Asking Questions in Tagalog

In the previous posts, we have learn how to greet in Tagalog and some of the most basic conversational phrases in Tagalog. In this post, we are going to focus on asking and replying to questions.

What? /Ano?

What is it?/Ano iyon? 

What is that?/ Ano iyan?

What are those?/Ano ang mga iyon?

Where?/ Saan?

Where is it?/ Saan iyon?

Where is that? Saan iyan?

How to Introduce Yourself in Tagalog (Part 1)

Filipinos, just like in other countries introduce themselves by saying “Hi” or “Hello.” In formal introduction, new acquaintances usually shake hands. In informal conversations, they usually wave hands and just say Hi.

The following are typical Filipino conversations in Tagalog during introduction of friends (students) and their translations.

Marie: Hi. Ako si Marie. Anong pangalan mo? / Hi. I’m Marie. What’s your name?

Ethel: Hello, ako si Ethel? Hello, I am Ethel.

Note: ako (I, I am, me),  anong for “ano ang” (what),  pangalan (name)

***

Marie: Sino siya? / Who is he?

Ethel: Kaibigan ko, si Ralph. / My friend, Ralph.  

Notes: sino (who), siya pronounced as "shah" (he/she), kaibigan (friend), ko (my, mine)

How to Count in Tagalog From 1 to 10,000

Counting in Tagalog or Filipino is very similar to counting in English. Aside from 1 to 10 and 11 to 20, most numbers are just combined translations of their Tagalog equivalents in thousands, hundreds and ones place. Below are the translation of the numbers from 1 through 10,000. Note, however, that in the Philippines numbers greater than 10 are often said in English. 

Counting From 1 to 10 in Tagalog

one – isa                                            

two – dalawa

three – tatlo

four – apat

five – lima

six – anim

seven – pito

eight – walo

nine – siyam

ten – sampu

For 11 to 19, you add the word “labing” in front and then add the Tagalog of 1 through 9. So, eleven, twelve, and thirteen, will have the following Tagalog transalation respectively: labing isa, labing dalawa and labing tatlo.