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Bikol phrasebook

most-spoken language in the Bicol region

of Luzon, Philippines
Phrasebooks > Bikol phrasebook

Bicol (Bikol), pronounced as BEE-kawll is

a macrolanguage spoken by people in
the Bicol Region of southeastern Luzon,
Philippines and was strongly influenced
by Spanish. There are several dialects
(see Wikipedia for a list) but they are not
mutually intelligible.

Pronunciation guide

Accent marks …

Diacritics (tandang panduon) are

normally not written in everyday usage,
be it in publications or personal
correspondence. The teaching of
diacritics is inconsistent in Philippine
schools and many Bicolanos do not
know how to use them. However,
diacritics are normally used in
dictionaries and in textbooks aimed at
teaching the languages to foreigners.

There are three kinds of diacritics used in

Bicol:

Acute accent or pahilíg

Used to indicate primary or secondary

stress on a particular syllable; marháy. It
is usually omitted on words that are
stressed on the penultimate (second to
the last) syllable; babáyi = babayi. It is
possible that there is more than one
stressed syllable in a word, meaning that
that pahilíg mark may appear multiple
times, as in Repúbliká. If there is no
diacritic on the last two syllables of a
word, then it means that there is stress
on the penultimate syllable.

Grave accent or paiwà

It indicates that there is a glottal stop (/

ʔ/) at the end of the word. This mark may
only appear at the end of a word that
ends in a vowel. This mark does not
indicate stress. Therefore, following the
previously stated rule on stress, sampulò
is stressed on the second to the last
syllable.

Circumflex accent or pakupyâ

It indicates that the final syllable of a
word receives stress while there is a
glottal stop that follows; udô. This is
because it is a combination of the pahilíg
and paiwà marks. This mark may only
appear at the end of a word that ends in
a vowel.

Stress …

Although Bikol is pronounced as it is

spelled, stress is very unpredictable and
stressing the wrong syllable can lead to
misinterpretation; for that reason, almost
every book and dictionary concerning the
Bikol language will put an accent mark (´)
on the stressed syllable.

Vowels …

In Bicol, two consecutive vowels are

pronounced separately.

a
as in father
i
as in knee
o
as in dawn
u
as in moon.
Consonants …

b
as in bee
k
as in key
d
as in do
g
as in go
h
as in he
l
as in let
m
as in me
n
 as in knee
ng
as in song
p
as in pea
r
as in raw
s
as in sea
t
as in tea
w
as in we
y
as in you

Consequential diagraphs …
For Spanish loan words, consequential
diagraph is being used.

dy

as in Jew

ts

as in chew

Common diphthongs …

aw
as in how
iw
as in eeew
 ay
as in buy
oy
as in boy

Grammar

Personal Pronouns …

clusivity

Note that Bicol has two words which are

equivalent to the English word we. If you
intend to include the person or people
you are talking to, the word to use is kita.
If the subject does not include your
listener(s), then the correct word would
be, kami.
Negation …

Use dai to mean no and bakô to mean

not. "Daíng gayón" means no beauty and
bakóng magayón means not beautiful.
Some adjectives connot be combined
with daí. Never say daíng lumóy, instead
say, bakóng malumóy.

Singular and plural verbs …

Note To form the plural verbs in Bicol, the

syllables "ra","ri", "ro", and/or "ru", were
added at the middle of the root word
depending on the first syllable it follows.

The child is playing.

Nagkakawat an akì.
The children are playing.
Nagkakarawat an mga akì.
The man is sitting.
Nagtutukaw an lalaki.
The men are sitting.
Nagtuturukaw an mga lalaki.
The dog is barking.
Nagbabatok an ayam.
The dogs are barking.
Nagbabaratok an mga ayam.
He bought an ice cream.
Nágbakal siya nin ice cream.
They bought ice cream yesterday.
Nágbarakal sinda nin ice cream
kasuhapon.
He is praying.
Nangadyî siya.
They are praying.
Nangaradyî sinda.
The book was borrowed.
Sinublî su libro.
The books were borrowed.
Sinurublî su mga libro.
He came with me yesterday.
Nág-ibá siya sakuyà kasu-ugmâ.
They came with me yesterday.
Nág-iribá sindá sakuyà kasu-ugmâ.
He bathed in the sea.
Nagkarigos siya sa dagat.
They bathed in the sea.
Nagkararigos sinda sa dagat.
Singular and plural adjectives …

Note In Bicol plural adjectives are made

by adding the syllables "ra", "ri", "ro", and
"ru" after the first syllable. However, there
is an exception. The plural of "magayón",
is "magagayon" and "mabuot" is
"mabubuot".

a small stone.
saróng sadít na gapô.
four small stones.
apát na saradít na gapô.
a dry shorts.
sarong mamaráng sarwal.
two dry shorts.
duwáng mararáng sarwal.
 a short bamboo split.
saróng halìpot na balâ.
seven short bamboo splits.
pitong haralìpot na balâ.
a long bamboo split.
saróng halabà na balâ.
four long bamboo splits.
apát na haralabà na balâ

Spatio-temporal dimensions …

These words are adjectives that begin

with ha- and used only to refer to spatio-
temporal dimensions.
 Bicol English

halangkáw tall

hababâ low

hararom deep

hababaw shallow

halìpot short

halabà long (spatial)

harayô far

haraní near

hayakpít narrow

halakbáng wide

halawig long (temporal)

halóy long (temporal)

Interrogative Pronouns …

question.
hapót (hah-PAWT)
answer
simbág (sihm-BAHG)
to ask
maghapót (mahg-hah-PAWT)
to answer
magsimbág (mahg-sihm-BAHG)
who
siisay (sih-EE-sigh)
sirisay (plural) (sih-REE-sigh)
where
hain (HAH-ihn)
harain (plural) (hah-RAH-ihn)
sain (sah-EEN)
how
pàno (PAHʔ-naw)
when
nuarín (if the question is answerable by
future events) (noo-ah-REEN)
kasuarín (if the question is answerable
by past events) (kah-soo-ah-REEN)
whose
 kay siisay (kigh sih-EE-sigh)
how much (price)
mangguràno (mahng-goo-RAHʔ-naw)
mamirá (mah-mih-RAH)
how much (degree)
guràno (goo-RAHʔ-naw)
why
natà (Bicol-Legazpi) (NAH-tahʔ)
tàno (Bicol-Naga) (TAHʔ-naw)
what
anó (ah-NAW)
how many
pirá (pih-RAH)
which
arín (ah-REEN)

Phrase list
See Project:Pseudo-phoneticization guide
for guidance on the phoneticizations
below

Basics …
Common signs

OPEN
bukás (boo-KAHSS)
CLOSED
sarado (sah-RAH-daw)
ENTRANCE
laugan (lah-OO-gahn)
EXIT
luwasan (loo-WAH-sahn)
PUSH
túklangon (TOOCK-lah-ngawn)
PULL
guyudon (goo-YOO-dawn)
TOILET
banyo (BAHN-yaw)
 MEN
mga lalaki (mah-NGAH lah-LAH-kih)
WOMEN
mga babayi (mah-NGAH bah-BAH-yih)
FORBIDDEN
bawal (BAH-wahll)

Hello. (informal)
Nom. (Bicol-Legazpi) (nawm)
Nem. (Bicol-Legazpi)(nehm) it follows
the phrase anó na,(ah-NAW nah) in
which together literally translates as
how are you?
Tará. (Bicol-Naga, also used in Bicol-
Ligao) (tah-RAH)
Bicol-Naga speakers no longer use this
phrase because of influence from
Tagalog.

Hello. (formal)
Kumusta ka. (koo-mooss-TAH kah)
How are you? 
Kumusta ka. (koo-mooss-TAH kah)
Fine, thank you. 
Marhay man. Salamat. (mahr-HIGH
mahn, sah-LAH-maht)
What is your name? 
Ano an pangaran mo? (ah-NAW ahn
pah-NGAH-rahn maw)
My name is.
Ako si ___ . (ah-KAW sih)
Nice to meet you. 
Kaugmahan kong mamidbidan ka.
(one person) (kah-oog-MAH-hahn
kawng MAH-mihd-BEE-dahn kah)
Kaugmahan kong mamidbidan kamo.
(two or more person) (kah-oog-MAH-
hahn kawng MAH-mihd-BEE-dahn kah-
MAW)
Please.
tabì (TAH-bihʔ)
Thank you.
Dyos mábalos (jawss MAH-bah-lawss)
You're welcome.
Daing ano man (dah-EENG ah-NAW
mahn)
Yes.
iyó . (ih-YAW)
No.
daí . (dah-EE)
Excuse me. (getting attention)
Madalí saná tabì . (mah-dah-LEEʔ sah-
NAH TAH-bihʔ)
Excuse me. (May I get by)
Makiagi tabì . (mah-kih-AH-gee TAH-
bihʔ)
I'm sorry.
Pasinsya na (pah-sihn-SHAH nah )
Goodbye
Paaram (pah-AH-rahm)
Goodbye (informal)
Madigdi na ako (MAH-dihg-dee nah ah-
KAW)
I can't speak name of language well.
Daí ako tataó mágtaram nin (name of a
language) example Ingles.
Do you speak English? 
Tataó ka mag-English? (tah-tah-AW kah
mahg-EENG-glihsh)
Good day 
Marhay na aldaw (mahr-HIGH nah ahll-
DOW)
Good morning 
Marhay na aga (mahr-HIGH nah AH-
gah)
Good noon (this greeting is used
between eleven o'clock and twelve
fifty-nine)
Marhay na udto (mahr-HIGH nah ood-
TAW)
Good afternoon 
Marhay na hapon. (mahr-HIGH nah
HAH-pawn)
Good evening 
Marhay na banggí (mahr-HIGH nah
bahng-GEE)
To you all. (said after saying "good
morning", etc. but optional)
Some speakers prefer "saindong
gabos" while others prefer "saindo
gabos" without -ng. (sah-ihn-DAW gah-
BAWSS)
I don't understand
 Daí ko nasasabutan (dah-EE kaw nah-
sah-sah-BOO-tahn)
Where's the toilet?
Hain an banyo? (HAH-ihn ahn BAHN-
yaw)

Problems …

Leave me alone.
Pabayai saná daw ako. (pah-bah-YAH-
ih sah-NAH dow ah-KAW)
Don't touch me.
Daí mo ako pagdùtan. (dah-EE maw ah-
KAW pahg-DOOʔ-tahn
Help.
Tabang! (TAH-bahng)
Tabangi ako! (tah-BAH-ngih ah-KAW)
I need your help.
Kaipuhan ko an tabang mo. (kah-ih-
POO-hahn kaw ahn TAH-bang maw)
police.
pulis. (poo-LEESS)
Call the police.
Umapód ka nin pulis. (oo-mah-PAWD
kah nihn poo-LEESS)
I'm lost.
Nawáwarâ ako. (nah-WAH-wah-rahʔ ah-
KAW)
I'm tired.
Pagál ako. (pah-GAHLL ah-KAW)
I'm not feeling well.
Malain an pagmatì ko. (mah-LAH-ihn
ahn pahg-MAH-tihʔ kaw)
I can't sleep.
Daí ako nángangaturog. (dah-EE ah-
KAW NAH-ngah-ngah-too-rawg)
Daí ako makakaturog nin marhay.(dah-
EE ah-KOH mah-kah-kah-TOO-rawg nihn
mahr-HIGH)
I can't eat.
Daí ako makakakan.(dah-EE ah-KAW
mah-kah-kah-KAHN)
I have headache.
Makulóg an payó ko. (mah-koo-LAWG
ahn pah-YOO kaw)
I'm hungry.
Nagugutom ako (nah-goo-GOO-tawm
ah-KAW)
I'm thirsty.
Pipahà ako. (pih-PAH-hahʔ ah-KAW)
I ran out of money.
Daí na akong kwarta. (dah-EE nah ah-
KAWNG kwahr-TAH)
I lost my bag.
Náwarâ su bag ko. (NAH-wah-rahʔ soo
bahg kaw)
I lost my wallet.
Náwarâ su pitaka ko. (NAH-wah-rahʔ
soo pih-TAH-kah kaw)
I lost my cellphone.
Náwarâ su selpon ko. (NAH-wah-rahʔ
soo pih-TAH-kah kaw)
Where's the nearest hospital?
Saín an pinaka-haraníng hospital? (sah-
IHN ahn pih-nah-kah-hah-rah-NIHNG
 hawss-pih-TAHLL)
I have a knife.
Igwá akong kutsilyo. (ihg-WAH ah-
KAWNG koot-SEELL-yaw)
I don't have a knife.
Daí akong kutsilyo. (dah-EE ah-KAWNG
koot-SEELL-yaw)

Numbers …

There exist two names for the numbers in

Bicol. The native Bicol and the Spanish
names. Generally, Bicolanos use the
Spanish terms if they are talking about
time. You will, however, see the native
terms if you would read literary books. If
you are going on a shopping, prices are
given in Spanish names.

1 
sarô (sah-RAWʔ)
2 
duwá (doo-WAH)
3 
tuló (too-LAW)
4
apát (ah-PAHT)
5 
limá (lih-MAH)
6
anóm (ah-NAWM)
7
pitó (pih-TAW)
8 
waló (wah-LAW)
9 
siyam (sih-YAHM)
10
sampulò (sahm-POO-lawʔ)
11
kagsarô (kahg-sah-RAWʔ)
12
kagduwá (kahg-doo-WAH)
13
kagtuló (kahg-too-LAW)
14
kag-apát (kahg-ah-PAHT)
15
kaglimá (kahg-lih-MAH)
16
kag-anom (kahg-ah-NAWM)
17
kagpitó (kahg-pih-TAW)
18
kagwaló (kahg-wah-LAW)
19
kagsiyám (kahg-sih-YAHM)
20
duwang pulò (doo-wahng POO-lawʔ)
21
duwang pulò may sarô (doo-wahng
POO-lawʔ migh sah-RAWʔ)
22
duwang pulò may duwá (doo-wahng
POO-lawʔ migh doo-WAH)
23
duwang pulò may tuló (doo-wahng
POO-lawʔ migh too-LAW)
30
tulong pulò (too-lawng POO-lawʔ)
40
apát na pulò (ah-PAHT nah POO-lawʔ)
50
limang pulò (lih-mahng POO-lawʔ)
60
anóm na pulò (ah-NAWM nah POO-
lawʔ)
70
pitong pulò (pih-tawng POO-lawʔ)
80
walong pulò (wah-lawng POO-lawʔ)
90
siyam na pulò (sih-YAHM nah POO-
lawʔ)
100
san gatós (sahng gah-TAWS)
200
duwáng gatós (doo-WAHNG gah-
TAWS)
300
tulóng gatós (too-LAWNG gah-TAWS)
1,000
san ribo (sahng REE-baw)
2,000
duwáng ribo (doo-WAHNG REE-baw)
1,000,000
saróng milyon (sah-RAWNG mihll-
YAWN)
1,000,000,000
saróng bilyon (sah-RAWNG bihll-YAWN)
1,000,000,000,000
sarong trilyon (sah-RAWNG trihll-
YAWN)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
numero kan tren, bas, asbp. (NOO-mih-
raw kahn trehn, bahss, ah-SEEN ih-BAH
pah)
half
kabangâ (kah-bah-NGAHʔ)
less
 kuláng kuláng (koo-LAHNG koo-
LAHNG)
more
labí (lah-BEE)

Time …

now
ngunyan (ngoon-YAHN)
later
atyán (aht-CHAHN)
before
bago (BAH-gaw )
morning
aga (AH-gah )
afternoon
hapon (HAH-pawn)
 evening
banggi (bahng-GEE)
night
banggi (bahng-GEE)

Clock time …

one o'clock AM 

alá una nin pagka-aga (ah-LAH OO-nah
nihn pahg-kah-AH-gah)
two o'clock AM 
alás dos nin pagka-aga (ah-LAHSS
dawss nihn pahg-kah-AH-gah)
noon
udtó (ood-TAW)
one o'clock PM 
 alá una nin pagkahapon (ah-LAH OO-
nah nihn pahg-kah-HAH-pawn)
two o'clock PM 
alás dos nin pagkahapon (ah-LAHSS
dawss nihn pahg-kah-HAH-pawn)
midnight 
matangâ (mah-tah-NGAHʔ)

Duration …

_____ minute(s).
_____ minuto. (mih-NOO-taw)
_____ hour(s).
______ oras. (AW-rahss)
_____ day(s).
____ aldaw. (ahll-DOW)
_____ week(s).
 ____ semana. (sih-MAH-nah)
______ month(s).
____ bulan. (BOO-lahn)
_____ year(s).
____ taon. (tah-AWN)

Days …

Names for days are borrowed from

Spanish.

today
ngunyan na aldaw(ngoon-YAHN nah
ahll-DOW)
yesterday
kasuugmâ (Bikol-Legazpi) (kah-soo-
oog-MAHʔ)
kasuhapon (Bikol-Naga) (kah-soo-HAH-
pawn)
tomorrow
sa aga (sah AH-gah)
this week
ngunyan na semana (ngoon-YAHN nah
sih-MAH-nah)
last week
kan nakaaging semana (kahn nah-kah-
AH-gihng sih-MAH-nah)
next week
sa masunod na semana (sah MAH-
soo-nawd nah sih-MAH-nah)

monday
 lunes (LOO-nehss)
tuesday
martes (MAHR-tehss)
wednesday
myerkules (MYEHR-koo-lehss)
thursday
hwebes (HWEH-behss)
friday
byernes (BYEHR-nehss)
saturday
sabado (SAH-bah-daw)
sunday
domingo (doo-MEENG-gaw)

Months …
The names of the months are borrowed
from Spanish language.

January
Enero (eh-NEH-raw)
February
Pebrero (pehb-REH-raw)
March
Marso (MAHR-saw)
April
Abril (ahb-REELL)
May
Mayo (MAH-yaw)
June
Hunyo (HOON-yaw)
July
 Hulyo (HOOLL-yaw)
August
Agosto (ah-GOHSS-taw)
September
Setyembre (seht-YEHM-breh)
October
Oktubre (awck-TOO-breh)
November
Nobyembre (nawb-YEHM-breh)
December
Disyembre (dihss-YEHM-breh)

Writing time and date …

Dates can be written as follows:

 English format: April 26, 1988 would be
Abril 26, 1988
Spanish format: April 26, 1988 would
be ika-26 kan Abril, 1988

Times are written as in English (as in

2:23AM) but spoken in Spanish (as in
alas says baynte tres kan pagka-aga).

Eating …

A table for one person/two people.

Lamisa para sa sarô/duwa katawo.
(lah-MEE-sah PAH-rah sah sah-
RAWʔ/doo-WAH kah-TAH-waw)
Can I look at the menu, please.
Pwede ko tabing máhiling an menu?
(PWEH-deh kaw TAH-bing MAH-hih-ling
an meh-NOO)
Can I look in the kitchen?
Pwede ko tabing máhiling an kusina?
(PWEH-deh kaw TAH-bing MAH-hih-ling
an koo-SEE-nah)
Where is the bathroom?
Hain tabì an banyo? (HAH-ihn TAH-bihʔ
ahn BAHN-yaw)
Saín tabì an banyo? (sah-EEN TAH-bihʔ
an BAHN-yaw)
I'm a vegetarian.
Vegetarian ako. (beh-jeh-TAHR-yahn ah-
KAW)
I don't eat pork.
Daí tabì ako nagkakaon/nagkákakan
nin karneng uríg. (dah-EE TAH-bihʔ ah-
KAW nahg-kah-KAH-awn/nag/KAH-kah-
KAHN nihn KAHR-nehng oo-REEG)
I don't eat beef.
Daí tabì ako nagkakaon/nagkákakan
nin karneng baka. (dah-EE TAH-bihʔ ah-
KAW nahg-kah-KAH-awn/nag-KAH-kah-
KAHN nihn KAHR-nehng BAH-kah)
It's salty.
Maaskadon (mah-ahss-KAH-dawn)
It's so sweet.
Mahamison (mah-hah-MEE-sawn)
It's spicy.
Maharangon (mah-hah-RAH-ngawn)
It's sour.
Maalsumon (mah-ahll-SOO-mawn)
breakfast
pamahawán (pah-mah-hah-WAHN)
lunch
pangudtuhan (pah-ngood-TOO-hahn)
snack
mirindalan (mih-rihn-DAH-lahn)
supper
pamanggihan (pah-mahng-GEE-hahn)
I want ___.
Gusto ko nin ___. (gooss-TOO kaw nihn
___)
I want a dish called ____.
An gusto kong isirà/panirâ, iyo an ____.
(ahn gooss-TOO kawng ih-SEE-
rahʔ/pah-nih-RAHʔ, ih-YAW ahn ___ )
chicken meat
karneng manok (kahr-nehng mah-
NAWCK)
beef
karneng baka (kahr-nehng BAH-kah)
pork
karneng uríg (kahr-nehng oo-REEG)
fish
sirâ (sih-RAHʔ)
food
kakanon (kah-KAH-nawn)
drinks
inumon (ih-NOO-mawn)
eggs;
bunáy. (Bicol-Legazpi) (boo-NIGH)
sugok. (Bicol-Naga) (SOO-gawck)
fresh vegetables
làbas na gulayon (LAHʔ-bahss nah
goo-LAH-yawn)
fresh fruits
làbas na prutas (LAHʔ-bahss nah
PROO-tahss)
restaurant
restawran (rehss-TOW-rahn)
bread
tinapay (tih-NAH-pigh)
cheese
keso (KEH-soh)
cooked rice
malutò (mah-LOO-tawʔ)
raw
hilaw (hih-LOW)
cooked
lutô (loo-TAWʔ)
noodles
pansit (pahn-SEET)
grilled/roasted
dinaráng/linandág/ (dih-nah-
RAHNG/lih-nahn-DAHG)
salt
asín (ah-SEEN)
peanuts
maní (mah-NEE)
sugar
asukar (ah-SOO-kahr)
soy sauce
tawyô (TOW-yawʔ)
onion
sibulyas (sih-BOOLL-yahss)
corn
maís (mah-EESS)
cooking oil
lana (LAH-nah)
chili pepper
ladâ (lah-DAHʔ)
coconut milk.
gutâ. (Bicol-Naga) (goo-TAHʔ)
natók. (Bicol-Legazpi) (nah-TAWCK)
It was delicious.
Masiramon (mah-sih-RAH-mawn)
I'm finished/done.
Tapos na ako magkaon/magkakan.
(tah-PAWSS nah ah-KAW mahg-KAH-
awn/mahg-kah-KAHN)
Colors …

black.
itom (ih-TAWM)
white.
puti (poo-TEEʔ)
bugasì (boo-GAH-sihʔ)
blue.
bughaw (boog-HOW)
sinabilaw (sih-nah-BEE-low)
green.
kinulasisi (kih-noo-lah-SEE-sih)
gadilà (gah-DEE-lahʔ)
gold.
bulawan (boo-LAH-wahn)
orange.
kahel (kah-HEHLL)
 yellow.
giyaw (GEE-yow)
gray.
kulay abo (KOO-ligh ah-BAW)
brown. 
baroron (bah-RAW-rawn)
red.
pulá (poo-LAH)
purple.
gitling (giht-LEENG)
kiling (kih-LEENG)
silver.
pirak. (PEE-rahk)
ebony.
bantulinaw (bahn-too-LEE-now)

Transportation …
Bus …

How much is the ticket to _____?

Mangguràno an tiket pasiring sa _____?
(mahng-goo-RAHʔ-naw ahn TEE-keht
pah-SEE-rihng sah)
One ticket to _____, please.
Saróng tiket tabì pasiring sa _____.
(sah-RAWNG TEE-keht TAH-bihʔ pah-
SEE-rihng sah)
Where does this bus go?
Pasiring tabì saín an bas na ini? (pah-
SEE-rihng sah-EEN TAH-bihʔ ahn bahss
nah ih-NEE)
Does this bus stop in ____?
 Nagpupundó daw an bas na ini sa
_____? (nahg-poo-poon-DOO dow ahn
bahss nah ih-NEE sah___)
When does the bus for ____ leave?
Nuarín tabì málarga an bas na ini
pasíring sa _____? (noo-ah-REEN TAH-
bihʔ MAH-lahr-gah ahn bahss nah ih-
NEE pah-SEE-rihng sah ___)
When will this bus arrive in ____?
Nuarín tabì máabot an bas na ini sa
_____? (noo-ah-REEN TAH-bihʔ MAH-ah-
bawt ahn bahss nah ih-NEE sah ___)

Taxi …

taxi
taksi (TAHCK-sih)
Take me to____, please.
Darhón mo ako sa ____ tabì. (dahr-
HAWN maw ah-KAW sah ___ TAH-bihʔ)
I'm going to ____.
Pasiring ako sa _____. (pah-SEE-rihng
ah-KAW sah ___)
How much does it cost to get to ____.
Mangguràno tabì an pliti pasiring sa
____. (mahng-goo-RAHʔ-naw TAH-bihʔ
ahn PLEE-teh pah-SEE-rihng sah)
How much is the fare?
Mangguràno tabì an pliti? (mahng-goo-
RAHʔ-noh TAH-bihʔ ahn PLEE-teh)
Take me there, please.
Darhón mo tabì ako dumán. (dahr-
HAWN maw TAH-bihʔ ah-KAW doo-
 MAHN)
Jeepney …

Jeepneys are the most popular means of

public transportation in the Philippines.
When you hand your fare over to a driver
or a conductor (the person who usually
keeps hanging on the jeepney rails),
always say your origin, your destination,
and how many you are with.

Stop! (to get off the jeepney).

Para. (PAH-rah)
Para tabì. (polite) (PAH-rah TAH-bihʔ)
How much is the fare to ____?
Mangguràno tabì an pliti pasíring sa
____? (mahng-goo-RAHʔ-naw TAH-bihʔ
an PLEE-teh pah-SEE-rihng sah)
Sir(Driver), where's my change?
Tiyò, hain tabì su ulî ko? (TEE-yawʔ
HAH-ihn TAH-bihʔ soo oo-LEEʔ kaw)
Sir(Driver), you have excess change.
Tiyò, sobra tabì su inulî mo sakô. (TEE-
yawʔ SOO-brah TAH-bihʔ soo ih-noo-
LEEʔ maw sah-KAWʔ)
Can you drop me off at ____.
Mábabâ tabì ako sa ____. (MAH-bah-
bahʔ TAH-bihʔ ah-KAW sah)
Where are you from?
Saín ka tabì halì? (sah-EEN kah TAH-
bihʔ HAH-lihʔ)
Where will you drop off?
 Saín ka mábabâ? (sah-EEN kah MAH-
bah-bahʔ)

Directions …

How do I get to _____ ?

Pàno magpasiring sa _____ (PAHʔ-naw
mahg-pah-SEE-rihng sah ___)
...the train station? 
...an istasyon kan tren (ahn ihss-tahss-
SHAWN kahn trehn)
...the bus station?
an istasyon kan bas (ahn ihss-tahss-
SHAWN kahn bahss)
...the airport?
an palayugan (ahn PAH-lah-YOO-gahn)
...downtown?
pasiring sa banwa (pah-SEE-rihng sah
bahn-WAH)
...the youth hostel?
an hostel kan kaakian (ahn hohss-TELL
kahn kah-ah-KEE-ahn)
...the _____ hotel?
an hotel (ahn haw-TEHLL )
...the
American/Canadian/Australian/British
consulate?
an konsulado kan
Amerika/Australya/Britinya (ahn kawn-
soo-LAH-daw kahn ah-MEH-rih-
kah/owss-TRAHLL-yah/brih-TAHN-yah)
Where are there a lot of...
Sain an igwa nin dakulon na... (sah-
EEN ahn ihg-WAH nihn dah-KOO-lawn
nah...)
...hotels?
mga hotel? (mah-NGAH haw-TELL)
...restaurants?
mga restawran? (mag-NGAH rehs-TOW-
rahn)
...bars?
mga bar? (mah-NGAH bahr)
...sites to see?
mga tànawon? (mah-NGA tahʔ-NAH-
wawn)
Can you show me on the map?
Pwede mo daw tabi sakuya ipahiling
an mapa? (PWEH-deh maw dow TAHʔ-
bih sah-KOO-yahʔ ih-pah-hih-LEENG ahn
MAH-pah)
street
dalan (DAH-lahn)
road
tinampo (tih-NAHM-paw)
avenue
abenyu (AH-behn-yoo)
path
agihán (ah-gih-HAHN)
alley
eskinita (ehss-keh-NEE-tah)
high way
haywi (HIGH-wee)
turn left
tikò sa walá (TEE-kawʔ sah wah-LAH)
turn right
tikò sa tuo (TEE-kawʔ sah TOO-aw)
left
walá (wah-LAH)
right
tuo (TOO-aw)
straight ahead
diritso saná (dih-riht-SAW sah-NAH)
towards the____
pasiring sa ___ (pah-SEE-ring sah ___)
past the ____
makalihis sa ____ (mah-kah-LEE-hihss
sah ___)
before the ____
bago mag-agi sa ____ (BAH-gaw mag-
AH-gih sah)
intersection
pagsuwayan (pahg-soo-WAH-yahn)
north
amihanan (ah-mih-HAH-nahn)
south
habagatán (hah-bah-gah-TAHN)
east
subangan (soo-BAH-ngahn)
sirangan (sih-RAH-ngahn)
west
sulnupan (sooll-NOO-pahn)
uphill
patukad (pah-TOO-kahd)
downhill
palugsót (pah-loog-SAWT)
at the middle of ____
sa tahaw kan ____ (sah TAH-how kahn
___)
in between ____ and _____
sa paghultanan kan ____ budâ ____
(sah pag-hool-TAH-nan kahn ___ boo-
DAHʔ ___
outside ____
sa luwás kan ___ (sah loo-WAHSS kahn
____
inside ____
sa laóg kan ____ (sah lah-AWG kahn ___
under ____
sa irarom kan ____ (sah ih-RAH-rawm
kahn ___)
on top of ____
sa ibabaw kan ____ (sah ih-BAH-bow
kahn ___)
above ___
sa itaas kan ___ (sah ih-TAH-ahss kahn
___)
beside ____
sa kataning/kataid kan ____ (sah kah-
TAH-nihng/kah-TAH-ihd kahn ___)
in front of ____
sa atubangan kan ____ (sah ah-too-
BAH-ngahn kahn ___)
sa tangód kan ____ (sah tah-NGOHD
kahn ___)
sa hampáng kan ____ (sah ham-PAHNG
kahn ___)
behind ____
sa likudán kan ____ (sah lih-koo-DAHN
kahn ___)
here
digdi (dihg-DEE)
there (near from the speaker)
diyan (jahn)
there (far from the speaker)
dumán (doo-MAHN)
right here
yaon digdi (YAH-awn dihg-DEE)
right there (near from the speaker)
yaon diyan (YAH-awn jahn)
right there (far from the speaker)
yaon dumán (YAH-awn doo-MAHN)
over here
huni digdi (HOO-nih dihg-DEE)
over there (near from the speaker)
huyan diyan (HOO-yahn jahn)
over there (far from the speaker)
huto dumán (HOO-taw doo-MAHN)
this
iní (ih-NEE)
that
idto (ihd-TOH)
from ____
halì sa ____ (place) (HAH-lihʔ sah ___)
halì kay ____ (person) (HAH-lihʔ kigh
___)
haling _____ (place) (HAH-ling ___)
at the foot of ____ (a mountain)
sa pamitsán kan ____ (a mountain)
(sah pah-miht-SAHN kahn ___)
Lodging …

Do you have any rooms available?

Igwa tabì kamo nin available na
kwarto? (ihg-WAH TAH-bihʔ kah-
MAWNG KWAHR-taw)
How much is a room for one
person/two people?
Mangguràno tabì an kwarto para sa
saróng/duwáng tawo? (mahng-goo-
RAHʔ-naw ahn KWAHR-taw PAH-rah
sah sah-RAWNG/doo-WAHNG TAH-
waw)
Does the room come with __.
Igwa tabì na ____ an kwarto? (ihg-WAH
TAH-bihʔ nah ___ ahn KWAHR-taw)
bedsheets
cobre kama (KAW-breh KAH-mah)
pillows
ulunan (oo-LOO-nahn)
blankets
tamóng (tah-MAWNG)
bathrooms
banyo (BAHN-yaw)
karigusán (kah-rih-goo-SAHN)
telephone
telepono (teh-leh-PAW-naw)
TV
TV (TEE-bee)
Can I see the room first?
Pwede ko tabing máhiling mùna an
kwarto? (PWEH-deh kaw TAH-bing
MAH-hih-lihng MOOʔ-nah ahn KWAHR-
taw)
Do you have anything quieter? 
Igwa tabì kamo nin mas silinsyo pa?
(ihg-WAH TAH-bihʔ kah-MAW nihn
mahs sih-lihn-SHOO pah)
bigger
mas dakulà (mahs dah-KOO-lahʔ)
cheaper
mas barato (mahs bah-RAH-taw)
cleaner
mas malinig (mahs mah-LEE-nihg)
OK, I'll take it.
Sige, kukuahón ko. (SEE-geh, koo-koo-
ah-HAWN kaw)
I will stay for ____ nights.
Matinir ako digdi nin ___ banggi.(MAH-
tih-nihr ah-KAW dihg-DEE nihn ___
bahng-GEE)
Is breakfast/supper included?
Kabali na daw tabì digdi an
pamahawán/pamanggihan? (kah-BAH-
lih nah dow TAH-bihʔ dihg-DEE an pah-
mah-hah-WAHN/pah-mang-GEE-hahn)
What time is breakfast/lunch/supper?
Anong oras tabì an
pamahaw/pangudto/pamanggi?(ah-
NAWNG AW-rahs TAH-bihʔ ahn pah-
MAH-how/pah-NGOOD-taw/pah-
mahng-GEE)
Please clean my room.
Pakilinigan tabì an sakóng kwarto.
(pah-kih-lih-NEE-gahn TAH-bihʔ ahn
sah-KAWNG KWAHR-taw)
Can you wake me up at ____ (e.g. ten
o'clock)
Pwede mo tabì akong
bànuhon/pukawon pag-______ (e.g.
alas dose) (PWEH-deh maw TAH-bihʔ
ah-KAWNG BAHʔ-noo-hawn/poo-KAH-
wawn pahg-___)
I want to check out.
Gusto ko na mag-check out. (gooss-
TOO kaw nah mahg-chehck-owt)
Who's knocking at the door?
Sisay tabì an nagtutuktok sa pintuan?
(SEE-sigh TAH-bihʔ ahn nahg-too-
 TOOCK-tawck sah peen-TOO-ahn)
Who's there?
Sisay tabì yan? (SEE-sigh TAH-bihʔ
yahn)
The toilet is not working.
Raót an inidoro. (rah-AWT ahn ih-nih-
DAW-raw)

Money …

Do you accept
American/Australian/Canadian
dollars?
Nag-aakò daw kamo nin
American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
(nahg-ah-AH-kawʔ dow kah-MAW nihn
ah-MEH-rih-kahn/owss-TRAHLL-
yahn/KAH-nahd-yahn DAH-lahr)
Do you accept British pounds?
Nag-aakò daw kamo nin British
pounds? (nahg-ah-AH-kawʔ dow kah-
MAW nihn BRIH-tihsh powndss)
Do you accept Euros?
Nag-aakò daw kamo nin Euros? (nahg-
ah-AH-kawʔ dow kah-MAW nihn YOO-
raws)
Do you accept credit cards?
Nag-aako daw kamo nin credit cards?
(nahg-ah-AH-kawʔ dow kah-MAW nihn
KREH-diht kahrd)
Can you change money for me?
Pwede mo daw tabing tukalon ining
kawrta? (PWEH-deh maw dow TAH-
bihng too-KAH-lawn ih-NEENG kwahr-
TAH)
Where can I get money changed?
Sain daw tabi ako pwedeng
magpatukal nin kwarta? (sah-EEN dow
TAH-bihʔ ah-KAW PWEH-dehng mahg-
pah-TOO-kahll nihn KWAHR-tah)
Can you change a traveler's check for
me?
Pwede ka daw tabing magtukal nin
traveler's check para sakuya? (PWEH-
deh kah dow TAH-bihng mahg-TOO-
kahll nihn TRAH-beh-lehrss chehck
PAH-rah sah-KOO-yahʔ)
 Where can I get a traveler's check
changed?
Sain daw tabi ako pwede magpatukal
nin traveler's check? (sah-EEN dow
TAH-bihʔ ah-KAW PWEH-deh mahg-
pah-TOO-kahll nihn TRAH-beh-lehrss
chehck)
What is the exchange rate?
Ano daw tabi su exchange rate? (ah-
NAW dow TAH-bihʔ soo ehkss-CHAYNJ
rayt)
Where is an automatic teller machine
(ATM)?
Hain tabi an ATM? (HAH-ihn TAH-bihʔ
ahn ay-TEE-ehm)

Bars …
Do you have wine/liqueur?
Igwa tabì kamong arak? (ihg-WAH TAH-
bihʔ kah-MAWNG AH-rahck)
One/Two bottle/s of beer, please.
Saróng/Duwáng bote nin beer, tabì.
(sah-RAWNG/doo-WAHNG BAW-teh
nihn beer, TAH-bihʔ)
water
tubig (TOO-bihg)
food
kakanon (kah-KAH-nawn)
coffee
kape (kah-PEH)
milk
gatas (GAH-tahss)
chocolate.
 tsokolate (chaw-kaw-LAH-teh)
Another one, please.
Sarô pa tabì. (sah-RAWʔ pah TAH-bihʔ)
What time do you close?
Anong oras kamo nagsasarado? (ah-
NAWNG AW-rahss kah-MAW nahg-sah-
sah-RAH-daw)

Shopping …

Do you have this in my size?

Igwa tabi kamong kasukol ko? (ihg-
WAH TAH-bihʔ kah-MAWNG kah-SOO-
kawll kaw)
How much is this?
Mangguràno tabi ini? (mahng-goo-
RAHʔ-naw TAH-bih ih-NEE)
That's too expensive.
Mahalon man yan (mah-HAH-lawn
mahn yahn)
Would you take _____?
Pwede mo daw tabing kuahon su ___?
(PWEH-deh maw dow TAH-bihng koo-
ah-HAWN soo ___)
expensive
mahal (mah-HAHLL)
cheap
barato (bah-RAH-taw)
I can't afford it.
Dai ko kayang bakalon idto. (dah-EE
kaw KAH-yahng bah-kah-LAW ihd-TAW)
I don't want it.
Habo ko kaidto. (hah-BAWʔ kaw kah-
ihd-TAW)
You're cheating me.
Pigdadaya mo ako. (pihg-dah-DAH-
yahʔ maw ah-KAW)
I'm not interested.
Bakô ako interesado. (bah-KAWʔ ah-
KAW ihn-teh-reh-SAH-daw)
OK, I'll take it.
Sige, kukuahon ko. (SEE-geh, koo-koo-
ah-HAWN kaw)
Can I have a bag?
Pakitàwan sakuya an bag? (pah-kih-
TAHʔ-wahn sah-KOO-yahʔ ahn bahg)
Do you ship (overseas)?
Nagpapadara kamo sa ibang nasyon?
(nahg-pah-pah-dah-RAH kah-MAW sah
ih-BAHNG nahss-YAWN)
I need...
Kaipuhan ko... (kah-ih-POO-hahn kaw...)
...toothpaste.
tutpeyst (TOOT-payst)
...a toothbrush.
tutbrash (TOOT-brahsh)
...tampons.
mga tampon. (mah-NGAH tahm-PAWN)
...soap.
sabon (sah-BAWN)
...shampoo.
syampu (SHAHM-poo)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or
ibuprofen)
bulong sa kulog (boo-LAWNG sah koo-
LAWG)
...cold medicine.
bulong sa sìpon (boo-LAWNG sah SIHʔ-
pawn)
...stomach medicine.
bulong sa kulog kan tulak ... (boo-
LAWNG sah koo-LAWG kahn too-
LAHCK)
...a razor.
pang-ahit (pahng-AH-hiht)
...an umbrella.
payong (PAH-yawng)
...sunblock lotion.
sanblak (sahn-BLAHCK)
...a postcard.
postkard (pohst-KAHRD)
...postage stamps.
postage stamps (POHSS-tihj
stahmpss)
...batteries.
pila (PEE-lah)
...writing paper.
papel na pwedeng suratan (pah-PEHLL
nah PWEH-dehng soo-RAH-tahn)
...a pen.
bolpen (BAWLL-pehn)
...English-language books.
libro sa tataramon na Ingles (lihb-RAW
sah tah-tah-RAH-mawn nah ihng-
 LEHSS)
...English-language magazines.
magasin sa tataramon na Ingles (MAH-
gah-sihn sah tah-tah-RAH-mawn na
ihng-LEHSS)
...an English-language newspaper.
dyaryo sa tataramon na Ingles (jahr-
YAW sah tah-tah-RAH-mawn nah ihng-
LEHSS)
...an English-English dictionary.
diksyunaryo sa tataramon na Ingles
(dihck-shoo-NAHR-yaw sah tah-tah-
RAH-mawn nah ihng-LEHSS)

Driving …
Most of the road signs in the
Philippines are in English. As Bicol
enjoys no official status in the
Philippines, no street sign is written in
the language. Street signs and even
public notices are written in English.
I want to rent a car.
Gusto kong mag-arkila nin awto.
(gooss-TOO kawng mahg-ahr-kih-LAH
nihn OW-taw)
Can I get insurance?
Pwede daw akong magkuá nin
insyurans? (PWEH-deh dow ah-KAWNG
mahg-koo-AH nihn ihn-SHOO-rhanss)
no parking.
 daí magparada. (dah-EE mahg-pah-
RAH-dah)
gasoline station.
gasolinahan. (gah-soo-LEE-nah-hahn)
gasoline.
gasolina. (gah-soo-LEE-nah)
diesel.
krudo. (KROO-daw)

Authority …

I haven't done anything wrong.

Daí akong náginibong salâ.(dah-EE ah-
KAWNG NAH-gee-nee-bawng SAH-lahʔ)
It was a misunderstanding.
Daí saná kami nagkasinabután.(dah-EE
sah-NAH kah-MEE nag-kah-sih-nah-boo-
TAHN)
Where are you taking me?
Saín mo ako dádarahon? (sah-EEN
maw ah-KAW DAH-dah-rah-hawn)
Am I under arrest?
Dádakupon mo ako? (DAH-dah-koo-
pawn maw ah-KAW)
Where's the warrant?
Hain an warrant? (HAH-ihn ahn WAHR-
rahnt)
I am an
American/Australian/British/Canadian
citizen.
Sarô akong namamanwaan na
Amerikano/Australyano/Briton/Kanady
ano. (sah-RAWʔ ah-KAWNG nah-mah-
mahn-WAH-ahn nah ah-meh-rih-KAH-
naw/awss-trahll-YAH-naw/kah-nahd-
YAH-naw)
I want to talk to the
American/Australian/British/Canadian
embassy/consulate.
Gusto kong makaulay an
embahada/konsulado kan
America/Australya/Britanya/Kanada.
(gooss-TOO kawng mah-kah-OO-ligh
ahn ehm-bah-HAH-dah/kawn-soo-LAH-
daw kahn ah-MEH-rih-kah/awss-
TRAHLL-yah/brih-TAHN-yah/KAH-nah-
dah)
I want to talk to my lawyer.
 Gusto kong makaulay an abogado ko.
(gooss-TOO kawng mah-kah-OO-ligh
ahn ah-boo-GAH-daw kaw)
Can I just pay a fine, now.
Pwede tabì akong magbáyad mùna nin
multa? (PWEH-deh TAH-bihʔ ah-
KAWNG mahg-BAH-yahd nihn MOOLL-
tah)

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