Filipino Vocabulary: Nouns, Verbs & Adjectives

• Filipino vocabulary encompasses a wide array of words influenced by the country's history and diverse cultures.
• The vocabulary includes native words, as well as loanwords from Spanish, English, Malay, Hokkien, and other languages.
• Standard Filipino is based on Tagalog, but incorporates words from other Philippine languages.

Common Nouns

• Tao: Person
• Bahay: House
• Kotse: Car
• Aso: Dog
• Pusa: Cat
• Pagkain: Food
• Tubig: Water
• Libro: Book
• Pera: Money
• Paaralan: School

Common Verbs

• Kain: Eat
• Inom: Drink
• Tulog: Sleep
• Takbo: Run
• Lakad: Walk
• Basa: Read
• Sulat: Write
• Laro: Play
• Awit: Sing
• Sayaw: Dance

Common Adjectives

• Maganda: Beautiful
• Mabuti: Good
• Malaki: Big
• Maliit: Small
• Mabilis: Fast
• Mabagal: Slow
• Mahaba: Long
• Maikli: Short
• Mainit: Hot
• Malamig: Cold

Common Adverbs

• Dito: Here
• Doon: There
• Ngayon: Now
• Mamaya: Later
• Kahapon: Yesterday
• Bukas: Tomorrow
• Mabilis: Quickly
• Mabagal: Slowly
• Madalas: Often
• Bihira: Rarely

Greetings and Basic Phrases

• Kumusta: Hello / How are you?
• Magandang umaga: Good morning
• Magandang tanghali: Good noon
• Magandang hapon: Good afternoon
• Magandang gabi: Good evening
• Salamat: Thank you
• Walang anuman: You're welcome
• Oo: Yes
• Hindi: No
• Paumanhin: Excuse me / Sorry

Numbers

• Isa: One
• Dalawa: Two
• Tatlo: Three
• Apat: Four
• Lima: Five
• Anim: Six
• Pito: Seven
• Walo: Eight
• Siyam: Nine
• Sampu: Ten

Colors

• Pula: Red
• Asul: Blue
• Dilaw: Yellow
• Berde: Green
• Itim: Black
• Puti: White
• Lila: Violet
• Kahel: Orange
• Kulay rosas: Pink
• Kayumanggi: Brown

Family Terms

• Ama: Father
• Ina: Mother
• Anak: Child
• Kapatid: Sibling
• Lola: Grandmother
• Lolo: Grandfather
• Tita: Aunt
• Tito: Uncle
• Pinsan: Cousin

Body Parts

• Ulo: Head
• Mata: Eye
• Ilong: Nose
• Bibig: Mouth
• Tainga: Ear
• Kamay: Hand
• Paa: Foot
• Tiyan: Stomach
• Buhok: Hair
• Ngipin: Tooth

Places

• Palengke: Market
• Simbahan: Church
• Ospital: Hospital
• Bayan: Town
• Lungsod: City
• Bansa: Country
• Dagat: Sea
• Bundok: Mountain
• Ilog: River
• Parke: Park

Time

• Oras: Hour
• Minuto: Minute
• Segundo: Second
• Araw: Day
• Linggo: Week
• Buwan: Month
• Taon: Year
• Umaga: Morning
• Tanghali: Noon
• Hapon: Afternoon
• Gabi: Evening

Clothing

• Damit: Clothes
• Pantalon: Pants
• Kamiseta: Shirt
• Sapatos: Shoes
• Medyas: Socks
• Sumbrero: Hat
• Palda: Skirt
• Bestida: Dress
• Sinturon: Belt
• Kwelyo: Collar

Food

• Kanin: Rice
• Ulam: Dish (viand)
• Isda: Fish
• Karne: Meat
• Gulay: Vegetables
• Prutas: Fruits
• Tinapay: Bread
• Kape: Coffee
• Asukal: Sugar
• Asin: Salt

Transportation

• Bus: Bus
• Tren: Train
• Bisikleta: Bicycle
• Motorsiklo: Motorcycle
• Bangka: Boat
• Eroplano: Airplane
• Barko: Ship
• Taksi: Taxi
• Jeepney: Jeepney
• Tricycle: Tricycle

Commonly Used Words

• Ng: Of
• Sa: To/In/At
• Ang: The
• Na: That
• At: And
• Pero: But
• Para: For
• Dahil: Because
• Kung: If
• Kaya: So/Therefore

Question Words

• Sino: Who
• Ano: What
• Saan: Where
• Kailan: When
• Bakit: Why
• Paano: How
• Ilan: How many
• Magkano: How much

Common Phrases

• Anong pangalan mo?: What is your name?
• Ako si...: I am...
• Saan ka pupunta?: Where are you going?
• Gusto ko...: I want...
• Mahal kita: I love you
• Hindi ko maintindihan: I don't understand
• Maaari mo bang ulitin?: Can you repeat?
• Tulong!: Help!
• Magkano ito?: How much is this?

Verbs with multiple meanings

• Kuha: Get, take, understand, photograph
• Gawa: Do, make, act, manufacture
• Bigay: Give, provide, allow, grant
• Sabi: Say, tell, utter, claim
• Punta: Go, head to, visit, proceed

Cultural Vocabulary

• Bayanihan: Community spirit, helping one another
• Pasalubong: Souvenir, gift from a trip
• Po: Respectful particle used when addressing elders
• Opò: Yes (respectful)
• Kainan: A place to eat, restaurant

Vocabulary related to nature

• Halaman: Plant
• Bulaklak: Flower
• Puno: Tree
• Langit: Sky
• Ulan: Rain
• Hangin: Wind
• Lupa: Soil
• Bato: Stone
• Araw: Sun
• Buwan: Moon

Vocabulary related to emotions

• Saya: Happiness
• Lungkot: Sadness
• Galit: Anger
• Takot: Fear
• Pag-asa: Hope
• Pag-ibig: Love
• Inggit: Envy
• Hiya: Shame
• Pagkagulat: Surprise
• Pagkabalisa: Anxiety

Common Idioms

• Butas ang bulsa: Empty pocket (broke)
• Anak-pawis: Working class person
• Balat-sibuyas: Sensitive person
• Utak-biya: Bird-brained (stupid)
• Kapit-tuko: Clingy

Regional Variations

• Some words have different meanings or are exclusive to certain regions (e.g., Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao).
• Variations depend on the specific dialect or language within the Philippines.
• Understanding regional vocabulary requires exposure to different Philippine languages beyond standard Filipino.

Explore essential Filipino vocabulary, including common nouns like 'tao' (person) and verbs like 'kain' (eat). Learn adjectives such as 'maganda' (beautiful) and useful adverbs. This overview covers key Tagalog words for everyday conversations.