100+ Common Tagalog Vocabulary: The Best List

Common Tagalog Vocabulary - A photo of a woman talking

Tagalog is one of the most exciting Asian languages to learn. It is unique yet shares similarities with languages like English, Spanish, and Chinese.

I think this is why many are interested in mastering the common Tagalog vocabulary and sentence structure. If you are one of them, you landed on the right post! Check out below to learn more about this awesome language.

About The Tagalog Language

In the past, Austronesian languages, including Tagalog, were widely spoken in the Philippines. This was before colonization by countries like Spain, Japan, and America.

But as time went by, the English language became one of the national and official languages of the Philippines, together with the Filipino language. Another thing is that Tagalog and English use the Latin alphabet. However, their pronunciation and structures can differ, while some similarities exist.

The Filipino people are known for their friendliness and hospitality, especially in the Asia Pacific region. Their greeting ‘Mabuhay!’ is a formal way of welcoming visitors and has an honorable and alluring tone. This is also why other beginners of the Tagalog language who visited the country are passionate about learning Tagalog. They want to use it to communicate with the locals in the Philippines. Thus, it is one of the most common Tagalog vocabulary you’ll hear when you’re visiting the Philippines.

common Tagalog vocabulary - a photo of two friends talking to each other while sitting at a park and eating foods

What Are The Common Tagalog Vocabulary You Should Learn?

Do you want to impress the locals with your skills in Tagalog? Be sure to add these words to your basic sentences when conversing with the locals.

If we could give one tip, it would be to memorize some of these words. Doing so will help you instantly connect with Filipinos. Why? Simply because the locals appreciate it when you try to speak with them in a language close to their heart.

So, here are the common Tagalog vocabulary and familiar words used in the Philippines. Let’s start learning!

EnglishTagalog
IAko
ThisIto
RightKanan (Right direction), Tama (Correct)
LeftKaliwa (Left direction), Naiwan (Left behind)
GoodbyePaalam
YesOo
NoHindi
WantGusto
CorrectTama (Right, Correct)
TrueTotoo
FreeLibre (No cost), Malaya (Freedom)
HandKamay
NeedKailangan
ElectionEleksyon
ChangePagbabago
NewspaperDyaryo
NewsBalita
Thank YouSalamat
TeachMagturo
ComputerKompyuter
ReadBasahin
BookLibro
PencilLapis
TravelPaglalakbay
NeighborKapit-bahay
KillPumatay
ActKumilos (Move, Act), Gawa (Deed, Act)
ExampleHalimbawa
WarDigmaan
DeadPatay
AfraidTakot
PlayMaglaro (Play a game), Magpatugtog (Play a Music)
SlowMabagal
LoudMalakas (High volume)
LargeMalaki (Big in size), Malaki (Big in a general sense)
DeliciousMasarap
WhereSaan
SmileNgiti
LovePag-ibig
WhyBakit
HowPaano
WhenKailan
FatTaba (Fat, Chubby), Mataba (Fat person)
HairBuhok
BankBangko
MoneyPera
SmellAmoy (Noun), Maamoy (Adjective)
RoadKalsada
RainUlan
BedKama
EatKumain
SugarAsukal
EggItlog
BreadTinapay
MilkGatas
IceYelo
HeartPuso
BloodDugo
SummerTag-araw
BuyBumili
StoreTindahan
AskMagtanong
RunTumakbo
WriteSulat (Noun), Sumulat (Verb)
CoolMalamig (Temperature), Astig (Slang for “cool”)
SoilLupa (Soil, Land)
WinterTaglamig
ClimbUmakyat
HillBurol (Hill, Funeral wake)
GlassSalamin (Mirror, Glass)
GrassDamo
JobTrabaho
ClassKlase
SongKanta
SoundTunog
VisitPagbisita
SoftMalambot
FunSaya, Kasayaan (Joy, Fun)
MillionMilyon
RichMayaman (Wealthy, Affluent), Mataba (For soil: fertile, rich)
PlaneEroplano
WorldMundo
HatSumbrero
TruckTrak
NoseIlong
HearPakinggan (To listen intentionally), Marinig (To hear unintentionally)
ListenMakinig
HouseBahay
PictureLarawan (Photograph, Painting, Visual representation)
UsAtin (Inclusive: you and me), Amin (Exclusive: we, but not you)
SelfSarili
NearMalapit
SkyLangit
PayBayaran (Payment), Magbayad (To pay)
ClockOrasan
RadioRadyo
RingSingsing (Ring), Tumunog (Sound, Ring)
ChairSilya
IronBakal (Iron, Metal)
StreetKalye
OfficeOpisina
TripPaglalakbay (Journey, Trip), Madapa (Stumble, Trip)
FlowerBulaklak
HopeUmaasa (Hoping), Pag-asa (Hope)
PlaceLugar
WhereSaan
LiveMabuhay (Live, Long live)
AfterPagkatapos
ManTao (Person, Human being), Lalaking Tao (Male person), Lalaki (Male)
CameDumating
GoodMabuti
NamePangalan
VeryNapaka, Sobra
TiredPagod

You’re all set to start a conversation in Tagalog with these words and phrases. Remember, every bit of effort counts. So, keep practicing! Do you want more? Then, let’s go!

common Tagalog vocabulary - A photo of girl friends talking outside an establishment

Other Tagalog Vocabulary: Essential Phrases

You know what? There are more essential Tagalog phrases that can enrich your conversations. These are the phrases Filipinos use in their day-to-day interactions. Here are some of them:

EnglishTagalog
Beautiful dayMagandang araw
Good morningMagandang umaga
Good afternoonMagandang hapon
Good eveningMagandang gabi
How are you?Kamusta ka?
Please pass my payment to the driverPakiabot po ng bayad sa drayber
This is my PaymentIto ang bayad ko
How much?Magkano?
This is expensive! Can you give me a cheaper price?Ang mahal naman! Pwede bang bigyan mo ako ng mas mababang presyo?
Have you eaten?Kumain ka na?
I’m fullBusog na ako
I will just take a showerMaliligo lang ako
It’s too hot outsideSobrang init sa labas
I’m tiredPagod na ako
I want it tooGusto ko din
It’s time to go homeOras na para umuwi sa bahay
Thank YouSalamat

Time To Practice These Common Tagalog Words And Phrases With Ling!

Learning Tagalog with the Ling app is fun and easy. Why? This app is equipped with several language activities that help you understand common Tagalog phrases. Aside from that, the Ling app also teaches you simple sentence structure and grammar, pronunciation and fluency, meanings of a particular word, and other language-related skills.

You can learn those by answering interactive quizzes and flashcards. Also, the app has a fun chatbot feature to practice real-life conversations. What’s more, you can learn other countries’ different languages because the Ling app offers 60+ languages.

You can also explore other blog posts about your target language written by various native speakers. This includes topics like history, cultures, slang words and phrases, different parts of speech, famous clothing and foods, and others. You can also read several honest reviews and feedback concerning other language learning applications written by several language specialists.

Can’t wait to improve your language skills? Hurry and download the Ling app from the Play Store and App Store now! Learn the most common Tagalog vocabulary while having fun!

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3 Responses

  1. Sound for ‘kailangan’ is not functioning.
    Sound for ‘eleksyon’ gives ‘kailangan’

    Please correct it.

    1. Hi John! Thank you so much for reading and your feedback is greatly appreciated. I’ve updated the sounds.

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