Mabuhay (“welcome”), marites (“gossiper”), jowa (“partner”) — There’s no doubt that you have heard at least one of these famous Tagalog words while surfing the net. Wanna know more? Keep on reading!
If you’re fascinated with Philippine culture or just have Filipino friends or family, it’s not impossible that you have heard some famous Tagalog words. With their legacy in the world of pageantry, music, entertainment, and even sports, we can’t avoid coming across them.
So, here’s a list of some famous words in the Tagalog language that many people across the world might know.
Learning Tagalog is more than memorizing words
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What Are Some Formal Famous Tagalog Words?
Some famous formal Tagalog words are everyday greetings and courtesies like mabuhay (“welcome”), kumusta (“how are you?”), salamat (“thank you”), and mahal kita (“I love you”). These are the ones you’re gonna hear in everyday conversation.
There are also beautiful words that are uniquely Filipino, like pahimakas (last farewell), kundiman (love song), gigil (uncontrollable urge), lambing (intense tenderness), and kaulayaw (intimate companion).
For now, we will learn some famous Tagalog words that people who are interested in Filipino culture or have a connection with a Filipino might know:
Mabuhay
Example Sentence: Mabuhay! Maligayang pagdating sa Pilipinas! (Greetings! Welcome to the Philippines!)
Going to the Philippines? Don’t be startled when someone welcomes you while saying “Mabuhay” out loud. There’s no exact translation of this word in other languages, but it is used as a greeting in the Philippines.
One of the situations in which it’s often used is when welcoming someone into the country or province. It is also used as a greeting when starting a speech or a program.
This is one of the famous Tagalog words because you’ll often hear it from planes, tour guides, and locals.
How Are You – Kumusta?
Example Sentence: Kumusta ang iyong pamilya (How’s your family?)
Wanna check someone out in the Tagalog language? Just say “Kumusta,” which means “How are you?” in English.
This is a famous Tagalog word because it is one of the conversation starters. So, if you wanna start a conversation with somebody, learn this word. Fun fact: it is derived from the Spanish word “Cómo estás”.
Good Morning – Magandang Umaga
Example Sentence: Magandang umaga sa’yo! (Good morning to you!)
This next famous Tagalog word is a way to greet ‘Good Morning’ in the Filipino/Tagalog language. This is the easiest and most common way to greet someone politely in the morning.
Remember only to use this in the morning. There are other greetings that might be useful, like the following:
- Good afternoon – Magandang hapon
- Good evening – Magandang gabi
- Goodbye – Paalam
Thank You – Salamat
Example Sentence: Salamat sa tulong mo. (Thanks for your help.)
Of course, we cannot forget to include this phrase on the list. If you want to thank someone in the Filipino language, simply say “Salamat.”
This phrase is famous because you’ll hear it a lot, starting from the plane, at the airport, in the streets, and everywhere else. It is indeed a must-learn phrase to show gratitude and politeness towards Filipino people.
I Love You – Mahal Kita
Example Sentence: Mahal kita simula pa noong una. (I love you from the very start.)
Wanna know how to tell someone that you love them? Just say “Mahal kita.” This is one of the famous Tagalog words because this is how you say “I love you” in the Tagalog language.
Well, no wonder it’s famous, considering how easily you can fall in love with a Filipino.
Beautiful – Maganda
Example Sentence: Maganda si Catriona Gray. (Catriona Gray is beautiful.)
Country, culture, and people – the Philippines is truly a beautiful country. That’s why the word maganda or beautiful is one of the most famous Tagalog words. It is used to describe something or someone that is beautiful.
Sorry – Pasensya/Paumanhin
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Example Sentence: Pasensya ka na. Hindi ko sinasadya. (Sorry. I did not mean to do it.)
Accidentally did something that might hurt or offend someone? Just say paumanhin or pasensya. In everyday conversation, Filipinos mostly use pasensya.
Paumanhin, on the other hand, is a more old-fashioned word. This is one of the famous Tagalog words because it has something to do with politeness and respect.
Delicious – Masarap
Example Sentence: Masarap ang adobo. (Adobo is delicious.)
The word masarap is a famous Tagalog word that is used to describe a food or dish that is tasty or delicious.
Filipino food is known to be good, like adobo, sinigang, lechon, lumpiang shanghai, and more. So, if you’re up for a Filipino food trip, this is a must-learn word.
Balut
Example Sentence: Kailangan mong subukang kumain ng balut. (You should try eating balut.)
Aside from vocabulary, there is also a famous Filipino word that refers to a boiled or steamed fertilized egg embryo that is eaten from the shell. Your trip to the Philippines will not be complete if you don’t try eating balut.
What Are Some Famous Tagalog Slang Words?
The most famous Tagalog slang words include Pinoy (“Filipino”), jowa (“partner”), sana all (“I hope everyone”), marites (“gossiper”), and lodi (“idol”), most of which spread rapidly through social media.
With the internet, the number of Tagalog slang words is rapidly increasing. What’s new? What’s trending? All of these affect the formation of Tagalog slang words that are now famous not just for Filipinos but also for people who have encounters with Filipinos.
So here are some of them:
Filipino – Pinoy
Example Sentence: Mahilig kumain ang mga Pinoy. (Filipinos love eating.)
The slang word Pinoy is a shortened and informal word for Pilipino (Filipino). It is usually used in informal situations like daily conversations, commercials, social media posts, and more; that’s why it’s a famous Tagalog word.
Boyfriend/Girlfriend – Jowa
Example Sentence: May jowa ka na? (Do you already have a boyfriend/girlfriend?)
The word jowa is a famous Filipino slang word that means “boyfriend/girlfriend” or “special someone”. Remember that it is only used for informal situations. You should not use it in formal situations unless it is part of the discussion or topic.
I Hope Everyone – Sana All
Example Sentence: Sana all, may jowa! (I hope everyone has a boyfriend/girlfriend!)
This is a combination of the Tagalog word sana, which means “I hope,” and the English word “all”. It’s a modern expression used if you want something another person has. This is a popular expression in everyday conversation.
For example, if your friend bought a new iPhone, you can say “Sana all, my iPhone.” (I hope everyone has an iPhone.)
Gossiper – Marites
Example Sentence: Ang daming marites sa paligid. (There are lots of people around who love to gossip.)
Another famous Tagalog slang word is Marites. This is a newly emerged Tagalog word for gossip that Filipinos use to refer to people who are nosy or love to gossip. This is a slang word, so do not just use it for people whom you have just met or are not very close with.
In popular culture in the Philippines, a “Marites” is a netizen who finds and keeps track of everything, especially weird things, usually on social media.
Idol – Lodi
Example Sentence: Pa-picture naman, lodi! (Can I have a picture, idol?)
The word lodi is just an inverted form of the English word idol. A “lodi” is someone you admire or look up to.
For example, you wanna learn math, and you want your classmate who is good at math to teach you. You can say, “Uy lodi, paturo naman ako ng lesson sa math.” (Hey, idol, please teach me the lesson in math).
There’s also a shorter version of it, which is lods; it is used the same way. Remember, you cannot use this in formal situations like when referring to a teacher or boss.
Gossip – Chika
Example Sentence: Uy, anong chika? (Hey, what’s the tea?/Hey, What’s new?)
The word chika is another famous Tagalog slang word that means gossip or tea (not the tea that we can drink).
The slang word “chika” can mean either something that isn’t entirely true (like gossip, rumors, etc.) or something new that your friends are looking forward to hearing from you. It evolved from the slang word “chismis” which literally has the same meaning.
Just Sharing – SKL (Share Ko Lang)
Example Sentence: Ang saya ko ngayon, SKL. (i’M HAPPY TODAY, JUST SHARING.)
In daily conversations, you can hear the expression “Share ko lang” or “SKL”. It is used to share something with other people, like life updates, stories, news, or others.
The word lang means only or just. So, when you say “Share ko lang,” you literally just want to share without expecting everyone to react or reply.
Best Friend – Besh/Beshi/Bessy
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Example Sentence: besh, labas tayo! (hey best friend, let’s go out!)
The words “Besh/Beshi/Bessy” mean “best friend”. However, they don’t always mean best friend. This became a term used to call other people, regardless of if you’re best friends or not. But when someone calls you this, they send a message to be comfortable with the conversation.
Is That So? – Yarn
Example Sentence: Noli yarn? (Is that Noli?)
The word yarn is another famous Tagalog slang word derived from the word “iyan” (that or it). It does not refer to a kind of thread. You can mostly hear it nowadays to express doubt or disbelief, or to show how pleased someone is.
You can easily choose any word to describe your photo or video and add yarn at the end. One of the most famous uses of this slang word is Barbie Forteza’s line in the hit Filipino TV series “Maria Clara at Ibarra“
How Do You Say “Famous” In Tagalog?
The Tagalog word for “famous” in Tagalog is sikat
Sentences To Practice Famous Tagalog Words
Are you learning famous Tagalog words to quip when talking to your Filipino friends? If yes, then let’s make some scenarios for you to practice your conversational Tagalog phrases. Take a look at our examples and say them out loud:
| English | Tagalog | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Hey girl/best friend, I have some news for you. | Besshy, may chika ako sayo! | |
| Oh, you’re such a gossip monger! What is it? | Uy, marites ka naman! Ano ba yun? | |
| Zenya and Markie just broke up | Hiwalay na raw ang magjowang si Markie at Zenya | |
| Oh no! Markie was my idol | Hala? Lodi ko pa naman si Markie | |
| Are you affected? | Affected yarn? |
From the example above, you can see two girls talking about how their close friends, Markie and Zenya, broke up. But the way they are talking is not the formal Tagalog conversation you’ll hear from many Filipinos. This kind of Tagalog slang talk is very common among close friends only.
Tips For Learning Famous Tagalog Words
The best way to pick up famous Tagalog words is to learn them in context, practice with real Filipinos, and pay attention to which are formal and which are slang. A few pointers:
- Separate formal from slang. Words like salamat and kumusta work anywhere, but slang like jowa, lodi, or marites is for casual settings only, so avoid them with elders, teachers, or bosses.
- Learn the example sentences, not just the words. Seeing may jowa ka na? or anong chika? in a full sentence teaches you how the word actually behaves in conversation.
- Follow Filipino media. A huge share of these words spread through teleseryes, music, and TikTok, so watching and listening is one of the fastest ways to absorb them naturally.
- Practice with Filipino friends. Filipinos love it when foreigners try their language, so don’t be shy about testing out a sana all or a besh in the right moment.
- Use a proper app for the rest. Slang is fun, but it’s only a small part of the language. Since Babbel doesn’t offer Tagalog, nor do many other popular apps, you’ll want a tool built for it if you’re serious about holding real conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Famous Tagalog Words
What Are Some Famous Tagalog Words?
Some famous Tagalog words are mabuhay (“welcome” or “long live”), salamat (“thank you”), mahal kita (“I love you”), kumusta (“how are you?”), and maganda (“beautiful”). On the slang side, jowa (“partner”), marites (“gossiper”), lodi (“idol”), and sana all (“I hope everyone”) are widely recognized.
What Is A Famous Catchphrase In The Philippines?
As of this writing, many Filipinos say estetik (aesthetic), pi (po but with a different spelling), gew (go with a different spelling as well), si OA (the overacting), and tuldok, which is a Tagalog translation of the English slang “period.” You’ll also hear them say English catchphrases or slang like “it’s giving,” “slay,” or “that’s on point.” Still, with the TikTok and Instagram Filipino Gen-Zs, there are many famous catchphrases that are created and replaced very quickly.
What Famous Words Do Filipinos Say Before Eating A Meal?
You’ll hear the words “Amen” and some prayers that Filipinos say before eating a meal. You can also hear them say salamat, which is “thank you” in Tagalog. Others even try to say what other cultures do, like Itadakimasu (いただきます) from Japanese and Jal mokgesseumnida (잘 먹겠습니다) from Korean.
What Famous Filipino Words Can I Say To My Friends?
Apart from those we mentioned earlier, you can also add some of these Tagalog vocabulary: Dasurv (deserve), Petmalu (malupet/awesome), Hanep (amazing/cool), Sige (sure/okay), relaks ka lang (just relax), kain tayo (let’s eat), charot (I’m joking), and weh? (Really?). Many of these words are also Tagalog slang as well.
What Are Some Unique Tagalog Words?
Some unique Tagalog words with no direct English equivalent include gigil (the urge to squeeze something adorable), kilig (romantic butterflies), lambing (affectionate tenderness), kundiman (a traditional love song), and tampo (sulking to show hurt feelings). These words capture emotions and cultural ideas that often take a full sentence to express in English.
What Are Some Famous Tagalog Words About Life?
Famous Tagalog words and sayings about life include bahala na (“come what may,” a mix of faith and acceptance), diskarte (“resourcefulness”), kapit (“hold on/persevere”), and tiis (“endurance”).
How Does A Filipino Word Become Famous?
The Philippines is such a small country in Southeast Asia, but how come many people across the world know some Filipino words?
Well, there are different factors causing that. First, the Filipino/Tagalog language isn’t hard to learn, especially if you know Spanish. Words are pronounced the same way they are spelled.
Another factor is the population of Filipinos around the world. Around 10.8 million Filipinos live outside the Philippines. And if you have Filipino friends or relatives, you can’t stop yourself from learning or hearing even just one Filipino word, since Filipinos love talking to others.
Lastly, because of social media. We cannot deny that Filipinos are known for different things – beauty queens, singers, actors/actresses, and more. Since social media breaks boundaries, it’s easy to learn Tagalog words through music videos, movies, Filipino vlogs, podcasts, and more.
Summary: Famous Tagalog Words
The famous Tagalog words we’ve covered today fall into two broad groups: timeless formal words like mabuhay (“welcome”), salamat (“thank you”), and mahal kita (“I love you”), and ever-changing slang like jowa (“partner”), marites (“gossiper”), lodi (“idol”), and sana all (“I hope everyone”).
Many of these have spread far beyond the Philippines thanks to social media, music, and the country’s huge global community.
Learning them is a fun, low-pressure way to start with Tagalog and to connect with Filipino friends, family, or culture. But to move from recognizing a few viral words to actually holding a conversation, it helps to learn the language properly with a dedicated app or a Filipino friend.
Go Beyond Famous Tagalog Words With Ling!
Famous Tagalog words can easily be learned online or by just talking to other people. But it takes more than a handful of Tagalog words to actually communicate meaningfully. So, why not start learning Tagalog with the Ling app?
With bite-sized lessons, native-speaker audio, and interactive practice, the Ling app can take you from a few viral words to real, everyday Tagalog you can actually use. Whether you’re connecting with your heritage, planning a trip to the Philippines, or just want to keep up with your Pinoy friends, Ling makes learning feel natural instead of like studying.
Ready to go beyond the famous words? Try the Ling app now by downloading it on your phone. Why wait, right?
