16 Easy Tagalog Expressions: 2021 Ultimate Guide

One of the best ways to establishing an authentic connection is by learning the fun everyday language used by the locals. If you are planning to visit the Philippines, then adding some Tagalog expressions and slang words in your discourse can significantly help in understanding the traditions and history of the country and its people. In today’s article, we will walk you through the basic Filipino utterances and provide you with the direct translations and the meaning shared by the locals. If that fits the bill, off we go!

If you will ask people from other nationalities what they know about the Philippines, most of them will mention Manny Pacquiao or the legacy of Imelda Marcos. What Westerners do not know is that its beautiful collection of islands hold incredible history and rare species making it worthy of being named after King Philip II of Spain.

The Philippines is an example of a tropical territory with rich natural tourist attractions making it one of the top countries to visit if you want the best of both worlds- from stretches of divine-looking beaches and diving spots, jaw-dropping heritage towns, and monuments, to even the iconic cultural symbols that still exists today, the country just has so much more to offer to the world.

Now, if you are planning to visit the country or have met a colleague/friend from there, then perhaps you are scrambling to look for updated resources with the hopes of learning the Tagalog language. You see, the country is actually a melting pot of different languages but among all of those, Tagalog and English are considered the official language. With this being said, having a few of the commonly used Tagalog words, phrases, and expressions can go a long way during conversations.

If you are looking to express yourself better or want to answer with style in an informal setting, you can simply use the fun slang words we have in today’s article. Please note that we did not include offensive or profane words in this post in order to ensure that there will be no misinterpretation on both sides. Out list here was cross-checked with native speakers of the Tagalog language so you can simply sit back, read, and use these without any worry.

The Filipino Slang Words And Expressions

Whenever you are thinking about learning a language, you must remember that it is not enough that you understand and use words/phrases based on their textbook or dictionary definition. A huge part of learning is also based on trying to become fluent by speaking like a local. And when say “local” we do not mean that you will have to mimic their pronunciations, instead, you have to remember their slang language or expression.

For the case of the Philippines, the languages seem to change almost in an instant and word coinage is one of the reasons behind that. With this being said, learning slang allows one to remain up-to-date with the complex variations within the language and support anyone in holding fluent conversations (especially with the younger Filipino people).

To create a sense of belongingness in the Filipino community, one must learn the real meaning behind local words, phrases, and expressions like the following example below:

• Malapit na ako (directly translates to “I am almost there” but is commonly used by Filipinos to buy time since they are definitely not near the location)
• Try ko (used to describe the fact that you will try to make it but will most likely not be able to do so. If someone says this to you, then do not let your hopes up.)
• Nakakainis ka (while the direct translation in English for this is “I hate you” or the basic act of sulking, this Tagalog slang usually means that you do not actually hate the person but it is the other way around. Crazy, right?)
• High blood (for Filipinos, this word refers not only to the illness but is also equivalent to the meaning of feeling agitated. You can hear this almost every day when parents express anger using the sentence “na-ha-high blood ako sa ginagawa mo” (I am getting angry with what you are doing).

Basic Tagalog Expressions For 2021

If you have Filipino friends online we bet that you are commonly facing specific words like charot, petmalu, lodi, and chika. Ready to speak of fun Filipino expressions today? Check out our exclusive list below and see their direct translation in English and the meaning of each.

Which among these are your favorites? While you can use all of these when speaking with other close friends and colleagues, please note that these are informal and will not be taken well if used in the business setting.

As I conclude this article, I hope I was able to enlighten you with the most useful English translation of the Filipino slang words used for everyday conversations. If you liked this post, please share it on social media so that you can help us reach more language enthusiasts from across the world who might be interested in learning Tagalog further.

For other Tagalog-related lessons, I highly suggest that you check out our previous posts like how you can learn Tagalog quickly, the common Tagalog names of vegetables, and how to describe food flavors in Tagalog.

Get To Know More Filipino Slang Using The Ling App!

Want to say something better using the most native Tagalog slang? Learn more about the country through its words using a free media application available for download into any of your mobile devices. Discover a vast collection of Tagalog courses available at the Ling App, my most recommended application for getting the most updated meaning based on the country’s context.

You can also check out Simply Learn, a phrasebook made by the same company to give a straightforward compilation of phrases. Make sure that you are updated with our latest posts by checking out our latest blog posts related to Tagalog.

So, what are waiting for? Get your learning journey started today by downloading the Ling App and Simply Learn! Who knows, you can master a new language of your choice just by using these free resources in your spare time?

Original blog post: https://ling-app.com/fil/tagalog-expressions/