3 Easy Ways On How To Say Please In Tagalog

Ling Learn Languages
5 min readApr 23, 2021

A quick search here and there will probably make you think that the best translation for please in Tagalog is pakiusap. However, there really is no direct Filipino translation for this English word so we bet that you are now wondering how exactly do Filipinos politely express their requests, right? Well, worry no more because, in today’s post, we will walk you through some of the most specific equivalents that you can use for day-to-day conversations.

Whenever we think about the Philippines, tourists who have already visited the country will definitely tell you how warm and hospitable the people are. In fact, it was recognized to be one of the top friendliest countries in the world joining the ranks of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. If you are thinking of going into the country, it would be wise to prepare yourself with tons of questions from the locals and get ready to eat with your hands as you fill yourself with sumptuous food.

Another major characteristic inherent in all of the native locals is that they are willing to extend help no matter what the situation is. In fact, there are a number of video proof on YouTube showing emotional and shocked foreigners at how kind Filipinos are- from responding to simple requests to even allowing strangers to stay at their home for a night!

To help you get started on how you can express a request in a polite manner, be sure to take note of the details in today’s post.

3 Major Ways To Say The Word Please In Tagalog

Even if you look at a historical context, there is no one Tagalog word existing as a dictionary translation to “please.” Instead, Filipinos use alternatives depending on the situation and who they are asking. For instance, if you want to ask a stranger to pass your transportation fare while riding a local jeepney, then you can simply say “pakisuyo” or “pasuyo” which is a polite term for a favor. You can use this one in both formal and informal interactions and is safe whether you are speaking with any age group.

Here are some simple examples and explanations on how to use these:

Another major way by which you can say your request or please in the Tagalog language is by using this sentence structure: “Paki + verb.” It is basically more of a command than a favor and it leaves the other speaker with no choice but to do what is being asked. Therefore, this means that you have to be a bit careful as using this when asking something can be quite rude depending on the tone and the context.

Here are some examples along with the equivalent translation:

If you are looking to sound formal and use a term that is mainly used by the older generation, you may also use the word “pakiusap” which also refers to request in the English language. You can use this Tagalog word regardless of situations or contexts, but please do remember that this is not really used in day-to-day conversations. Below are some examples:

Informal Ways To Say The Word Please In The Tagalog Language

As we have stated on the first of this post, the language of the Philippines can be a bit challenging especially for beginners since some of the important English words may not have a direct (or even related) Tagalog version. Even if you search high and low on the dictionary or online resources, you can never find a Tagalized equivalent for please and this is the best time for you to try out Taglish (the combination of English and Tagalog in a single statement) or other informal sentences. Below are some of my best examples:

As we reach the end of this post, we hope that we were able to give you better Tagalog equivalent words, notes, and examples for the English word ‘please.’ If you enjoyed content like this, then be sure to read on our previous Tagalog blog posts and learn the answers to some of the most interesting questions about the Filipino language. From the most native expressions, emergency phrases, to even the lines you can use for introduction, we got you covered!

On The Search For Free Resources For Language Learning?

If you are really interested to challenge yourself further and add interesting vocabulary words when speaking in Tagalog, then we highly recommend that you check out the Ling App and Simply Learn by Simya Solutions. Both of these applications are established to help you improve and increase your understanding of over 60+ languages across the world. The apps also feature amazing content that is consistently being updated and expanded. This means that by learning through these, you can get to the fluency level that you want.

The Ling App offers not just simple content but it comes with a remarkable set of games that are challenging and fun enough to be part of your daily routine. It can be used every single day for just 10 minutes but you can definitely extend because it is just too fun! The same is true for Simply Lean which is a comprehensive phrasebook with categories so that you can express your questions, remarks, or ideas in the most native ways!

What are you waiting for? Start your learning journey on the right foot by downloading Ling App and Simply Learn today!

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Ling Learn Languages

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