Tagalog 101

Translate the below statement in English:

“Ako si”

• “I am”

• “This is”

• “My name is”

Answer explanation

"Ako" is a pronoun referring to your own self.

Example: Me, I, I am, Myself

Example in sentence:

I will do it. (AKO ang gagawa niyan)

It will be written by ME (AKO nag magsusulat niyan)

Eli, Janna including MYSELF, will be attending the party (Si Eli, Janna at AKO, ay dadalo sa party)

What do these words mean?

“po” and “opo”

• “Yes” and “No”

• “Please” and “Kindly”

• “Ma’am” and “Sir”

Answer explanation

The tagalog or filipino language tends to display politeness in its form, thus the use of "po" and "opo". These two words doesn't have a direct translation as these are intended to pay respect. For instance, when speaking to someone older, or to a person you just met to establish connection by sounding polite. Usually taught to kids to teach them about good manners early on.

Excuse me / May I pass

(Makikiraan PO)

Can I have a glass of water, please?

(Pwede PO bang makiinom ng tubig?)

Yes, ma'am

(Opo)

Yes, I was the one who decorated it

(OPO, ako po ang nagdecorate ng mga iyan)

What do you think the below statement mean in English?

Grabe! Napakainit talaga dito sa Pilipinas!

• Whoa! It is extremely hot here in the Philippines!

• Grrr! I cannot stand the rain here in the Philippines!

• Ugh! The weather is too much here in the Philippines!

Answer explanation

"Grabe" and "Napaka"

these two terms are meant too express intensity of whatever it is you wanted to describe. It can also translate to exageration.

Few translations of the above phrases are: Wow! That was extreme! It was crazy! Wild! Whoa!

"Napaka" or also used as "Pinaka" can also be interpreted as the superlative degree of the adjective. Example pretty = prettiest. In Tagalog, maganda = napakaganda or maganda = Pinakamaganda.

Christopher is the kindest!

Si Christopher ay napakabait!

Si Christopher ang Pinakamabait!

What does the below statement mean in English?

"Makisuyo po"

• Can I ask a favor

• May I, please

• Can you kindly...

Answer explanation

Makisuyo, Makikisuyo or Pasuyo po, is a phrase filipinos use, to politely ask for someone to do things on their behalf. For example, when riding a jeepney, you wanted to pay your fare and you are seated far from the driver, you will say - Can you kindly pass my 20 pesos. In Tagalog, Pasuyo po paabot ng bente. Makikisuyo po paabot ng bente.

Kindly, open the door for the visitors.

Pasuyo akong buksan ng pinto ang mga bisita

What term would you use when you want to call for HELP when needed?

• Tulong!

• Talong!

Answer explanation

Help or TULONG in Tagalog. This word is what you will utter when in need of assistance or help.

Hi can you assist me in finishing my report?

(Hi, pwede ba akong magpaTULONG sa aking report?)

Please help me! / I need help! / Help!

Tulungan niyo po ako!

Tulong!

What does the below statement mean?

"Nasaan ang daan papuntang..."

• Were am I?

• Where is the way going to?

• What is this place?

• Where is this place?

Answer explanation

Nasaan or Saan, is the tagalog phrase use when asking for a direction (place, address, destination) or location (placement of objects)

Where is the fastest way to get to the office

(Saan ang pinakamabliis na daan papuntang opisina?)

Where is the bus station located?

(Nasaan banda ang bust station?)

Where did you keep my bag?

(Saan mo nilagay ang aking bag?)

Where is my key?

(Nasaan ang susi ko?)

Anne is running late and is rushing to get to the gate when she accidentally bumped into an old lady.

Which of the below statement is appropriate for Anna to say?

• Pasensya po

• Tabi!

• Ano ba yan?!

• Salamat po!

Answer explanation

"Pasensya po" or in english, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."

This statement is often used when we accidentally did or hit something unintentionally.

Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you.

Pasensya na po nabunggo ko kayo.

Most of the time, the phrase is ended with 'I didn't mean to" to further express that it was unintentional.

Ex: Pasensya po, di ko po sinasadya

What do you think the below statement means?

"Uy kano! Jackpot!"

• Oh, he's handsome! Jackpot!

• Wow, he is tall! Jackpot!

• Oh, foreigner! Jackpot!

• Oh, he won! Jackpot!

Answer explanation

DISCLAIMER: Not all Filipinos think this way or would say this phrase.

The statement "Uy, kano! Jackpot!" connotes a negative and unpleasant meaning.

For example, a taxi driver has seen a foreigner hailing a cab from afar, the taxi driver immediately thought, Uy, kano! Jackpot!

Having the thought in mind, the taxi driver will now charge the foreigner twice the original amount of the taxi cab fare.

The statement gives off a thinking that foreigners are wealthy individuals. Dollar.

Scott while walking in the bay area of MOA, has been approached by a lady who complimented her and then asked - "Saan ka nakatira?"

If Scott will answer the question, what do you think will he provide as a response?

• Home Address

• Work Address

• Where he is bound to
  (Ex. to the mall)

Answer explanation

"Saan ka nakatira" or "Taga saan ka" are questions used to know where one lives.

In English, they translate as:

Where do you live?

Where do you stay?

Where is your address?

What do you think is the tagalog translation of: "Do you understand"?

• nakakaintindi ka ba?

• nakakapagsalita ka ba?

Answer explanation

Do you understand?

Foreigners will often be asked this question when they are new to a location or a place and when in the presence of locals.

When this question is posed, this means they wanted to gauge if they will be having an easier time to talk to you without having to think of using straight english and worrying of translating it form the native language.

In tagalog, people will ask you in a variety of ways which means the same:

Nakakaintind ka ba ng tagalog

Naiiintindihan mo?

Marunong ka umintindi ng tagalog?