Tagalog Numbers, Time, and Measurement: A Practical Guide
July 21, 2025
Spanish colonization and American imperialism left their mark on everyday Tagalog, especially in numbers and units of measurement. You’ll hear both native Tagalog numbers and Spanish numbers, sometimes even in the same sentence! And while the Philippines officially uses the metric system, imperial units still sneak into casual conversations.
When do you use which? Do you need to memorize all the numbers in both systems?
Short answer: No.
We’re here to demystify the mix and give you a practical, no-fuss guide.
Spanish vs. Tagalog Numbers: When to Use Which
| Situation | Number System | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Counting objects | Tagalog | Pitong ibon – Seven birds |
| Telling time | Spanish | A las siyete ng umaga – 7:00 AM |
| Money (₱10 and below) | Tagalog | Pitong piso – 7 pesos |
| Money (₱20 and up, multiples of 10) | Spanish | Setenta pesos lang po – Just 70 pesos |
| Hundreds & thousands | Tagalog | Isang libo’t dalawang daan – 1,200 |
| Age | Tagalog | Tatlumpu’t dalawang taong gulang – 32 years old |
| Measurement | Tagalog | Limang kilometro – Five kilometers |
✅ Exception: The Spanish “una” is still used for “first” in many contexts:
- Unang kanto – First corner (directions)
- Nauna ako – I was first
- Ang pinaka-unang beses – The very first time
Metric vs. Imperial: When to Use Which
| Situation | Common System |
|---|---|
| Distance | Metric |
| Temperature | Metric (Celsius) |
| Weight | Imperial (pounds) |
| Height | Imperial (feet/inches) |
| Cooking/Baking | Imperial (cups, ounces) |
✅ Tip: Metric is used in schools and official records; imperial tends to pop up in day-to-day conversations about height and cooking.
Native Tagalog Numbers (1–10)
- 1 – isa
- 2 – dalawa
- 3 – tatlo
- 4 – apat
- 5 – lima
- 6 – anim
- 7 – pito
- 8 – walo
- 9 – siyam
- 10 – sampu
Use native numbers for counting people, objects, and informal counts.
Spanish-Derived Numbers (Used for Money, Time, Age)
- 11 – onse
- 12 – dose
- 13 – trese
- 14 – katorse
- 15 – kinse
- 20 – bente
- 30 – trenta
- 40 – kwarenta
- 50 – singkuwenta
- 60 – sesenta
- 70 – setenta
- 80 – otsenta
- 90 – nobenta
✅ Tip: Spanish numbers are used for time and sometimes money, while native numbers dominate counting things.
Telling Time & Days of the Week
Time phrases use Spanish structure:
- Anong oras na? – What time is it?
- Alas siyete ng umaga – 7:00 AM
- Alas tres ng hapon – 3:00 PM
Days of the week:
- Lunes – Monday
- Martes – Tuesday
- Miyerkules – Wednesday
- Huwebes – Thursday
- Biyernes – Friday
- Sabado – Saturday
- Linggo – Sunday
✅ Tip: “Alas” comes from Spanish; the phrase structure reflects Spanish grammar embedded in Tagalog.
Quick Practice Routine
- ✅ Count aloud from 1–10 in Tagalog
- ✅ Practice money amounts switching between Tagalog & Spanish
- ✅ Listen to time expressions until they’re automatic
Final Thoughts
Mastering when to use Tagalog vs. Spanish numbers, and metric vs. imperial units, makes everyday conversations smoother. With a few practical rules and some listening practice, you’ll be ready for shopping, directions, and daily chats.
Explore Lessons 3 & 4 on tagalearn.com for interactive flashcards, audio, and guided practice.
Magsimula na tayo! 🇵🇭 (Let’s get started!)