If you are ever going to visit or live in the Philippines, it is a good idea to learn how to properly greet someone there. In general, the Philippines is a welcoming and friendly country, and many of its citizens understand English. However, you will build respect and friendship with the locals by learning Filipino or Tagalog (the language from which the Filipino language is spoken). If you want to greet someone in the Philippines as fluently as the locals, there are several polite and friendly ways to learn.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Learning the Basics
Step 1. Remember that almost all words in Tagalog or Filipino are phonetic
That is, the sound of the word according to the writing. Try to pronounce the word as it is written and chances are that it is almost correct.
- Vowels are pronounced louder than American English, but smoother than British English. In addition, the lips are not rounded when pronouncing vowels (unrounded), except for the letter /o/.
- However, there are some exceptions: ng pronounced as nang dan mga pronounced as "mmaNGA". The letter '-ng', which is a single letter, is pronounced as in the word bena ng or tena ng.
Step 2. Learn the language before visiting the Philippines
You can learn Filipino or Tagalog by reading books, watching television, listening to music, or watching videos. As with any language, the best way to learn a new language is to practice with other people who are fluent in it.
If you don't have much time, focus on learning common greetings that will be used frequently. Don't learn all the grammar and structure of the language if you're leaving anytime soon
Step 3. Learn how to say good morning, afternoon, and evening
There is no direct translation for this phrase. Instead, Filipinos greet each other by saying “beautiful” before the words morning, afternoon, and evening.
- Say good morning by saying, " Magandang umaga " (ma-gen-dang u-ma-ga), which means beautiful morning.
- Say good afternoon by saying, " Magandang hapon " (ma-gen-dang ha-pun), which means a beautiful day.
- Say good night by saying, " Magandang gabi " (ma-gen-dang ga-bi), which means a beautiful night.
Step 4. Try using English if you fail to speak Filipino
Filipinos are usually also able to speak English. In fact, 96.3% of Filipinos consider English a second language and are able to speak it fluently. So, you can try saying " Hi ", " Hello ", " Good Morning ", etc. The person you are addressing will probably understand what you are saying.
- If you're stuck and don't know what to say, just say it in English. It's better to try to speak English than to be silent.
- However, if you want to impress the person you're talking to, learn Filipino to prepare yourself!
Step 5. Greet your friends
If you want to impress your friends, say " Kumusta ' kayó " when you approach them. The sentence means "How are you?"
The pronunciation is /ku - mu:s - ta: ka: - yo:/
Step 6. Adjust your speech when talking to older people
If you're talking to a higher-ranking person, always add po at the end of the sentence. For example, " Salamat po " which means "thank you".
Besides, say what? to say "Yes". This word is the same as saying "Yes, sir" or "Yes, ma'am".
Method 2 of 2: Interacting with New People
Step 1. Greet with a handshake
In Filipino culture, one should shake the hand of the first person one meets. Do a light handshake that isn't too loud.
- Filipinos rarely greet with a kiss on the cheek or a hug. The two greetings are usually made by two people who are already closely related.
- If you are in a Muslim area of the Philippines, there are rules for touching each other, especially for women and men. A handshake may still be possible, but it has to be started by men. Pay attention to the people around you and follow their behavior.
Step 2. Consider using the greeting "mano" (also known as salim or kissing hand in Indonesia) to older people
Older Filipinos are usually greeted by holding their right hand and touching it to your forehead. In the Filipino language this greeting is called "mano". This is important, especially with family members and people who are much older.
- If an older person puts their hand in front of them with their palms facing down, they are expecting a "mano" greeting.
- This greeting relates to respect for elders, and their blessing to you when they touch your forehead.
Step 3. Try to keep the conversation light and friendly
Like most people, Filipinos don't discuss politics or serious topics with foreigners. Instead, your conversations should be about fun things: family, food, or hobbies. Thus, the process of getting acquainted can be more enjoyable.
