Beginner's Guide To Common Filipino Slang & Taglish Phrases
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If you’ve ever listened to Filipinos talk, you’ve probably noticed that we love mixing English and Tagalog words in the same sentence. This is called “Taglish,” and it’s a huge part of our everyday conversations.
Along with our unique slang, Taglish makes our language colorful and fun. Learning a few of these words and phrases will not only help you understand us better but will also make you sound way more natural when you speak.
So, are you ready to level up your Filipino?
Let’s look at some of the most common slang and Taglish phrases you’ll hear in the Philippines.
Table of Contents:
What is Taglish, exactly?
Taglish is simply the combination of Tagalog and English. It’s not a separate language but a way of speaking called “code-switching,” where we mix words from both languages in one conversation, or even in a single sentence.
There are two common ways you’ll see this happen:
1. Adding Filipino affixes to English words.
We often take an English verb and turn it into a Filipino verb by adding prefixes like mag-, nag-, or i-.
Mag-cha-charge ako ng phone.
Na-print mo na ba ‘yung document?
2. Dropping English words into a Filipino sentence.
This is super common. We often use an English noun, adjective, or verb if it’s easier or more common to say.
Grabe, ang traffic ngayon!
Punta tayo sa mall mamaya.
Don’t worry about memorizing rules for this! The best way to learn is by listening to how Filipinos naturally speak.
Common Filipino slang words you should know
Slang is always changing, but some words have become so popular they’re now part of everyday language. Here are a few you’ll hear all the time. Many of these are created by reversing the syllables of a Tagalog word.
| Slang Word | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Lodi | Idol. Used to praise someone you admire. | Reverse of “Idol” |
| Petmalu | Amazing, cool, incredible. | Reverse of “Malupet” (Fierce/Cool) |
| Werpa | Power! A cheer or a word of encouragement. | Reverse of “Pawer” (Power) |
| Bes / Beshie | Short for best friend, but used for any friend. | From “Best friend” |
| Jowa | Boyfriend or girlfriend. | Origin is uncertain, but widely used. |
| Epal | An attention-seeker or someone who butts into conversations. | From “Pumapapel” (Acting out a role) |
| Chibog | Food, or time to eat. | From Chinese Hokkien “Chiapeng” (Eat rice) |
Here’s how you might use them:
Ang galing mo, lodi!
Chibugan na! Andito na ang pagkain.
Popular Taglish phrases for everyday use
These phrases are the heart and soul of casual Filipino conversation. Using them will definitely make you sound like a local.
Ano ba ‘yan?
This literally means “What is that?” but it’s used to express mild frustration, disappointment, or annoyance. Think of it as the Filipino version of “What the heck?” or “Oh, come on!”
Ano ba ‘yan, naubusan na naman tayo ng kanin?
Push mo ‘yan!
This is a fun, encouraging phrase that means “Go for it!” or “You can do it!“. You say this to a friend who is determined to do something, whether you agree with it or not.
Sasali ka sa singing contest? Sige, push mo ‘yan!
Nosebleed
This is a funny one! Filipinos say “nosebleed” when they are having a hard time speaking or understanding English, especially if someone is speaking it very fluently or using bigwords. It’s a humorous way of saying “My brain hurts from all this English!”
Teka, dahan-dahan lang. Nag-no-nosebleed na ako sa English mo.
Charot! / Chos!
This is the Filipino equivalent of “Just kidding!” or “JK!“. You say it after a sentence that isn’t true or is meant as a joke to show you’re not being serious.
Ililibre ko kayong lahat ng lunch… charot!
Keri lang
”Keri” comes from the English word “carry,” and this phrase means “I can handle it,” “It’s manageable,” or simply “It’s okay.”
Kaya mo ba ‘yang trabaho?
Oo, keri lang.
A quick note on regional differences
While most of the slang and Taglish we’ve covered is widely understood, especially in Manila and online, remember that the Philippines has over 100 languages!
Slang can change depending on where you are. For example, in Cebu where they speak Cebuano, you’ll hear the word bai used for “friend,” which is different from the Tagalog slang tropa or bes.
The slang in this guide is a fantastic starting point for general conversation, but always keep your ears open for local variations when you travel!
Final thoughts
Don’t be afraid to try using these words and phrases! Filipinos are generally very friendly and will be happy, and maybe even impressed, to hear you using our casual language.
The best way to get comfortable with slang and Taglish is to listen to how native speakers talk. Watch Filipino movies, listen to OPM (Original Pilipino Music), and check out Filipino vloggers on YouTube. You’ll pick up on the rhythm and context in no time.
