How to Greet and Introduce Yourself in Tagalog (Polite vs. Casual)
May 10, 2025
Ready to take the first step? In any language, learning how to say hello and introduce yourself opens the door to conversations. In Tagalog, it's simple, friendly, and sometimes mixed with English— particularly in casual settings.
This guide walks you through how the same message is expressed differently depending on formality—with sample phrases, dialogues, and cultural notes.
Saying the Same Thing: Polite vs. Casual
In Filipino culture, you adjust wording and tone depending on the situation. Here's how you'd say the same phrase across different levels of formality:
| Meaning | Polite | Casual/Everyday |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / How are you? | Kamusta po? | Kamusta? / Hello! |
| I am [Name] | Ako po si Maria. | Ako si Maria. |
| Nice to meet you | Ikinagagalak ko po kayong makilala. | Nice to meet you! |
✅ Tip: "Po" adds politeness. Use it with elders or formal settings.
Notice how casual and everyday speech drops "po" and sometimes switches to English phrases.
Sample Dialogue (Polite)
Maria: Kamusta po? Ako po si Maria.
Ana: Kamusta po! Ako po si Ana. Taga Davao po ako. Ikinagagalak ko po kayong makilala.
🎧 Practice this dialogue in our Flashcard Deck
Sample Dialogue (Casual)
Maria: Hello! Kamusta? Ako si Maria.
Ana: Hello! Mabuti naman! Ako si Ana. Taga Davao ako. Nice to meet you!
✅ Cultural Note: Many Filipinos switch between Tagalog and English in casual conversations—"Hello" and "Nice to meet you" are widely used even among native speakers.
Basic Greetings
Here are other helpful phrases to start or end conversations:
- Magandang umaga – Good morning
- Magandang hapon – Good afternoon
- Magandang gabi – Good evening
- Paalam – Goodbye
- Ingat ka – Take care
- Salamat – Thank you
Introducing Yourself
Once you've greeted someone, here's how to introduce yourself or ask about them:
- Anong pangalan mo? – What's your name?
- Taga saan ka? – Where are you from?
- Taga-[place] ako – I'm from [place]
- Saan ka nakatira? – Where do you live?
- Nakatira ako sa [place] – I live in [place]
✅ Note: "Ikinagagalak kitang makilala" is formal. In casual situations, Filipinos often just say "Nice to meet you!" or skip this line entirely.
Quick Tips
- ✅ Use "po" and "opo" with elders or authority figures.
- ✅ Smile and use a warm tone—Filipino greetings are naturally friendly.
- ✅ Expect code-switching: English and Tagalog often mix in casual settings.
- ✅ Watch body language: a smile, slight nod, or gentle tone enhances greetings.
Final Thoughts
Learning both polite and casual ways to greet and introduce yourself helps you navigate different social situations with ease. Start with what feels natural—and add "po" for politeness when in doubt.
Want to practice? Start Lessons 1 and 2 on tagalearn.com for interactive flashcards, audio, and guided exercises.
Magsimula na tayo! 🇵🇭 (Let's get started!)