Language

Most Filipinos are unsure how many languages and dialects there are in the Philippines, although best estimates put the number at 171, with 168 living and three extinct. The Tagalog language is spoken by 46 percent of the population and was made the national language by the government in 1947 as well as the medium of communication in schools, businesses and government. English is widely spoken, with most Filipinos moving seamlessly between English and Tagalog, often in the space of the same sentence. Many English words have been cleverly adopted by Filipinos, giving rise to a small canon of slang patois known affectionately as Taglish. Why ask someone to take a photograph when you can ask them to do some "kodaking"?

Hello	Kamusta (There's no word for hello in Filipino. People usually use Kamusta, which means "how are you?")
How are you?	Kamusta ka or kamusta?
Fine, thanks	Mabuti. Salamat.
Pleased to meet you	Ikinalulugod kitang makilala (formal)
	Masaya akong makilala ka (colloquial)
Goodbye	Bye
Good Evening	Magandang gabi
Excuse me (to say sorry)	Ipagpaumanhin mo ako
Excuse me (to get past)	Makikiraan lang po
Please	No direct equivalent. Instead use the word paki before a verb. For example, upo means sit, so "please sit" is paki-upo
Thank you	Salamat
What's your name?	Anong pangalan mo?
My name is …	Ang pangalan ko ay …
Do you speak English?	Marunong ka bang mag-Ingles?
I don't understand	Hindi ko naiintindihan
Could you repeat that?	Paki-ulit