Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Cultural Norms and a Little Tagalog

Try Filipino……. It’s Fun


Note: Filipino is pronounced phonetically


Good Morning Magandang Umaga

Good Afternoon Magandang Hapon

Good Evening Magandang Gabi

How are you? Kumusta Ka?

Goodbye Paalam

I’m fine Mabuti ako

Yes/No Oo/Hindi

How much is this? Magkano ito?

Expensive Mahal

Cheap Mura

I/We Ako/Tayo

You Ikaw

He/She/They Siya/Sila

Where are you going? Saan ka pupunta?

Who? Sino

What? Ano

Why? Bakit

Beautiful/Ugly Maganda/Pangit

Peso Piso

One Isa

Two Dalawa

Three Tatlo

Four Apat

Five Lima

Six Anim

Seven Pito

Eight Walo

Nine Siyam

Ten Sampu

Stop Hinto/Para

Right/Left Kanan/Kaliwa

Here/Look Dito/Tingnan

Please sit down Maupo ka

Come here Halika rito

Thank you Salamat po

You are welcome Walang anuman

What is your name? Ano ang pangalan mo?

My name is Ang pangalan ko ay

Where are you from? Tagasaan ka?

There Doon

Big/Small Malaki/Maliit

Hot/Cold Mainit/Malamig

Good/Bad Mabait/Masama

Clean/Dirty Malinis/Madumi

Man/Woman Lalaki/Babae

Husband/Wife Asawa

Father/Mother Tatay/Nanay

Sister or Brother Kapatid

Child Anak

How many? Ilan?

Have/Don’t have Mayroon/Wala

Office Opisina

When? Kailan?

Monday Lunes

Tuesday Martes

W

Saturday Sabado

Sunday Linggo

ednesday Miyerkules

Thursday Huwebes

Friday Biyernes




Do’s and Don’ts in the Philippines


Do’s


  1. Do invite people at least three times to stay for a snack because such insistence is a genuine assurance for them to stay.

  2. Always offer snacks or merienda to guests. This is a sign they are welcome to your home.

  3. When food is served and you do not feel like eating or tasting it, inform the host or hostess you are full and thank them instead.

  4. If you plan to visit a Filipino’s home on a special occasion, be sure to wear the proper attire, Rubber sandals or slippers are not appropriate.

  5. Do bring a “pasalubong or small remembrance when returning from a trip or when visiting someone you have not seen in a long time.

  6. Do show respect for age as this is a very important precept of life in the Orient. “Sir” or Ma’am” is used to indicate such respect.

  7. Do give a Filipino a way out of a situation so he can save his face and not get embarrassed. Such embarrassment cause “hiya,” (lose face) which is painful for a Filipino to accept.

  8. Always have a name card ready as it is customary among Filipino businessmen to exchange them.


Don’ts


  1. Don’t use your finger to call someone because it is very degrading. It would be more appropriate to beckon with the hand using downward motion, or better still, just approach the person and introduce yourself.

  2. Don’t call anyone stupid, even in jest, because to the Filipino, it is worse than cursing him.

  3. Don’t ever leave without telling the host or hostess you are leaving and give your reason for doing so. Also, saying “thank you” is very appreciated.

  4. Never open a gift in public without permission from the giver.

  5. Don’t use the common American finger sign for “OK’ because here it means money.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

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