Below are a few formal/polite greetings and useful phrases that are important to learn if you like to visit Philippines.

EVERYDAY GREETINGS

Magandang umaga po. - Good morning.
Magandang tanghali po.- Good noon.
Magandang hapon po.- Good afternoon.
Magandang gabi po. - Good evening
Kumusta? or Kumusta po kayo? - How are you? ("Kumusta" has its origin from the Spanish term "como esta?"
Mabuti po naman. - I'm fine.
Tuloy po kayo. - Please, come in.
Salamat po. - Thank you.
Maraming salamat po. - Thank you very much.
Wala pong anuman. - You are welcome.
Ano po? or Ano ho - What?
Mawalang galang po - Pardon please
Pasensiya - I'm sorry
Opo/oho. (formal/polite) - Yes.
Oo (informal) - Yes
Hindi po/ho(formal), Hindi (informal) - No.
Hindi ko po/ho alam. - I don't know.
Anong oras na po? - What time is it?
Saan po kayo papunta? - Where are you going?
Saan po kayo galing? - Where did you come from?
Ano po ang pangalan nila? - What is your name?
Ako po si ________ - I am ______ (name).
Ilang taon na po kayo? - How old are you?
Ako po ay _______ gulang na. I am _______ years old.
Saan po kayo nakatira? - Where do you live?
Taga saan po sila? - Where are you from?
Kumain na po ba sila? - Have you eaten yet?

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OCCASIONAL GREETINGS

Maligayang bati sa iyong kaarawan. - Happy birthday to you.
Maligayang Pasko. - Merry Christmas.
Manigong bagong taon. - Happy New Year.
Nawa'y pagpalain ka ng Diyos.- May God bless you.
Maligayang bati sa iyong pagtatapos. - Congratulations on your graduation.
Kami po ay nakikiramay sa inyong pagdadalamhati. - We'd like to express our condolences in your hour of sorrow.
Tanggapin po ninyo ang aming taos- pusong pakikiramay. - Please accept our sincerest condolences.
Sumalangit nawa ang kanyang kaluluwa. - May his/her soul rest in peace.
Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo ang aking pagkakamali. - Please accept my sincerest apologies.
Patawarin po ninyo ang aming mga pagkakamali. - Please forgive us for our mistakes.
Ako po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat. - I am sincerely thankful/grateful.
Nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyong napakalaking tulong sa amin. - I would like to thank you for your great help to us.
Hindi ko alam kung papaano ko po kayo mapapasalamatan sa inyong kabutihan. - I really can't (or don't know how to) thank you enough for your kindness.

Have Fun Learning Filipino Languages!

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Updated: 23 January 2008
Edited by 4jpz
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This post was last modified: 12-28-2007 01:20 AM by Pau23.

how will you show in english that you are formal/polite if it is just the same with the informal?

In english, you just add a sir/ma'am or a mister/miss to give respect... whereas in Filipino, polite/formal phrases or sentences have a "po" or "ho" added to it...

It is impolite to have a conversation with a Filipino without this add-ons especially if you're talking to an elder person or someone of authority... Even persons in high authority or the elders use "po" and "opo" in their speech when talking to their subordinates as a form of respect...

additional:

kumusta - how have you been?
ano ho/ ano po? - what?/pardon
pasensiya - im sorry

Pau has "Kumusta po kayo?" in her list so it's the same thing as "Kumusta." It's just the longer version... lol... I've added the rest of your additions Vieran with some tidbits about "Kumusta"...

additional:

Magkano? - how much?

its better to greet in filipino than i english...it's more malambing..

thanks

thx for the help.. ^_^ TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

the greetings are so formal hehe but this reminds me to speak filipino properly