Ready for more? (Gusto mo pa?)
Yes. (Oo.)
Okay...
Today, we will talk about a few basic phrases.
What all visitors to the Philippines will find out, as well as those who gets to speak with any of the millions of Filipinos overseas is that even if you cannot speak aTagalog word, you can get away with basic English phrases and still be able to understand one another. The only issue sometimes is just to figure out the accent. This is the same of any culture. Many times Filipinos would be speaking in English and most times combination Tagalog and English (Taglish) and if you aren't paying attention, you would miss it.
Most first time travellers to the Philippines will be pleasantly surprised that all or all almost all of the street signs, business signs, menus, forms, magazines, newspapers and most everything else are in English. Thus it doesn't take much thinking that at least most of the locals can at least read and understand English, and write and speak it. But as I have said, it might not sound like how you would expect. Of course depending on where you came from, they too might not readily understand your pronunciation and accent.
Tagalog/Taglish Basic Greetings
1. 'Kumain ka na?' (Eat ka na?) Literally this greeting translates to 'Have you eaten yet?' (Also kumain ka na ba).
Most Filipinos are snacking or eating every couple of hours, sometimes every hour or even right after a meal. So a usual greeting or question, you might hear is 'ku-ma-in ka na?'
Response could be Oo, or Opo (formal) for yes. Or Hindi or Hindi po, Hindi pa po (adding po makes it formal or with respect).
2. A follow up would be: 'Kain na' or 'Kain na tayo'. (Let's eat).
This is an invite to eat or come join them to eat. Note, it sometimes would not look good if you turn down this invitation.
Of course, if you aren't sure what is being offered, politely you can ask 'What are we eating?' or 'Ano po ito?' (Literally 'What is this?')
3. 'Saan ka galing?' (Where did you just come from).
Usual answer could be, 'Sa bahay (po)' - From the house.
'Sa mall (po)' - From the mall.
Or 'Sa sine/sinehan (po)' - From the movies/movie house.
[Sine - from Cinema]
Note: 'Saan ka galing', could also mean, 'From which country did you come from?'
4. Also 'Saan ka pupunta?' (Where are you going) or 'Saan kayo pupunta'.
ka - you (singular).
kayo - you (plural).
Note: Always pronounce each syllable separate, 'saan' is not one syllable but two, so it is pronounced as 'sa-an" (short/hard a).
In the same way, 'kain' is pronounced 'ka-in', two syllables.
5. 'Alis ka na?' Literally, 'Are you going?'
'Alis kayo' or 'Alis na kayo?' - Plural. Responses are:
"Opo' - Yes.
Or 'Hindi pa po" - Not yet.
Boodle Fight - Kain na?
Inspired by the military style of eating. This is a kind of feast that is meant for sharing, and grabbing the food, ususlly served and spread on banana leaves on top of a long table. Meant to be grabbed and eaten using your fingers.
Image Credit Noel Jacinto /Star Roxas, filipinojournal.com
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