/Shell/Caltex - names of gas stations
Unang kanto - first corner
Pangalawang kanto - second corner
Pangatlong kanto - third corner

Download Episode 32 - Lost
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house - bahay (two people, arms extended upwards diagonally, representing a roof)
pig - baboy (the person in between the two whose arms form the roof)
storm or typhoon - bagyo

Kaibigan - friend
Kaibigan mo - your friend

Malalaman mo - you will know
kung sino ang kaibigan mo - who is your friend

Siya - him/her
Nilaglag - dropped
Nilaglag siya - abandoned him/her (literally, dropped him/her)

Download Episode 31 - House, Pig, Storm (A Game)
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1 - isa
2 - dalawa
3 - tatlo
4 - apat
5 - lima
6 - anim
7 - pito
8 - walo
9 - siyam
10 - sampu

1, 2, 3 - isa, dalawa, tatlo
Your bald dad - ang tatay (dad) mong kalbo (bald)

Download Episode 30 - Counting 1 to 10
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Red - pula
Orange - kahel
Yellow - dilaw
Green - luntian
Blue - bughaw
Indigo - indigo
Violet - lila

Black - itim
Brown - kape
Gray - abo
White - puti

Superstitious belief: why you must not point at a rainbow.

Download Episode 29 - Color My World

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Ang lakas ng ulan - It’s raining hard.
Lakas - strong
ulan - rain

Pwedeng maki-sukob? - May I share your umbrella?
Halika - Come here
Sukob na. - Share my umbrella.

Sukob - Superstition. Siblings should not get married in the same year. Or, no child should get married in the same year as the parent’s death.

Download Episode 28 - Umbrella Sanctuary

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Anong oras na? - What time is it?
Ano(ng) - what
oras - time
na - now

Menos diez para las siete
Menos dyis para las siete - 10 minutes before 7:00

Ang oras na ito ay hatid sa inyo ng C2 Green Tea -
The time was brought to you by C2 Green Tea.
C2 Green Tea adds up to a most refreshing, recharging experience.

Sampung minuto bago sumapit ang ika-pito ng umaga - 10 minutes before 7am
Sampu(ng) - 10
minuto - minutes
bago - before
sumapit - arrives
ang ika-pito - the seventh (hour)
ng umaga - of the morning

Menos balat, para buto - Minus the skin, so that you’ll see the bone

Download Episode 27 - What Time Is It

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Lumapag na tayo - We (tayo) have landed (lumapag)
sa paliparan - at (sa) the airport (paliparan)
ng Ninoy Aquino International Airport - of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Pasay City Ordinance - “Welcome to Pasay City!” instead of “Welcome to Manila!”

Download Episode 26 - Plane Landing

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Filipinos love to eat. Whether it’s in a fine dining restaurant, a fastfood joint, a bistro, or even a streetside carinderia, you’ll find Pinoys talking, drinking, and eating to our hearts’ content. Learn some Tagalog phrases to say in between mouthfuls.

Tagalog Words / Phrases

ristawran, ristoran - restaurant
panciteria - Chinese restaurant

Waiter, pahingi po ng menu. - Waiter, the menu, please. (polite form)
Waiter, ang menu nga. - Waiter, the menu.

Anong masarap dito? - What is delicious here?
Anong ispeysyal nyo? - What’s your specialty?

Isang (order ng)… - One order of…
Dalawang (order ng)… - Two orders of…
Tatlong (order ng)… - Three orders of…
Apat na (order ng)… - Four orders of…
Apat na kape - Four (cups of ) coffee…

Gulay - vegetables
Pakbet - Combination of squash, string beans, okra
Ampalaya - bitter gourd
Ampalaya con carne - bitter gourd with beef

Manok - chicken
Tinolang manok - boiled chicken in chicken stock soup with green papaya
Piniritong manok - fried chicken

Adobo - meat boiled in vinegar and soy sauce
Adobong manok/baboy - Chicken/pork cooked adobo style

Nilagang baka/baboy - boiled beef/pork
Sinigang na baka/hipon/baboy - boiled beef/shrimp/pork in sour broth

Lumpia - egg roll
Lumpiang ubod - egg roll with mince banana heart

Wala bang panghimagas? - Any dessert?
Anong matamis? - Anything sweet?
Ubeng halaya - sweetened purple yam
Halo-halo - Crushed ice with sweetened fruit chunks, red beans, coconut strips

Meron bang mangga? - Do you have mangoes?
Matamis ba? - Are they sweet?

Waiter, ang chit nga… - Waiter, the bill please…

Download Episode 25 - Oh Waiter!
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Holy Week is an important part of Philippine culture. It’s a time to pause and reflect on the state of your spiritual development, spend time with your family (particularly with your grandparents), deepen your relationship with God, or quickly recharge your office-fried brain with a quick three-day soak in the beach.

Tagalog Words / Phrases

Mahal na araw - Holy Week (literally: days of love)

Domingo de Ramos / Linggo ng Palaspas - Palm Sunday
Lunes Santo - Holy Monday
Martes Santo - Holy Tuesday
Miyerkoles Santo - Holy Wednesday
Huwebes Santo - Maundy Thursday
Biyernes Santo - Good Friday
Sabado de Gloria - Black Saturday

Don’t do these on Good Friday:
Huwag kang maligo. - Don’t take a bath.
Huwag kang lalabas. - Don’t go out.
Huwag kang gagawa ng mabigat. - Don’t work (or engage in heavy labor).
Bawal kumain ng karne. - Eating meat is prohibited.

Biyernes Santong Biyernes Santo, eh… - It’s Good Friday, fer cryin’ out loud…

Pasko ng Pagkabuhay - Easter Sunday
Linggo ng muling pagkabuhay - Easter Sunday
Pasko - Christmas
Linggo - Sunday
pagkabuhay - life

Pasyon - Passion (of the life of Christ)
Pabasa - reading /chanting
Bisita Iglesia - visit churches
Senaculo - dramatization / play / re-enactment of the Passion of Christ

Deboto - flagellants
kusang palo - initiative
kusa - self
palo - spank

Hudas - Judas
Hudas ka! - Betrayer! (Or: You are like Judas)
Nanghudas - betrayed
Ipinagkanulo - betrayed / handed over to one’s enemies (what Judas did to Christ)

God knows Hudas not pay. - God knows who does not pay.
(Sign found in some jeepneys)

Download Episode 24 - Holy Week
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In the Philippines, weddings are rarely just about two people in love. They’re usually about family. Big families. And their neighbors. And officemates. And yes, even the corner sari-sari store owner. For Filipinos, it’s not a simple “welcome to my family”… it’s more of a “welcome to my world.”

(more…)

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a barangay here in the Philippines to raise a child, even if the baby is still in the womb. There’s this familiar sense of community, as if one’s family went beyond extended relations and into neighbors, whether they’re next door, in the hallway, or in the adjacent cubicle.

Tagalog Words / Phrases

Hi, buntis! - Hello! (said to someone who’s pregnant)

Siguro, babae yan. - I think your baby is a girl.
Maganda ka kasi. - Because you’re pretty (maganda).
Maaliwalas ang mukha mo. - Your face (mukha) looks content (or at peace).
Mabilog ang tiyan mo. - Your stomach (tiyan) is round (mabilog).

NOTE: it’s ma-bi-log (please don’t mix your syllables!)

Siguro, lalaki yan. - I think your baby is a boy.
At bakit? - And why? (asked by the pregnant woman)
Ah, uh… - [It’s hard to tell the truth, so just wait for the pregnant woman to say:]
Bakit? Kasi malaki ang ilong ko? - Why? Because my nose (ilong) is big (malaki)?
Maitim ang leeg ko? - My neck (leeg) is dark (maitim)?
Matulis ang tiyan ko? - My stomach is pointed/sharp (matulis)?

Kelan ang labas? - When are you due (to deliver)?
Anong ipapangalan mo? - What name will you give your baby?

Anong gusto mo, babae o lalaki? - What do you want, a girl or a boy?

Kahit ano. - Any will do.
Basta malusog. - As long as the baby’s healthy.

*** After the baby is born ***

Kamusta ka na, mommy? - Mommy, how are you?
Normal ba o CS? - Did you deliver normally or via C-Section?

Ang ganda ng baby mo! - Your baby is beautiful!
Ang gwapo ng bata! - The child is handsome!

Kanino nagmana? - Whom did the child take after?

Siyempre, sa tatay. - Of course, the child took after the father.
Siyempre, sa nanay. - Of course, the child took after the mother.

Ang lago ng buhok. - The child has a full head of hair.
Ang taba! - How fat!
Tabachichay! - Chubby!

Pwera usog. - Loose transation: No misfortune. Or knock on wood. (This is to counter potential hexes unwittingly placed by visitors on a child.)

Hoy, nag-alcohol na ba kayo? Hey, have you cleaned yourselves with alcohol?

Kelan ang binyag? - When’s the christening?
Ninong ako, ha? - Get me as godfather, ok?
Ninang ako, ha? - Get me as godmother, ok?
Ilista mo ako, ha? - List me as godparent, ok? (for proxy godparents who are far away)

Download Episode 22 - Baby Village
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Filipino parents don’t usually praise children. Instead, we easily jump at the chance to tell someone off, particularly when they mess up. If you want to scold a Filipino, try these Tagalog parental phrases, but deliver them with a smile. This will help get your point across, while easing the tension at the same time. Your smile helps tone down the criticism, yet the familiar words may evoke a nostalgic sense of obedience.

Tagalog Words / Phrases

Hala ka…- Watch out…
Sige ka… - Keep doing what you’re doing and…
Makikita mo… - You’ll see…
Lagot ka… - You’re dead meat…

Pag di mo nakita yan - If you don’t find that lost item
Makikita mo - You’re going to get it (literally: you’re going to see/find it)

Kung ahas yan… - If that were a snake…
Natuka ka na. - You would’ve been bitten.

Kita mo? - See what I mean? (literally: you see)
Sinasabi ko na nga ba, eh. - I knew it! (literally: that’s what I’ve been saying)

Papunta ka pa lang - You’re just on your way there
Pabalik na ako - I’m on my way back
Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako. - Been there, done that.

Marami ka pang kakaining kanin - You still have a lot of rice to eat.

Aber? - Well? (What have you to say to that?)

Download Episode 21 - Parental Guidance
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Filipinos get from place to place by riding pedicabs, tricycles, taxis, FX vans, buses, or even the Metro Rail Transport (MRT).

Tagalog Words / Phrases

Magkano hanggang… - How much from here to… (destination)
Bayad po. - Here’s my payment.
Para. - Stop.
Diyan lang sa tabi. - Please stop on the side. (Please pull over.)
Sa tabi lang po. - Please stop at the curb. [respectful form]
Sandali lang. - Just a moment, please.
Makikiraan po. - Excuse me. Please let me pass.

Kayo na ang bahala. - It’s up to you (how much you want to pay me).
Pwede na ba ang bente-kwatro? - Is P24.00 enough?

Lakad na! - Let’s go.
Mag-FX tayo. - Let’s ride an FX van.
Saan tayo bababa? - Where will we disembark?
Ilang sakay? - How many rides will we take?

Download Episode 20 - Getting Around
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Filipinos will usually notice something new about you if they haven’t seen you for quite some time. It can be your new hair cut, your added weight, your shed pounds, or how great you look.

Tagalog Words / Phrases

Uy, long time no see. - Hey, long time no see. (Haven’t seen you for quite some time.)

Wow, bagong gupit, ah. - Wow, you have a new haircut.
Okay, ah. - Looks fine.
Ayos, ah! - Looks great!
Buhay pa ba ang barbero? - Is your barber still alive?

Oist, ang taba mo na, ah! - Hey/Pssst, you’ve gained weight!
Naku, tumaba ka! - Oh no, you’ve grown fat!

Uuuuy, ang payat mo na, ah! - Heeey, you’re so slim!
Ay, ang payat mo na… - Oh no, you’ve lost so much weight…

Lalo kang bumata… - You look younger…
Anong sikreto mo? - What’s your secret?

Wow, blooming tayo ngayon, ah. - My, aren’t we blooming today…
Mukhang inspired ka. - You look inspired. (read: in love)

Download Episode 19 - The Way You Look
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We Filipinos are sometimes at our most vulnerable during funerals. That’s why it means a lot to us if you take the time to visit during the wake, and moreso if you are present during the interment or burial of our departed relatives.

Tagalog Words / Phrases

Lamay - Funeral wake.
Nakikiramay po kami. - We are grieving with you.
Ano po ang nangyari? - What happened?
Sige ho… Tutuloy na po kami. - Okay… We have to go now.
Condolence uli, po… - Again, our condolences…
O siya, sige… - Oh, all right…

Download Episode 18 - Funeral
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The Fugitive Mutineer Faeldon Was Arrested last Friday, after more than a month in hiding. He was with his girlfriend who was surveilled by authorities.

Yes, love can be costly at times, but that doesn’t stop people from getting smitten. If you’re willing to let yourself go a bit crazy because of love, try surprising your Filipino friends with these.

Tagalog Words / Phrases

Mahal kita. - I love you.
Lagi kitang hinahanap. - I keep looking for you.
Lagi kitang iniisip. - I always think of you.
Ikaw ang laman ng puso ko. - You are in my heart.
Ang sarap mong kausap. - It’s so nice to converse with you.
Ang sarap mong kasama. - It’s so nice to be with you.
Kelan kita makikita muli? - When will I see you again?

Popular Filipino Love Song — Dahil Sa Iyo (by Mike Velarde)

Dahil sa ‘yo (Because of you)
Nais kong mabuhay (I want to live)
Dahil sa ‘yo (Because of you)
Hanggang mamatay (for the rest of my life)

Dapat mong tantuin (You should know)
Wala nang ibang giliw (There’s no other love)
Puso ko’y tanungin (Ask my heart)
Ikaw at ikaw rin (There’s you and only you)

Dahil sa ‘yo (Because of you)
Ako’y lumigaya (I’ve become happy)
Pagmamahal (Love…)
Ay alayan ka (Is what I offer to you)
Kung tunay man ako (If it’s true that I…)
Ay alipinin mo (…will be enslaved by you)
Ang lahat sa buhay ko’y (Everything in my life’s)
Dahil sa ‘yo (Because of you)

Download Episode 17 - Sing of Love
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