Compliments and Pick up Lines in Tagalog

Language Lessons and Phrases you should know when traveling to the Philippines

Philippine Flag The beautiful islands of The Philippine's include over 7000 islands, with only 4000 of which are inhabited. They hold one very friendly population. You will find Philippino's working all over the world. I met many Philippinos while I was working onboard cruise ships. They are sea faring people, who work hard so they can provide for their families back home on the other side of the world.

Tagalog pronunciation is fairly straight forward, with all of the letters making pretty much the same sound. For example, the letter "a" sounds like "ah", "i" sounds like "ee", "o" sounds like "oh", and "u" makes an "oo" or an "ou" sound, as you hear in the word "you".

You will also find their accent makes them sometimes pronounce the English letter "F" like the letter "P". So one way to make your speech sound more fluent might be to do the same. For example they use the word "boyfriend", it might actually sound like "boy-priend".

And of course, I have to remind you that because of The Philippine's having so many islands, they also have dozens of different dialects. While I have tried to include the most basic or generic speech from Manila, someone from the Island of Cebu might not get what you are saying, so be prepared for that.

In my experience they are very friendly people and when they find that you speak some Tagalog they are often surprised and want to talk to you. So give it a shot and introduce yourself to some wonderful Philippino's.

Before we get started, do yourself a favor and get the most up to date Lonely Planet Guide to the Philippines. As well, if you really want a proper resource for Tagalog Pickup Lines, then buy Making Out in Tagalog. This book is cheap and great help for travelers looking to meet people from the Philippines.

English	Tagalog	Phonetic
How are you?	Kamu sta ka?	Ka-moo staa ka
Good	Mabutay	Mah-boo-tay
You are beautiful	Maganda ka	ma-gon-da ka
Thank you	Salamat	Sah-lah-maht
At this point, they usually ask how you know so much Tagalog, to which you will reply "I learned it from Travel Droppings.com. Or you say this...
I am smart	Magaling ako	Mah-gah-leeng ah-ko
Now move on to the next step: Compliments
You have beautiful hair	Maganda ang buhok mo	Ma-gon-da ka boo-hoak mo
You have a beautiful smile	Maganda ang ngiti mo	Ma-gon-da ka n-gee-tee mo
You have beautiful eyes	Maganda ang mata mo	Ma-gon-da aang mah-tah mo
Just to cover all of our bases
You have beautiful hairy armpits	Maganda ang buhok mo sa kili kili	Ma-gon-da aang boo-hoak mo sa kee-lee kee-lee
This is actually very funny, so pronounce it with a slight pause after "Buhok mo...", wait a second then say "...sa kili kili!" Guarranteed to get a laugh
Do you have a boyfriend/grilfriend?	May boyfriend ka na ba? May girlfriend ka na ba?	Ma-ee boyfriend ka na ba? "boy-prend" "girl-prend"
Where is your sweetie?	Nasaan ang syota mo?	Nah-sa-ahn see-yota mo?
Make a date and let them know you're serious
Let's watch a movie	Manuod tayo ng sine	Ma-nu-ode tie-o nang see-nay
I want to cook for you	Gusto mong ipagluto kita	Goo-sto mo-ng ee-pa-gloo-toe-kee-ta
Let's eat dinner	Kain tayo ng hapunan	Kah-een tie-oh nang hah-poon-ahn
I'm not kidding	Hindi nag bibiro	Heen-dee nog bee-bee-ro
From this point on it is every man and woman for themself
I want to hug and kiss you	Gusto kitang yakapin at halikan	Goo-sto kee-tang ya-ka-peen aht ha-li-kahn
I want your kisses	Gusto ko ang iyong mga halik	goo-sto ko ang ee-yong mga hah-leek
I want to kiss you	Gusto kong halikan	goo-sto ko ha-lee-kon
I am dieing for your love	Ako ay sabik sayong pag mamahal	Aa-ko ah-ee saa-beek s-eye-yong paag ma-ma-hahl

This Tagalog translation guide has been brought to you by my good friends onboard the many ships I have worked on. To Jose, my old roommate and Jefferson, my co-worker, "Salamat!". As well, if you really want a proper resource for Tagalog Pickup Lines, then buy Making Out in Tagalog. This book is cheap and great help for travelers looking to meet people from the Philippines.

If you are going to the Philippines do yourself a favor and get the most up to date Lonely Planet Guide to the Philippines

There are a few things I have left out, specifically words like Tae(tah-ay) and Utot(oo-toat). If you would like to contact us about our phrases or about any other language lessons Tweet us or contact us the old fashioned way and send an email.

Get more out of Travel Droppings...

Work and Travel

Travel Advice

Explore the World