Phrasebook
Did everything go smoothly?
HAHP-sigh rah bah ahng DAH-gahn sah TAH-nahn (approximately)
hapsay ra ba = did it proceed smoothly or without problems
ang dagan = the course or progress
sa tanan = of everything
A question used to confirm whether an activity, event, or situation proceeded calmly and without major complications.
Did you get very tired?
gee-kah-POY bah kah-AH-yoh kah
gikapoy = got tired / became tired
ba = question particle
kaayo = very / a lot
ka = you
A caring question used to ask whether an activity or the day left someone very tired.
Do you like keeping everything organized?
gah-NAH-hahn bah kah ngah ohr-gah-nee-SAH-doh ahng TAH-nahn (approximately)
ganahan ba ka = do you like
nga = that
organisado = organized
ang tanan = everything
A casual question used to ask whether someone prefers to keep their belongings, spaces, tasks, or plans in order.
What TV series do you like?
OON-sahng mah-NGAH SEHR-yeh ahng EE-mong gah-NAH-hahn
unsang = which or what
mga = plural marker
serye = series
ang imong ganahan = the ones you like
This is an everyday question used to learn which TV series a person enjoys. It can lead to a conversation about favorite shows, streaming platforms, characters, seasons, or genres such as comedy, drama, action, and science fiction.
Everything okay?
oh-KAY rah ahng TAH-nahn (approximately)
okay = fine, in order, or without problems
ra = just, simply, or nothing unusual
ang = topic marker
tanan = everything or everyone
This is a casual question used to check whether everything is fine or a situation is proceeding without problems. It can refer to a place, a group of people, an issue, or the general atmosphere. In this usage, the Spanish word tranquilo does not necessarily mean silence or deep peace, so Okay ra ang tanan is more natural than a translation using malinawon. One possible answer is Oo, okay ra ang tanan, meaning Yes, everything is okay.
How have you been?
koo-MOOS-tah mahn kah
kumusta = how are you / how have you been
man = natural emphasis particle
ka = you
A conversational greeting used to ask how someone has been, especially when catching up.
How did things go?
koo-MOOS-tah mahn ahng kah-HEEM-tahng (approximately)
kumusta = how was or how did it go
man = particle that adds a natural or emphatic tone
ang kahimtang = the situation or state of things
A casual question used to ask how a situation, matter, or circumstance already known to both people developed.
Anything interesting today?
nah-ah bye mah-kah-pah-EE-kahg kah-ROHN
naa ba = is there / was there
y = sound linker
makapaikag = interesting / engaging
karon = today / now
An informal question inviting someone to share an interesting experience or piece of news from their day.
Do you like decorating?
gah-NAH-hahn bah kah mahg-deh-koh-RAHR (approximately)
ganahan ba ka = do you like
magdekorar = to decorate or adorn
A casual question used to ask whether someone enjoys beautifying, arranging, or personalizing spaces, celebrations, or objects.
What movies do you like?
OON-sahng mah-NGAH peh-LEE-koo-lah ahng EE-mong gah-NAH-hahn
unsang = which or what
mga = plural marker
pelikula = movies
ang imong ganahan = the ones you like
This is an everyday question used to learn about the movie preferences of another person. It can lead to a conversation about favorite films, actors, directors, or genres such as comedy, action, horror, romance, and science fiction.
Was it peaceful?
mah-lee-NAH-won rah bah
malinawon = peaceful / calm
ra = just / normally
ba = question particle
A short question used to ask whether a day, place, or situation was calm and not too busy.
What's new?
OON-sai bah-LEE-tah (approximately)
unsay = what is, a contraction of unsa and ang
balita = news, an update, or something to share
This is a colloquial expression used to ask what is new with another person and invite that person to share updates. Although balita literally means news, it does not usually refer to news reports in this context. It works as an informal greeting among friends, relatives, or acquaintances when starting or resuming a conversation. One possible answer is Wala ray bag-o, meaning Nothing new.