Greetings & basics
| English | Tagalog | Cebuano |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Kumusta | Kumusta |
| Good morning | Magandang umaga | Maayong buntag |
| Good evening | Magandang gabi | Maayong gabii |
| Thank you | Salamat | Salamat |
| Thank you very much | Maraming salamat | Daghang salamat |
| You’re welcome | Walang anuman | Walay sapayan |
| Yes / No | Oo / Hindi | Oo / Dili |
| Please | Pakiusap | Palihug |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Paumanhin | Pasayloa ko |
| What’s your name? | Anong pangalan mo? | Unsa imong ngalan? |
Getting around
| English | Tagalog | Cebuano |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | Nasaan ang…? | Asa ang…? |
| How much? | Magkano? | Tagpila? |
| Stop here please | Para po | Lugar lang |
| Left / Right | Kaliwa / Kanan | Wala / Tuo |
| Straight ahead | Diretso | Diretso |
| I want to go to… | Gusto kong pumunta sa… | Gusto ko moadto sa… |
| Is it far? | Malayo ba? | Layo ba? |
Food & shopping
| English | Tagalog | Cebuano |
|---|---|---|
| Delicious! | Masarap! | Lami! |
| The bill, please | Yung bill po | Ang bill palihug |
| Water | Tubig | Tubig |
| No spicy please | Hindi maanghang | Dili halang |
| Too expensive | Masyadong mahal | Mahal kaayo |
| Can you lower the price? | Pwede bang tumawad? | Pwede ba hangyo? |
Emergencies
| English | Tagalog | Cebuano |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | Tulong! | Tabang! |
| Call a doctor | Tumawag ng doktor | Tawag og doktor |
| I’m lost | Naliligaw ako | Nawala ko |
| Police | Pulis | Pulis |
| I need help | Kailangan ko ng tulong | Nanginahanglan ko og tabang |
Tagalog is widely understood nationwide; Cebuano (Bisaya) is spoken across the Visayas & Mindanao. See also the offline survival kit and emergency contacts.
A few words go a surprisingly long way
You do not need to be fluent — far from it. English is spoken almost everywhere in the Philippines, so a single Tagalog or Cebuano phrase is never about getting by; it is about the reaction. Filipinos are famously warm, and they genuinely light up when a visitor tries the local language, even badly. A cheerful “Salamat!” at the sari-sari store, a “Magkano?” at the market, or a “Masarap!” after a meal turns a transaction into a small moment of connection. These are the phrases worth carrying in your head.
Tagalog vs Cebuano — which to use where
🇵🇭 Tagalog (Filipino)
The national lingua franca, understood across the whole country and dominant in Manila and Luzon. If you only learn one set of phrases, make it Tagalog — it is the safe default anywhere you go.
🏝️ Cebuano (Bisaya)
The everyday language of the Visayas and much of Mindanao — Cebu, Bohol, Siargao, Dumaguete and beyond. Locals there speak Tagalog too, but a few Cebuano words feel like home turf and earn extra smiles.
Rule of thumb: Tagalog works everywhere; switch to Cebuano once you are island-hopping the south.
Pronunciation basics
Both languages are refreshingly easy to say — words are pronounced largely as they are spelled. A few pointers:
- Vowels are clean and consistent. A = “ah”, E = “eh”, I = “ee”, O = “oh”, U = “oo”. They never change, so just sound them out.
- Stress matters. The same letters can mean different things depending on which syllable you stress — listen and copy locals rather than guessing.
- The “ng” sound. Filipino words often start with “ng” (as in “ngipin”). It is the soft nasal sound from the end of the English word “sing” — pulled to the front of the word.
- Add “po” to be polite. Tacking “po” onto a phrase shows respect, especially with elders. “Salamat po” sounds far warmer than “Salamat” alone.
Phrases that win locals over
If you only memorise four, make it these.
Tips for using your phrases
Filipino language FAQ
Is English spoken in the Philippines?
Yes, widely. The Philippines is one of the largest English-speaking countries in the world — English is an official language, used in schools, business, signage and most tourism. You can get by entirely in English almost everywhere, which is exactly why a few words of Tagalog or Cebuano stand out and delight people so much.
Should I learn Tagalog or Cebuano?
It depends where you are going. Tagalog (the basis of Filipino) is understood nationwide and is the safe default, especially around Manila and Luzon. If your trip centres on Cebu, Bohol, Siargao, Palawan or anywhere in the Visayas and Mindanao, a few Cebuano (Bisaya) words will land even better locally. When in doubt, Tagalog works everywhere.
Do I really need to learn the language to travel?
No — you can travel the whole country comfortably in English. Learning a handful of phrases is purely about warmth and connection, not necessity. Even a single "Salamat" (thank you) or "Magandang umaga" (good morning) signals respect and tends to open doors, soften haggling, and earn genuine smiles.
How do I say thank you in Filipino?
Salamat is thank you in both Tagalog and Cebuano. Add po for politeness — "Salamat po" — especially with elders or in formal situations. "Maraming salamat" means thank you very much. It is the single most useful word to learn before you arrive.
Pack the rest of your travel kit
An offline survival kit, emergency numbers, and the islands worth saying “Masarap!” on.