Saying farewell is never easy. What is even scarier is saying goodbye in Tagalog knowing full well that your knowledge on it is still not enough! With that being said, this article will walk you through how you can express in the Tagalog language some of the common parting words in both formal and casual contexts. Whether you are learning this bittersweet word as a way to connect with your friends or just mainly tired of saying the plain-old “goodbye,” you do not have to worry anymore because we got you covered. Prepare to “Filipinize” yourself with our smart list of Tagalog variations for the word “goodbye” below.
In the Tagalog language, the most common translation for the parting word “goodbye” is “paalam.” It is a combination of two words: “pa” which is often used to seek permission, and “alam” which directly translates in English as “to know.” Aside from being an interjection, this word may be tricky since it is also used as a verb to let someone know something. Take note of the example below:
| Usage | Tagalog | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Interjection | Paalam | “Dumidilim na. Paalam na muna” Translation: “It’s getting dark. Goodbye!” |
| Verb | Paalam | “Saan ka pupunta? Nag-paalam ka ba na lalabas ka?” Translation: “Where are you going? Did you ask for permission to go out? |
*Note: While this is the standard translation for “goodbye,” Filipinos rarely use this term in everyday conversation. This word is handy for both formal and casual contexts.
With that being said, whenever a Filipino says “paalam” that signifies that he or she is (1) letting you know that she wants to go and (2) is asking for your permission to go. Regardless of the context, the usual response for goodbye in Tagalog is “sige. Ingat ka” which means “ok. Take care!”
But that’s not all! Similar to English, there are various ways by which you can bid farewell in Filipino. In the coming sections of this article, we will walk you through the variations used in formal and casual contexts. After all, saying the wrong thing may actually offend someone!
For instance, if you are about to bid your boss farewell, you cannot just easily say “sige” as that will sound disrespectful and too casual! So, you better take note of our list below to keep yourself safe from the possible repercussions.
How to Say Goodbye in Tagalog (Formal)
In Tagalog, there are four smart ways to say goodbye in a formal setting. Suppose you have been reading our posts on how to say good morning or thank you in the Tagalog language, you’ll recognize right away the word “po” which signifies that the expression is polite and respectful. It may be used when conversing with older individuals and people of authority.
| English | Tagalog | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Goodbye now | Paalam na po | “Sige po, paalam na po” Translation: “Okay, goodbye now!” |
| Until next time | Hanggang sa muli po | “Sana magkita tayo ulit hanggal sa muli” Translation: “I hope we meet again next time” |
| I am going now | Aalis na po ako | “Mabuti pang umalis muna po ako” Translation: “I’d better leave first” |
| I’ll go ahead | Mauna na po ako | “Masyadong mainit dito. Mauna na po ako!” Translation: “It’s too hot in here. I’ll go ahead.” |
How to Say Goodbye in Tagalog (Casual)
Of course, there are countless times by which you have to bid farewell when conversing with close friends, relatives, and family members. To arm you up with the informal terms and slangs you can use for these situations, you can take note of our list below.
| English | Tagalog | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To go ahead | Sige | “Sige, dyan ka na muna.” Translation: “I’ll go ahead and leave you now” |
| Take care and goodbye Ingat “Mukhang busy ka. Ingat ha” Translation: “You look busy. Take care and goodbye” | Hanggang sa muli po | “Sana magkita tayo ulit hanggal sa muli” Translation: “I hope we meet again next time” |
| I’ll leave you for a while | Iwan muna kita | “May aasikasuhin lang ako. Iwan muna kita.” Translation: “I’ll just take care of something, so I’ll leave you for a while” |
| Until next time | O, sige ha! | “O, sige ha! Sasakay na ako ng jeep!” Translation: “Until next time. I will ride the jeepney now” |
| Till next time | Hanggang sa muli | “Sana magkita tayo ulit hanggal sa muli” Translation: “I hope we meet again next time” |
| I am going now | Aaalis na ako | “Ayoko na. Aalis na ako!” Translation: “I’ve had enough. I am going now” |
| I’ll go ahead | Mauna na ako | “Salamat sa tulong mo.Mauna na ako.” Translation: “Thanks for your help. I’ll go ahead” |
| Goodbye | Bye-bye! | “Bye bye sa iyo kaibigan!” Translation: “Goodbye, my friend!” |
*Note: To look more native, you may add a quick nod while using any of the variations above as you say goodbye in Tagalog.
Sample scenario
Now let us say a native suddenly comes to you for a quick chat. A typical conversation may be structured in the format below.
| English | Tagalog |
|---|---|
| Person 1: How are you? | Person 1: Kumusta? |
| Person 2: I’m good. How about you? | Person 2: Mabuti naman po. Kayo po? |
| Person 1: I’m good too. Take care! | Person 1: Mabuti rin naman. Mag-iingat ka! |
| Person 2: Until next time. I’ll go ahead | Person 2: Hanggang sa muli po, mauna na po ako |
Learning basic phrases in the Tagalog language
If you enjoyed this post on how to say goodbye in Tagalog, then you will surely love the Ling app. The Ling App is an outstanding companion for language enthusiasts and travelers who challenge themselves to learn various languages. In order to establish a more meaningful connection with the natives, using a dedicated app for learning Tagalog proves to be one of the best methods in learning sentence structure and vocabulary words. Besides being an entertaining platform, did I also mention that the app can significantly help you hone your reading, writing, and listening skills? Isn’t that interesting?
With your newfound vocabulary in expressing goodbye in Tagalog, you are one step closer to achieving full Tagalog fluency! Remember that the key to learning a language is time, continuous practice, and consistency. With that being said, if you want to further master the language and make meaningful connections with the Filipino people, be sure to check out the Ling App on the Google Play Store or the App Store. The Ling App features fun mini-games and quizzes that can motivate you to practice and learn more about the language day by day.
