Making Out in Tagalog. Renato Perdon

according to someone.)

      BORROWINGS AND NEW DIALECTS

      Although Tagalog is influenced by Sanskrit, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, and English, the majority of the loanwords come from Spanish and English. Because of this, there is a tendency among Filipinos, particularly in Manila, to speak in the slang language commonly known as Taglish (Tagalog + English) or Engalog (English + Tagalog). Aside from this slang language, some other sociolect languages have also evolved such as Conyo (language of rich kids) or gay or swardspeak/bekinese (language of gay people).

      1 What’s Up?

      Hi!/Hello!

      Kumusta?

      How are you?

      Kumusta ka?

      NOTE: There is no direct translation for Hello; instead we use Kumusta for greetings derived from Spanish ‘Como esta?’

      I’m fine.

      Mabuti naman ako.

      Ayos lang ako.

      Okay, I guess. So-so/All right.

      Okey lang, sa palagay ko.

      How’s life?

      Kumusta ang buhay?

      Life is hard.

      Mahirap ang buhay.

      Getting by (surviving)

      Nakakaraos naman.

      How have you been?

      Kumusta ka na?

      What’s new?

      Anong bago?*

      What’s up?

      Anong meron?*

      What’s the news?

      Anong balita?*

      *Instead of Kumusta?, Filipinos tend to use these other expressions to ask “How are you?”

      I’m a bit busy!

      Medyo bisi ako!

      I’m a bit busy at work!

      Medyo bisi ako sa trabaho.

      I’m really busy at school!

      Bising-bisi ako sa eskuwela.

      Nothing much.

      Wala masyado.

      I’m pretty busy.

      Bising-bisi ako.

      I’m doing lots of stuff.

      Marami akong ginagawa.

      I’m tired.

      Pagod ako.

      I’m very tired.

      Pagod na pagod ako.*

      To express the word “very” such as “very tired,” just repeat the word “Pagod na pagod ako.”

      I don’t feel well.

      Masama ang pakiramdam ko.

      I feel sick.

      Pakiramdam ko, may sakit ako.

      I think I have a fever.

      Sa palagay ko,* may lagnat ako.

      I think I am coming down with a flu.

      Sa palagay ko,* magkakatrangkaso ako.

      * The phrase Sa palagay ko, can be used as a qualifier when expressing one’s own thoughts, opinions or feelings.

      Long time no see!/We haven’t seen each other for a long time!

      Ang tagal na nating hindi nagkita!

      What have you been doing?

      Ano na ang ginagawa mo?

      Have you been here for a long time?

      Matagal ka na ba rito?

      Yes, I live here now.

      Oo, dito na ako nakatira ngayon.

      Where do you live?

      Saan ka nakatira?

      I live in Manila by the University Belt.

      Nakatira ako sa Maynila sa may University Belt.

      I haven’t seen you for a while.

      Matagal na kitang hindi nakikita.

      Yes, it’s been a long time.

      Oo, matagal na nga.

      What are you doing here?

      Ano ang ginagawa mo rito?

      I’m working at UP.

      Nagtatrabaho ako sa UP.

      I’m a student at Ateneo.

      Estudyante ako sa Ateneo.

      By the way, how’s work?

      Siyanga pala, kumusta ang trabaho?

      By the way, how’s school?

      Siyanga pala, kumusta ang eskuwela?

      Work is alright.

      Okey lang ang trabaho.

      School is difficult.

      Mahirap ang eskuwela.

      How’s Peter/Mary doing?

      Kumusta si Peter? si Mary?

      He’s/She’s fine.

      Mabuti naman siya.*

      The word siya refers to both “he” and “she”. There is only one pronoun to refer to both “he” and “she”.

      Any news about Peter/Mary?