Saying farewell or paalam in Tagalog is never easy. What is even scarier is saying goodbye in Tagalog, knowing your knowledge of it is still not enough! With that being said, this article will walk you through how you can express some of the common parting words in both formal and casual contexts in the Tagalog language.
Whether you are learning Tagalog or 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.
What Is Goodbye In Tagalog?
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 Tagalog verb to let someone know something. Take note of the example below:
| Usage | Tagalog | English Example | Tagalog Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interjection | Paalam | It’s getting dark. Goodbye! | Dumidilim na. Paalam! |
| Verb | Paalam | Where are you going? Did you ask for permission to go out? | Saan ka pupunta? Nag-paalam ka ba na lalabas ka? |
While the table shows 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) 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 say goodbye 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 immediately recognize 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.
By the way, if you want to learn more Tagalog or check out other languages, try the Ling app. It’s easy and fun to use, and you can find it on Google Play and the App Store. It’s perfect for picking up new languages!
| English | Tagalog | English Example | Tagalog Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodbye now | Paalam na po | Okay, goodbye now. | Sige po, paalam na po muna. |
| Until next time | Hanggang sa muli po | I hope we meet again. Until next time! | Sana magkita po tayo ulit. Hanggal sa muli po! |
| I am going now | Aalis na po ako | Excuse me, I am going now. | Pasintabi po, aalis na po ako. |
| I’ll go ahead | Mauna na po ako | It’s too hot in here. I’ll go ahead. | Masyadong mainit dito. Mauna na po ako. |
How To Say Goodbye In Filipino (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 yourself with the informal terms and slang you can use for these situations, you can take note of our list below.
| English | Tagalog | English Example | Tagalog Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go ahead | Sige | Go ahead, I’ll leave you here now. | Sige, dyan ka na muna. |
| Take care and goodbye | Ingat at paalam | Take care. Bye! | Ingat. Paalam! |
| I’ll leave you for a while | Iwan muna kita | I’ll just take care of something, so I’ll leave you for a while. | May aasikasuhin lang ako. Iwan muna kita. |
| Until next time | Oh, sige ha | Until next time. I will ride the jeepney now. | Oh, sige ha! Sasakay na ako ng jeep! |
| I am going now | Aaalis na ako | I’ve had enough. I am going now! | Ayoko na. Aalis na ako! |
| I’ll go ahead | Mauna na ako | Thanks for your help. I’ll go ahead. | Salamat sa tulong mo. Mauna na ako. |
| Goodbye | Bye-bye | Goodbye, my friend! | Bye bye sa iyo kaibigan! |
| Bye | Babayoo | I’m going home. Bye! | Uuwi na ako. Babayoo! |
Pro Tip: To look more native, you may add a quick nod while using any of the variations above as you say goodbye in Tagalog.
Tagalog Goodbye: 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. |
Saying Goodbye In Tagalog: Tips To Remember
Now that you know how to say goodbye in Tagalog, let me also tell you about showing respect and what to do in a certain moment. Here are some easy tips to help you say goodbye in a friendly and respectful way, just like a Filipino would.
Things To Do
- When It’s Emotional: If you’re saying goodbye after a special time together, like a family get-together, say something warm like Mag-iingat ka palagi (Always take care). It shows you care a lot.
- Hand Gestures Matter: In the Philippines, how you move your body when you say goodbye is important. Young people might touch an older person’s hand to their forehead as a sign of respect. This is called pagmamano.
- Saying Bye to Each Person: When you leave a party or meeting, try to say goodbye to everyone you talked to. A simple Paalam, [their name] or a friendly nod means a lot.
- Use Titles the Right Way: If you’re saying goodbye to someone like a teacher or doctor, use their job title. Say Paalam po, Madam Santos (Goodbye, Teacher Santos) to show respect.
- Mixing Languages: If you’re with a group of Filipino and non-Filipino friends, use both Tagalog and English. Say Paalam to everyone here and goodbye to our non-Filipino friends. It’s nice for everyone to understand.
Things Not To Do
- Don’t Get Too Personal: Don’t use sweet words like mahal (love) with people you’re not very close to. It can make things awkward.
- Serious Moments Need Serious Goodbyes: In a work meeting, don’t say something funny like Takas na ako! (I’m escaping now!). It’s better to keep it formal with Paalam po.
- Goodbyes Are Important: When you leave someone’s house, don’t just say “bye” and go. Take a moment to thank them, like Salamat sa pag-aasikaso, paalam po! (Thank you for your hospitality, goodbye!).
- Know the Local Way: In different parts of the Philippines, people say goodbye in different ways. For example, in Ilokano, they might say Pakada agpakadaakon kasta pay instead of Paalam. Try to use the local way.
- Keep It Formal When Needed: In a professional place, don’t use casual words like Babayoo. It’s better to say something like Aalis na po ako, salamat (I am leaving now, thank you) to be polite.
Wrapping Up: Goodbye In Tagalog
And we’re done! Now you know different ways to say goodbye in Tagalog. Remember, using these phrases is a nice way to show you care and respect Filipino culture. Start using them when you can. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference. You’ll sound more like you belong, and it’s a great way to make friends. So, go on and enjoy saying goodbye in Tagalog!
Updated By: Jefbeck
