Bikol (Bicol), pronounced as BEE-kawll, is the main local language of the Bicol Region in southeastern Luzon, Philippines. It is strongly influenced by Spanish.

Belonging to the Austronesian family of languages, it is closely related to all the other languages in the Philippines like the larger Ilocano, Tagalog and Cebuano and more distantly to the various languages of the Pacific islands.

Malay, the main language of the Malaysia, is also closely related to Bikol, and while the two languages are not mutually intelligible, you will notice many cognates. There are also numerous false friends between Bikol and Malay, such as Malay pagi (morning) vs Bikol pagi (sting ray) and Bikol ayam (dog) vs Malay ayam (chicken).

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 language 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.

Unaccented Bikol vowels

a

near-open central unrounded vowel IPA [ɐ]; like the u in cut

e

open-mid front unrounded vowel IPA [ɛ]; like the e in bed

i

near-close front unrounded vowel IPA [ɪ]; like the i in sit

o

close-mid back rounded vowel IPA [o]; like the au in author

u

near-close back rounded vowel IPA [ʊ]; like the oo in foot

Accented Bikol vowels

a

open central unrounded vowel IPA [a]; like the a in far

e

close-mid front unrounded vowel IPA [e]; like the a in hand

i

close front unrounded vowel IPA [i]; like the ee in see

o

open-mid back rounded vowel IPA [ɔ]; like the o in off

u

close back rounded vowel IPA [u]; like the oo in soon

Consonants

b

as in bee

k

as in key

d

as in dough

g

as in gold

h

as in heat

l

as in let

m

as in me

n

as in nice

ng

as in song

p

as in pea

r

as in raw

s

as in sea

t

as in tea

w

as in weak

y

as in you

Some consonants are borrowed from Spanish and English and are used in writing names of places and personal names.

c

like c in scare (before a, o, u)

like c in pencil (before e or i)

f

like f in fine

j

like h in ham

ll

although not a letter in the Philippines but of Spanish influence, pronounced as ly

ñ

like ny in canyon

q

like q in quest (always with a silent u)

v

pronounced the same way as b (see above) like b in elbow.

x

like x in flexible

like ss in hiss (at beginning of a word)

like h as in he in the family name Roxas

z

like s in supper

Digraphs

Some digraphs appear in Spanish loan words.

dy

as in just

ts

as in chew

sy

as in shoe

ny

as in canyon

ly

as in million

Common diphthongs

In the spelling of many places and personal names, ao is used and is pronounced as in how just like the Spanish way of spelling.

aw

as in how

iw

as in kiwi

ay

as in high

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)

Note

In the pseudo-pronunciations below, glottal stop is shown as the same as the IPA symbol (ʔ) for glottal stop, usually found in any syllable (initial, middle or final).

Phrase list

See Wikivoyage: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 Bikol well.

Daí ako tataó mágtaram nin ??????. ( )

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)

I'll call the police.

Maapod ako nin pulis. (Mah-ah-pawd ah-KAW nihn poo-LEESS)

Police!

Pulis! (poo-LEESS)

Stop! Thief!

Pundo! Parahàbon! (poon-DAW pah-rah-HAHʔ-bawn)

I need your help.

Kaipuhan ko an tabang mo. (kah-ih-POO-hahn kaw ahn TAH-bahng 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 lost my bag.

Náwarâ si sakuyang bag. (NAH-wah-rahʔ see sah-KOO-yahng bahg)

I lost my wallet.

Náwarâ si sakuyang pitaka. (NAH-wah-rahʔ see sah-KOO-yahng pee-TAH-kah)

I'm sick.

May hilang ako. (migh HEE-lahng ah-KAW)

I need a doctor.

Kaipuhan ko nin doktor. (kah-ee-POO-hahn kaw nihn dawck-TAWR)

Can I use your phone?

Pwede ko daw tabing gamiton an saimong selpon? (PWEH-deh kaw dow TAH-bihng gah-MEE-tawn ahn sah-EE-mawng SEHLL-pawn?)

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-TAWSS)

300

tulóng gatós (too-LAWNG gah-TAWSS)

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 (ih-NEH-raw)

February

Pebrero (pihb-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 (siht-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-lihng ahn meh-NOO?)

Can I look in the kitchen?

Pwede ko tabing máhiling an kusina? (PWEH-deh kaw TAH-bihng MAH-hih-lihng ahn 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)

sausage

longganisa (lawng-gah-NEE-sah)

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-rahck)

ebony.

bantulinaw (bahn-too-LEE-now)

Transportation

Bus and train

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 train/bus go?

Pasiring tabì saín an tren/booss na ini? (pah-SEE-rihng sah-EEN TAH-bihʔ ahn trehn/booss nah ih-NEE?)

Does this train/bus stop in ____?

Nagpupundó daw an tren/bus na ini sa _____? (nahg-poo-poon-DOO dow ahn trehn/booss nah ih-NEE sah___?)

When does the train/bus for ____ leave?

Nuarín tabì málarga an tren/bus na ini pasíring sa _____? (noo-ah-REEN TAH-bihʔ MAH-lahr-gah ahn trehn/booss nah ih-NEE pah-SEE-rihng sah ___?)

When will this train/bus arrive in ____?

Nuarín tabì máabot an tren/bus na ini sa _____? (noo-ah-REEN TAH-bihʔ MAH-ah-bawt ahn trehn/booss 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)

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)

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? (mah-NGAH rehss-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

tinampo (tih-NAHM-paw)

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)

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 kaini? (ihg-WAH TAH-bihʔ kah-MAW nihn mahss sih-lihn-SHOO pah kah-ee-NEE?)

bigger

mas dakulà (mahss dah-KOO-lahʔ)

cheaper

mas barato (mahss bah-RAH-taw)

cleaner

mas malinig (mahss 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-rahss 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)

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-veh-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 serve alcohol?

Igwa tabì kamong arak? (ihg-WAH TAH-beeʔ kah-MAWNG AH-rahck?)

A beer/two beers, please.

Saróng/Duwáng bote nin beer, tabì. (sah-RAWNG/doo-WAHNG BAW-teh nihn beer, TAH-bihʔ)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

Sarong baso nin red/white wine, tabi. (sah-RAWNG BAH-saw nihn rehd/wight wighn, TAH-beeʔ)

whiskey

wiski (WEESS-kee)

vodka

bodka (BAWD-kah)

rum

ram (RAHM)

water

tubig (TOO-bihg)

One more, 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?)

Cheers!

Kampay! (kahm-PIGH)

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)

gas (petrol) station.

gasolinahan. (gah-soo-LEE-nah-hahn)

petrol.

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-gih-nih-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/Kanadyano. (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?)