Like for any language, to truly speak Tagalog fluently and empathize the people of the Philippines, you need to learn the everyday Filipino expressions. Tagalog is constantly changing — there are Filipino idioms that appointment dorsum to our grandparents' era, expressions influenced by the Spanish and American colonization, as well equally popular culture-referenced street slang. To get you started on your Tagalog learning experience, here are ten Filipino expressions that volition not only help you blend in with the locals in this Southeast Asian nation, they'll too requite yous some serious street cred.

1. Anak ng ___!

Pregnant: Son of a ___!

Usage: A Filipino expression to convey badgerer. Just fill in the bare with any Tagalog noun, but the most common ones used past Filipinos are kamote (sugariness tater), pating (shark), tokwa (tofu), teteng (no direct translation) and tinapa (smoked fish). Information technology's similar to the manner Americans use the expression, "Son of a gun!"

Instance: Anak ng tokwa! Natalo na naman ako. (Son of a tofu! I lost over again.)

2. Diba?

Meaning: "Right?" or "Isn't it?"

Usage: One of the easiest Tagalog expressions to learn, diba may be placed at the start or terminate of your question, and you lot may sprinkle your English sentences with diba, making information technology sound like you know Taglish (Tagalog-English).

Instance:
In Tagalog: Taga dito ka, diba? (You're from here, right?")
In Taglish: The food tastes groovy, diba? Diba, you're from Manila?

3. Susmaryosep

Meaning: A wrinkle of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Usage: Every bit an interjection, especially when yous're angry, frustrated, or in disbelief. Y'all may also use the shorter versions, "Sus!" and "Maryosep!"

Case: Niloko na naman siya ng asawa niya? Susmaryosep! (Her married man cheated on her once more? Susmaryosep!)

four. Hay nako!

Meaning: Hay niko is "sigh," but hay naku has no direct translation. Some linguists say it comes from the phrase "Nanay ko po!" which means "Oh my mother!"

Usage: Hay nako is best used to limited frustration or exasperation in the likes of "Oh my," "Oh my gosh," "Oh dear," or "Uh oh!". Information technology's also the title of a tricky Filipino vocal we encourage you to listen to if you desire to learn how to pronounce this Tagalog expression properly.

Example: Your friend says, "My cellphone was stolen this morning time." Your respond: "Hay naku!"

5. Ano ba?

Significant: Ano means "what," while ba is an untranslatable word that Filipinos like to pepper their conversations with. "Ano ba?" is like to the American expression, "What the?!"

Usage: When said calmly as a question, "Ano ba?" just ways "What?" but when you say information technology every bit an interjection, it means yous are annoyed, insulted, or frustrated at the person you're talking to. For maximum event, pronounce it this fashion: a-noo-bah! Other versions are: "Ano ba yan!" which literally translates to "What is that," but has the same consequence equally hay naku; and "Ano ka ba?" which means, "What are yous?"

Example: Your friend calls you stupid. You answer with: "Ano ba!"

6. Sayang!

Meaning: Every bit a noun, it means, "waste," but it can too be used equally the verb "to waste product."

Usage: As a Filipino expression, it translates to, "What a waste!" because you lot're frustrated over something that was lost or nearly achieved.

Instance: Nabuhos ko yung tasa ng kape. Sayang! (I spilled my cup of java. What a waste!)

vii. Ganon?

Meaning: A shortcut of the Tagalog word ganoon (pronounced ga-no-on), ganon means, "like that."

Usage: Proverb "Ganon?" with an intonation of disbelief can mean, "Oh actually?" or "Is that so?" A less sarcastic version is "Talaga?" To advance to a higher level of slang, effort "May ganon?"

Example:
1. Your ex-swain says, "Huwag na tayong mag-usap." (Let'due south not talk anymore.) Your reaction: "Ganon?"
2. Someone gives y'all a compliment. You reply with, "Talaga?"

8. Anyare?

Meaning: Curt for "Anong nangyari?" which means, "What happened?"

Usage: A somewhat recent Filipino slang, anyare is a rhetorical and cooler way of asking, "What happened?"

Example: Yous finally arrive at the bar, only to notice your friends already dead drunkard. "Anyare?!"

ix. Ansabe?

Meaning: Short for "Anong sinabi?" which means, "What did he/she say?"

Usage: "Ansabe?" is a rhetorical way of asking what the person just said.

Example: Your commonly contemptuous friend of a sudden waxes poetic about a girl he's in love with. Y'all react with, "Ansabe?"

10. Bahala na!

Meaning: Bahala means "care" or "responsibility," while na means "already."

Usage: When someone uses the Filippino expression "Bahala na!" information technology means he/she is entrusting the dubiety of the situation to a higher being, to nature, or fate. If you'd like to advance your level of street Tagalog slang, include Batman (aye, the superhero) in the sentence, i.e. "Bahala na si Batman!" Translation: "Let Batman decide (or have charge)!" We cannot pinpoint exactly when in history Batman came into the motion picture, only this expression has been around for years.

Example:
1. You're eating Filipino street nutrient for the first time and you're not sure if your sensitive stomach can handle information technology. You lot say, "Bahala na!"
2. two. Your deadline is in an hour, but you lot oasis't even started with the project yet. Your officemate asks you if you tin handle it. You answer with, "Bahala na si Batman!"

A version of this article well-nigh filipino expressions was previously published on April 2, 2015, and was updated on February 18, 2021, with more data.

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