10 Remarkable Ways To Say Thank You In Tagalog

Thank You In Tagalog

In order to survive in any foreign country, it is necessary that you must have base-level knowledge of the common vocabulary, slang, or expressions used by the locals. One of the sure-fire ways by which you can jumpstart your cultural immersion is by saying “thank you” in their language.  Especially, you’ll need to learn how to say Thank you in Tagalog to your Filipino friends.

Of course, saying thanks is a universal practice across cultures. Not only does it show the utmost respect for the country, but it also reflects one’s appreciation for the country’s vibrant, diverse, and unique traditions.

As you ready yourself to get lost in the walled city of Intramuros or for a beach party in the heart of Boracay, there is a big chance that you will have to express how thankful you were for something. For native English speakers, a simple thank you in Tagalog is often enough to show gratefulness.

But if you are learning Tagalog, you might be overwhelmed by the many ways by which Filipinos say their heartfelt thanks. With that in mind, let me help you out by listing down the most common ways how you can say “thank you” in various situations.

How Do I Say Thank You In Tagalog?

While it is true the concept of saying thank you is simple, there are various by which you can articulate it depending on the situation. One of the default ways for expressing thankfulness in the Tagalog language is by saying “salamat.”

English Example SentenceFormal Tagalog WordTagalog Example SentenceSound
Thank you for helping me!Salamat po!Salamat po sa pagtulong niyo sa akin![Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat po sa pagtulong niyo sa akin![/Speechword]
English Example SentenceInformalTagalog Example SentenceSound
Thank you for helping me!Salamat!Salamat sa tulong mo![Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat sa tulong mo![/Speechword]

It is no secret that Filipinos are known for their warm hospitality and acts of kindness. As a tourist, you can see how this simple compliment can put a big smile on their faces.

Based on the example above, you can use the word salamat in comfortable encounters between friends and casual acquaintances.

Saying Thank you in Tagalog To Older People

Saying Thank You To Older People

If you intend to speak in a more formal tone, adding the Tagalog word “po” can instantly transform the casual thanks into a formal one. You should add this word to show respect when you are conversing with older people, strangers, or those with higher authority (see examples below).

Example situationsWhat you may say in EnglishWhat you may say in TagalogSound
When you are thanking your boss for giving you a giftThank you for the gift.Salamat po sa inyong regalo![Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat po sa inyong regalo![/Speechword]
When you want to say thanks to the strangers who aided youThank you for your help.Salamat po sa tulong ninyo![Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat po sa tulong ninyo![/Speechword]
When you want to casually thank someone who helped you outThank you for your help.Salamat sa tulong![Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat sa tulong![/Speechword]
When you want to thank someone for everything he didThank you for everything you did.Salamat sa lahat ng ginawa mo.[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat sa lahat ng ginawa mo.[/Speechword]

A quick tip: To improve relationships with the locals, you may say “salamat po” to thank people after you request their services or information, or when you buy from them. This will instantly cheer them up!

Expressing Extreme Gratefulness In Tagalog

There is also a variation in times when you need to express extreme gratefulness. In circumstances like this, one should simply add the word “maraming” before the word “salamat” which directly translates to “many thanks” in English.

English Example SentenceFormal For Thank YouTagalog Example SentenceSound
Thank you very much for helping me!Maraming salamat poMaraming salamat po sa pagtulong mo sa akin! [Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Maraming salamat po sa pagtulong mo sa akin! [/Speechword]

Similar to what we have discussed earlier, you may combine “maraming salamat” with the word “po” to signify formality. You can use this variation for extreme situations wherein you want to emphasize serious gratitude.

For instance, if someone returned your lost wallet or a friend covers you at work at the last minute, then a “maraming salamat po” is an appropriate thank-you phrase to be used.

Thank you in Tagalog how would you respond

How Would You Respond If Someone Say Thank You In Tagalog To You?

Now that you have learned how to say thanks in Tagalog, you also need to learn the common response of Filipinos and what they exactly mean.

Aside from having a big chance of using the word “salamat” during your stay in the Philippines, there is also a possibility that the locals will say it to you too.

One example of that is when you are buying off the streets, it is common for vendors to say “salamat” to their customers.

Formal Way For Saying Thank You

English Example SentenceFormal For Thank YouTagalog Example SentenceSound
Person A: Thank you for helping me!
Person B: You’re welcome.
Walang anuman poPerson A: Salamat po sa pagtulong mo sa akin.
Person B: Walang anuman po.
[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat po sa pagtulong mo sa akin.[/Speechword]
[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline] Walang anuman po.[/Speechword]

Informal Way For Saying Thank You

English Example SentenceInformal For Thank YouTagalog Example SentenceSound
Person A: Thank you for helping me!
Person B: You’re welcome.
Walang anumanPerson A: Salamat sa tulong mo.
Person B: Walang anuman.
[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat sa tulong mo.[/Speechword]
[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline] Walang anuman.[/Speechword]
Person A: Thank you for helping me!
Person B: It’s nothing / don’t mention it!
Wala ‘yonPerson A: Salamat sa tulong mo.
Person B: Wala ‘yun!
[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat sa tulong mo.[/Speechword]
[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline] Wala ‘yun![/Speechword]

Example Of A Conversation In Tagalog

At this point, let’s read the situation below where you are traveling in the Philippines. As a tourist, you approached one of the locals to ask where the nearest market is. Here is an example of an exchange.

SpeakerEnglishTagalogSound
YouGood morning! Can I ask you a question?Magandang umaga! Maari po bang magtanong? [Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Magandang umaga! Maari po bang magtanong? [/Speechword]
FilipinoWhat is it?Ano po iyon?[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Ano po iyon?[/Speechword]
YouWhere is the nearest drug store?Saan po ang pinakamalapit na botika? [Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Saan po ang pinakamalapit na botika? [/Speechword]
FilipinoJust follow this road until you see the “Ana’s Drug Store” on the rightSundin mo lamang ang daang ito hanggang sa makita mo sa kanan ang “Ana’s Drug Store”[Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Sundin mo lamang ang daang ito hanggang sa makita mo sa kanan ang Ana’s Drug Store [/Speechword]
YouThanks for your help!Salamat po sa tulong ninyo [Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Salamat po sa tulong ninyo [/Speechword]
FilipinoYou’re welcome!Walang anuman! [Speechword voice=”Filipino Female” isinline]Walang anuman! [/Speechword]
Learn Tagalog With The Ling App

Learning Basic Phrases In The Tagalog Language With Ling

Tagalog is indeed a diverse and interesting language to learn, especially because it is heavily influenced by English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Malay words. An example of the influence of English on Tagalog is that you will hear people in the Philippines also Filipinos, which is a combination of Tagalog and English. Due to this, language enthusiasts and travelers are challenging themselves to learn the language so that they may be able to appreciate the history behind every line.

With your newfound skill on how to properly say thank you in formal and informal contexts, you are one step closer to achieving full fluency! Remember that the key to learning a language is time, constant practice, and consistency. So, if you want to further master the language and make meaningful connections with the Filipino people, be sure to check out the Ling app.

The Ling app features fun mini-games and quizzes that can motivate you to practice and learn more about the language day by day. Since you have learned many ways to say thank you in Tagalog, let’s learn to say Hello in Tagalog. Or, if you want to take a step further, download the Ling app on the Play Store or App Store now!

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