Top 10 Basic Tagalog Phrases to Know

Make an effort to learn at least a few basic phrases in Tagalog!

Magandang araw! = Beautiful day!
This is how Filipinos would say hello. It’s the equivalent of “Good morning!” though you can use it in the early afternoon too.

Mahal kita. = I love you.
This is the most common way of saying ‘I Love You.’ This phrase can be used with anyone, from your wife to your grandfather.

Sarap nito. = This is delicious. / This feels good.
The Tagalog word for ‘delicious‘ is also used for something that feels good.

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Telling Time in Tagalog

Filipinos most commonly use Spanish numbers to tell time.

Anong oras na?
What time is it?

Ala-una.
One o’clock.

Alas-singko.
Five o’clock.

Alas-singko ng umaga.
Five o’clock in the morning.

Alas-singko ng hapon.
Five o’clock in the afternoon.

Alas-dyes ng gabi.
Ten o’clock at night.

1:00 ala-una – one o’clock

2:00 alas-dos – two o’clock

3:00 alas-tres – three o’clock

4:00 alas-kwatro – four o’clock
5:00 alas-singko – five o’clock
6:00 alas-sais – six o’clock
7:00 alas-siyete – seven o’clock
8:00 alas-otso – eight o’clock
9:00 alas-nwebe – nine o’clock
10:00 alas-dyes – ten o’clock
11:00 alas-onse – eleven o’clock
12:00 alas-dose – twelve o’clock 

ala una y medya
half past one

alas dose kwarenta y singko
12:45

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