Kids

Filipino Words and Phrases We Need to Teach Our Kids

by Kevyn Gohu
August 18, 2023

Here are some Filipino words we need to make sure our kids remember!

Although many of us can read, write, and speak in English, we still admit that some Filipino words hit differently. Especially when there is no direct translation of English to Filipino — such as “gigil” or “kilig — there are words that can trigger deeper and more heartwarming emotions. So, here are some Filipino words we need to make sure our kids remember.

Filipino Words and Phrases We Need to Teach Our Kids

1. “Paki” (Please)

Unlike “Please” in English, paki functions more like a prefix to a verb. Like when we ask our household help, “Paki kuha yung tray dito sa taas.” (Please get the tray here upstairs). In Filipino culture, we don’t like commanding others so, we phrase things as a request. Paki adds a bit of dignity to whoever we’re requesting from, especially when there’s only one household help who’s managing the house and they’ve been with you for a while. Kids need to learn how to treat them kindly, too, especially when they hate doing the chores themselves!

2. “Salamat!” (Thank you!)

Although saying “thanks” is also acceptable, we feel that “salamat” has a more heartwarming and personal origin to it. The word is Arabic in nature and Filipinos adopted the word “salamat” which is the plural form of the feminine word “salamah.” The word in Arabic also offers peace and blessings. So when we remind our kids to say “salamat” to thank others, we also teach them that it is also a gesture of peace and blessings.

3. “Kumusta!” (How are you?)

“Kumusta” is the favorite greeting of many Filipinos when they haven’t seen each other in a long time. It’s a greeting that makes the recipient feel like people missed them and are concerned about them. The interesting part about this warm greeting is that Filipinos adapted it from their Spanish colonizers, deriving it from their way of greeting — “Como estas?“

4. “Po/Opo/Hindi Po” (Yes/No)

Po works as a stand-alone like a question, “Po?” (“Yes?”) or as a confirmation, “Opo.” (“Yes.”) This is the formal and polite way of saying “yes,” with “Oo” being more casual. We may have also heard the “Oho” or “Ho” variant, which is what some people use to affirm their superiors or their elders. While there’s nothing wrong with using “Yes,” “opo” and “po” hit differently for those who grew up in Tagalog. It sends a wave of nostalgia and joy that there are some who still respect the old ways.

5. “Pakiraan po” (Excuse me)

Combining the Filipino word for please (paki) and way (daan) creates the word pakiraan which translates into “excuse me.” Especially in crowded places like bazaars, markets, or in most places in the metro, the kids will probably be using this word more often to ask people to let them through.

6. “Pasensya na po” (I’m sorry/ Forgive me)

The Filipino word for “sorry” is longer than its English counterpart but has additional meaning. When we say “pasensya na po,” there is also a small hidden request for some patience. Pasensya, as a stand-alone word, means “patience.” By saying “pasensya na po” or “pasensya na lang po,” it translates more as “I’m sorry, please be patient with me.” Best the kids learn this phrase so things don’t escalate. Plus, using it a lot at home also teaches them to not be afraid to fail.

7. Kailan (When), Paano (How), Sino (Who), Saan (Where)

When kids need to get around, many of the public transport drivers have Filipino as their primary language. Knowing how to ask questions in Filipino will save them a lot of time getting lost. Although Google and Waze help, the internet won’t always be available. Best to let them know the Filipino words for questions to make sure they stay street smart.

8. Cardinal numbers in Filipino-Spanish

The running gag is that the Filipino kids of today don’t understand how much certain things are because they’re not familiar with the words for the Spanish-derived Filipino numbers. Many of the public markets and drivers still use these numbers. So, it’s good for them to know so they don’t just stare at the merchant while trying to process what they said.

9. Mahal kita (“I love you.”)

We always say “Mahal kita” in a more romantic context but, we can also say it to our children. Although the sweet Filipino words translate loosely as “I love you,” directly, it’s translated as “You are loved by me.” It creates that warm and wholesome feeling in the person we say it to, also somewhat telling them that in a world where people constantly judge them, there is one person who loves them, for who they are.

These common Filipino words are the source of the Philippine culture’s beauty.

Although the Philippine language gained a bad reputation because of temperamental online Pinoy gamers, there is beauty hidden underneath as Filipino words also offer various heartwarming emotions to the receiver. Some other cultures even find Tagalog or the Filipino language sexy! But there’s one thing we need to remember. Speaking and teaching our kids these simple phrases lets us dive deep into the root of our culture, experiencing the hospitality, compassion, and warmth that fueled the average Filipino household.