Over 50 million people worldwide speak Tagalog as either their primary or second language; its standardised form, Filipino, serves as the national language of the Philippines.
Tagalog can be relatively straightforward to learn due to its English vocabulary words and cognates; however, its grammar rules such as difficult verb conjugations require additional attention. Rosetta Stone encourages contextualized learning rather than memorisation of massive word lists.
Basics
As the Philippines continues to draw millions of tourists with its beautiful beaches, fascinating history, and incredible people, it is crucial to learn some basic travel phrases in Tagalog for any trip there – whether for leisure or work purposes. With basic Tagalog language knowledge in your arsenal you will be able to communicate more comfortably with locals while exploring this nation of islands!
Tagalog is widely regarded as an easy language for novice learners to pick up. Its non-tonal nature, simple grammar without case or gendered nouns and abundance of vowels (with no consonant clusters), means most words sound exactly how they’re written – unlike many Romance languages which contain silent letters (e.g. “t”) make it accessible for novice students.
One of the key travel phrases in Tagalog is “salamat,” which translates to “thank you.” Use it at the beginning of any conversation with Filipinos; they will respond quickly by showing respect and building trust with you! Interestingly enough, locals also tend to use this greeting when meeting new travelers!
Though there are numerous books and online resources to help you learn Tagalog, one of the easiest and fastest ways to practice your skills on-the-go is using language apps. These handy programs give access to native-speaking tutors anywhere with internet connectivity – popular examples being Pimsleur, Mondly, and Drops.
Traveling to the Philippines
Philippines as an archipelago boasts numerous captivating destinations to visit – from tropical beaches and lush jungles, white-sand islands and cultural sights, the country is truly a paradise just waiting to be discovered!
Due to typhoon risk and potential conflicts/unrest (see “Entry requirements” for more), travelers should exercise extreme caution when visiting certain areas during June, July, and August (especially due to entry requirements and entry requirements). Before travelling it would also be a good idea to keep informed on local news sources as well as monitoring government travel advice pages – martial law remains in force in western and central Mindanao as well as in Sulu Archipelago; Marawi City continues its battle between government forces and insurgents/insurgents for control (see “Entry requirements” for entry requirements and entry requirements).
Traveling within the Philippines by local jeepney bus is the cheapest means of transport around cities. Though not comfortable, and with frequent stops to allow people to board or disembark – but it makes for a true Filipino experience!
Travelling through the Philippines with G Adventures is an excellent way to meet locals and hone your Tagalog language skills! Their small group tours support local operators while leaving a low footprint behind, plus learning a few basic words such as “salamat” and “po” will impress locals!
Traveling to Cebu
Cebu Island has long been recognized for its exquisite charm and vibrant culture, making it a top travel destination worldwide. Part of this popularity may stem from being perceived as safe by most visitors and also from offering plenty of attractions and things to do.
Cebu stands out for its beaches, natural splendors and ancient architecture – giving rise to its nickname as a vacation garden of Eden. Fort San Pedro houses historical relics and structures as well as numerous churches; Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Magellan’s Cross are other noteworthy points of interest in Cebu.
Cebu is best explored via rental car, giving you freedom and flexibility in terms of schedule. However, for those on tight budgets looking for less costly ways to travel around Cebu can use local transport such as tricycles which can accommodate up to 4 passengers at once or Dyipnis which offer reliable yet cost-effective travel from one point A to B.
GRAB offers cashless ride booking, but for better convenience when traveling through rural or smaller town areas it may be wise to have small bills such as PHP20-50-100 bills with you.
Traveling to Davao
Traveling to Davao can be both exciting and educational; however, proper planning must also take place. Make sure all passport/visa requirements have been fulfilled, as well as having travel medical coverage or emergency travel assistance should an emergency arise.
Once at the airport, metered taxi rides from Davao International to downtown Davao typically range between P200-300 (as of 2023). Drivers are known for being honest and won’t haggle over prices with tourists. Buses or jeepneys also provide options – the former being slightly cheaper but not always.
Davao is home to numerous marvels, from its sublime Prayer Mountain and popular durian fruit to the Tribu K’Mindanawan cultural village where fire dancing, tribal songs and folk dance performances await visitors.
Davao offers an assortment of hotels, hostels and guesthouses that are clean and affordable. Roxas Night Market is the ideal spot to sample local cuisine and buy souvenirs; no trip would be complete without sampling durian, its most prized delicacy which peaks from August through October.