Interested in the Tagalog business vocabulary used by most Filipino business people? Nothing beats having extra knowledge of specific jargon in the business world. If you plan to land a job in the Philippines or work with any of the Filipinos, being able to use any of these simple words will undoubtedly make them impressed with your skills. If you are ready to learn about that, keep reading!
Business In The Philippines: A Quick View
The Philippines, the second-most densely populated country located In Southeast Asia after Indonesia, has generally had one of the region’s and the world’s fastest economic development rates. Thanks to a high level of English fluency and competency, the Philippines’ economy is also quickly developing in global services and commerce. Hence, Filipinos are ready to work overseas or with foreign nationals.
Moreover, its tropical weather and welcoming culture offer an excellent workplace for foreign nationals wishing to do business in the country. Although salaries are lower than in other nations, the government is devoted to strengthening the country’s economic growth and generating more sustainable cities, primarily throughout Manila.
Popular Businesses In The Philippines
The following are some of the most prevalent businesses in the country:
- Online Business
- Small Business
- Franchise
- Sari-sari Store
- Food Cart
- Insurance
- Ukay-ukay (Thrift Shop)
- Rice Retail
- Airbnb
- Pawnshop
Tagalog Business Vocabulary

Tagalog Words | English Translations/Definitions |
negosyante | businessman/businesswoman |
negosyo | business |
tubo | interest |
tubo sa utang | interest on a loan |
walang tubo | no interest |
buwis | tax |
katunggali | competitor |
kasosyo | shareholder |
kasapi | stakeholder |
tauhan | staff |
kumpanya | company |
opisyal | official |
ihatid | deliver |
mamigay | distribute |
panukala | propose |
dokumento | document |
mga dokumento | documents |
papeles | papers |
suhol | bribe |
lugi | no profit |
kontrata | contract |
pera | money |
bayad | payment |
utang | debt |
kalahati | half |
kapiraso | bit |
asahan | expect |
pautang | loan |
bangko | bank |
tseke | check |
kasunduan | agreement |
ma’am/sir/boss | honorary term in a business context |
singil | to collect money |
abono | money paid on someone’s behalf |
interes | interest |
sira | damaged |
deparmento | department |
mga detalye | details |
inilathala | published |
mga kompanya | companies |
datos | data |
mga kategorya | categories |
kuwenta | computation |
salaysay | account |
paluwal | downpayment |
mapabuti | improve |
sumang-ayon | agree |
kalakal | goods |
bayaran | to pay |
hanapbuhay | occupation |
bangkarote | bankrupt |
taghirap | economic difficulty/financial difficulty |
mayaman | rich |
matumal | unsteady business |
trabaho | work |
kapital | capital |
industriyal | industrial/industry |
agrikultural/pagsasaka | agricultural |
tingi | to acquire or sell in pieces rather than whole |
barato | sale or discounted price |
mura | cheap/affordable |
mahal | costly/highly expensive |
sulit | worth the cost or price |
kita | profit |
kumita | earned a profit |
sari-sari | general merchandise |
magkano? | how much? (about the price) |
tubong-lugaw | slang term for very little profit |
buena mano | the first sale of the day, and the vendor offers a substantial discount to the first buyer in an attempt to attract additional business luck. |
presyong kaibigan | given to friends at a reduced price |
sweldo | payday/salary |
hulugan | installment payment |
libre | free |
patong/dagdag | increased profit or extra fee |
tumawad | to bargain for a lower price, as is customary at wholesale stores or marketplaces in the Philippines as well as other Asian countries |
diskwento/tawad | discount |
tunay | authentic/genuine |
timbang | weight |
laki | size |
luwag/luwang | width |
bigat | weight |
peke | slang term for fake |
kinupit | stolen |
mangupit | to steal |
kupit | steal |
mandaya | to cheat |
madaya | cheater |
daya | cheat |
katiwala | trustee/overseer |
kahero/kahera | cashier |
kasosyo | co-owner/co-capitalist |
boss | owner of the business |
sumali | join |
mga tauhan | employees |
gastos | expense |
arkila | rent (vehicle) |
renta | rent (equipment) |
laway lang ang puhunan | there is no actual capital, only sales talk |
hiram | rent or borrow (equipment or money) |
puhunan | capital |
Other Tagalog Business Vocabulary

1. Masigasig Na Tabahador (Team Player)
- A person who performs effectively as a team or group member
2. Negosyante (Entrepreneur)
- A person who establishes and runs a firm or enterprise while taking on more than usual financial risks to accomplish.
3. Panimula (Start-Up)
- A newly created enterprise/business
4. Pagpapalawak (Expansion)
- A thing formed by the enlargement, broadening, or development of something
5. Malayang Trabahador (Freelance)
- Working for multiple firms at different periods rather than being engaged by a single organization on a long term basis
6. Mamuhunan (Invest)
- Spend money with the hope of making a profit or obtaining a meaningful outcome by investing it in financial arrangements, stocks, or real estate, or by establishing a business venture.
7. Kasangguni (Consultant)
- An expert who gives professional business advice
8. Badyet (Budget)
- An estimate of cash flow in a certain period
9. Dagdag Na Halaga (Added Value)
- Anything that promotes the value of a product to customers
10. Pagpapanatili (Sustainability)
- Refers to conducting business in a way that does not harm the environment, society, or humanity.
11. Paghahanap Ng Manggagawa sa Labas (Outsourcing)
- The process of hiring a third party outside of a corporation to execute services or make commodities formerly conducted in-house by the firm’s workers and personnel.
Learn Tagalog Lessons With Ling App
There is much more to this language than just the Tagalog words mentioned above. Want to learn more? Some Tagalog blog posts that they can search and learn are Tagalog Slang words, basic Tagalog greetings, and the alphabet of the Philippines by reading informative blog posts on Ling App.
Do you want to understand more about Tagalog fully? Download Ling App by Simya Solutions.

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