Learn These 4+ Tagalog Polite Words Immediately

Have you noticed that Filipinos say po and opo all the time? It proves how incredibly polite and respectful they are. Todaywe’ll learn about the common Tagalog polite words and how you can use them during your interactions with the locals.

Why would you learn the Tagalog language? Isn’t it to communicate with Filipinos? In communicating with the localsyou need to build strong connections. It’s important to convey your message clearly andmost importantlyaccurately. You can do this by first learning how to sound and speak politely. Let’s get started!

Common Tagalog Polite Words

The Filipino/Tagalog word for polite is magalang while politeness is pagiging magalang. Sounding polite in the Tagalog language isn’t that hard. You have to learn a few wordsand it will go a long way.

Remember that when you’re visiting the Philippines as a foreignerrespecting the peoplecultureand language reflects who you are. Here is a list of Tagalog polite words to help you in speaking Filipino/Tagalog politely:

1. Po / Ho And Opo / Oho

When you talk to a Filipinoit’s impossible not to hear po and opo. These two words are the easiest way to sound polite in Tagalog. They are used mainly when talking to elders and people of authority.

You can just literally add po or ho in any phrase to sound polite. The word ho is an informal variation of the word poso you can choose it interchangeablyand the meaning won’t change. The Tagalog word opo and oho can also be translated as yes in English.

Howeverthis custom is infrequently followed in several areasparticularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. This is due to a little variance in customs and traditions created by the Philippines’ geographical location.

Example Sentence:

• Salamat po. / Salamat ho – Thank you.
  
  
• Opokumain na po ako. / Ohokumain na po ako. – YesI already ate.

2. Maaari (May/Can)

The next Tagalog polite word you will learn is maaari or may or can in English. This word is used in formal situations like schoolbooksand news. You’ll seldom hear this in a casual conversation because this word sounds way too formalbut native Tagalog speakers still use it in their daily conversations.

Want to hear how Tagalog really sounds?

Tap to hear native speakers pronounce common phrases

Hello Hello

Kumusta ka How are you

ang aking pangalan My name is

This is how Ling teaches — with real speaker voices! Ready to practice more?

Try a free lesson!

Example Sentences:

• Maaari mo ba akong tulungan? – Can you help me?
  
  
• Maaari ba akong humingi ng pabor? – May I ask for a favor.

3. Puwede (May/Can)

The Filipino polite word puwede is used the same way as maaari, but this is more casual. You can hear it in casual conversations. Most Filipino people use this when they are asking for favors or anything from a person.

Example Sentences:

• Puwede ko bang makuha ang iyong numero? – Can I get your number?
  
  
• Puwede ko bang hiramin ang iyong aklat? – May I borrow your book?

4. Pakiusap / Paki (Please)

Another Tagalog polite word that Filipinos use is pakiusap or paki. The English word please in Tagalog is translated to pakiusap. In spoken languagethe shortened version of pakiusap is paki + the root word of the verb. On the other handthe word pakiusap is often used in formal situations and documents.

Example Sentences:

• Pakitapon ang basura sa tamang tapunan. – Please throw your trash in the proper trash bin.
  
  
• Pakiusapmaghugas ng kamay bago kumain. – Please wash your hands before eating.

Tagalog Polite Words For Addressing Someone

Aside from the polite Tagalog words mentioned aboveyou can also use terms to address someone in a polite manner. This is something that Filipinos are known for.

You can also learn more Tagalog with the Ling app. It is an effective language app that helps you learn 60+ languages easily.

Sila / Nila / Inyo

These words are called panghalip in Tagalog or pronouns in Englishbut they are all in plural form. One interesting aspect of the Filipino/Tagalog language is that these pronouns are used even if they refer to only one person. This is a way of politely addressing someone. You may look at the example sentences belowincluding the example situations where they can be used.

Example Sentences:

• When talking on a phone or personal: Sino po sila? – Who is this?
  
  
• When asking a customer: Ano po ang kailangan nila? – What do you need?
  
  
• When giving someone in authority a gift: Para po ito sa inyo. – This is for you.

Ate / Kuya

The Tagalog words ate and kuya literally mean older sister and older brother in English. This is a form of respect for older people that isn’t common in other countries. These words can also be used when talking to a stranger in informal situations such as on the streetsin public vehiclesand in public areas. You can refer to the sample sentences below.

Example Sentences:

• Talking to older brother: Kuyatawag ka ni Mama. – (Older brother)Mom is calling you.
  
  
• Talking to older sister: Atepakitulungan naman ako sa aking takdang-aralin. – (Older sister)please help me with my assignment?
  
  
• Talking to a stranger: Atepuwede po bang magtanong? – Misscan I ask a question?
  
  
• Talking to a driver: Kuyapakibaba po ako sa kanto. – Sirplease drop me on the street corner.

Tita / Tito

The Tagalog words tito and tita can also be used in two different ways. The first one is for your aunt and uncle while the second one is for your friends or partners’ parents as long as they aren’t married yet.

When they get marriedsome people switch to calling them mama/nanay/’nay and papa/tatay/’tay. This is a form of politeness and respect towards them even if they are not blood-related. That’s how they usually address them in the Philippines.

Example Sentences:

• Aunt: Titapuwede ba akong matulog sa inyo ngayong gabi? – (Auntie)can I sleep in your place tonight?
  
  
• Uncle: Titopuwede mo ba akong turuan kung paano magbisikleta. – (Uncle)can you teach me how to ride a bike?
  
  
• Mother of friend/girlfriend or boyfriend: Titapuwede ko bang makausap ang inyong anak? – (Auntie)may I speak with your son/daughter?
  
  
• Father of friend/girlfriend or boyfriend: Titopuwede ko bang yayain sa labas si Jane? – (Uncle)may I invite Jane outside?

Sir / Ma’am

Many foreigners working with Filipinos can testify that Filipinos are used to calling their bosses “Ma’am” and “Sir.” Even if they are almost at the same rank as these peoplePinoys are used to addressing them politely by using “Ma’am” and “Sir” and even “Boss.” For Filipinosthis way of addressing their bosses is part of their valuesand it’s hard for them to call their colleagues casually.

Example Sentences:

• Sirpuwede po ba akong umuwi nang maaga ngayon? – Sircan I leave early today?
  
  
• Ma’amnakapaghanda na po ako para sa pulong mamaya. – Ma’amI’m already prepared for the meeting later.

How To Sound Polite In A Letter Or E-mail In Tagalog?

• Start with greetings (pagbati). You can check out the blog about Tagalog greetings to learn more.
  
  
• You can also include the receiver’s name in the greetingsso put the right honorific.
  
  
  • Ginoo – Mr.
    
    
  • Ginang. – Mrs.
    
    
  • Binibini – Ms.
    
    
• Use formal forms of the words when writing the body of the letter. Do not use Tagalog slang or informal words.
  
  
• For the closing or ending of the letter or an e-mailyou may use different polite expressions such as the following:
  
  
  • GumagalangLubos na gumagalang – Respectfully / With respects
    
    
  • Sumasaiyo/Lubos na sumasaiyo – Yours sincerely
    
    
• Lastlysend an email at the right time. Do not send an email or letter first thing in the morning or last minute at nightespecially if it’s work-related. This crucial advice may come in handy the next time you need to write an essay in Tagalog and send it by email.

How Do You Say Polite Words In Tagalog?

The Tagalog word for polite words is mga magalang na salita. 🔊 Play mga magalang na salita

Most Basic Tagalog Phrases In Polite Form

After learning the Tagalog polite wordshere are some important phrases in Filipino in their polite form. These are the basic Tagalog vocabulary that you must learn before going to the Philippines so that you can at least get by while going around the country and talking with the locals:

Some of the example sentences are very handy if you are going to disagree with someone in Tagalog. It’s very important to keep your calm and speak politely.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tagalog Polite Words

How Do Filipinos Show Their Respect?

Apart from adding the word po at the end of their sentenceFilipinos show their respect by using more formal or rarely used Tagalog words for the elderly or those in authority. Politeness is very important for Filipinos because they value respect and authority.

What Is The Filipino Gesture For Politeness?

A sample Filipino gesture is doing the traditional mano po or putting the hand of the elderly on your forehead.

Another one is also letting the older people or older relatives get food first when there is a salo-salo during festivals.

MoreoverFilipinos will always ask permission to make a way when passing by some people. The polite Tagalog phrases are usuallyexcuse me po or makikiraan po.

What Is A Respectful Greeting In Tagalog?

You will want to use the phrase Magandang Umaga po! when greeting a Filipino friend during the morning. On the other handif you want to just say good day in Tagalogyou can use Magandang araw po!

For evenings or saying good nighta respectful Tagalog greeting is magandang gabi po!

Why Politeness Is Important In The Philippines

Being respectfulespecially to eldershas always been part of Filipino culture. Filipinos are taught how to talk to an older person or people of authority using polite Filipino expressions and words at a young age. But being polite isn’t just for children and younger people. Filipinos also use polite words when talking to their colleaguesbossescustomersand even strangers.

The Philippines is such a beautiful countryand Filipinos are extraordinary. But once you land therebeing disrespectful is something that you would avoid because respect is a big deal in their culture.

Being a foreigner is not an excuse for learning how to speak politely. Of coursethey will understand if you don’t know how to sound politebut it wouldn’t hurt to learnespecially for language enthusiasts. It’s pretty easy anywayso yeahI hope these common Tagalog polite words will help you make an impression with Filipinos around the world.