Time and days in Tagalog
Now, later, tomorrow, what time it opens and one moment please. Play the ten Tagalog words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Tagalog phrases in this lesson
- Ngayonnga-YON
- Now
- Mamayama-MA-ya
- Later
- Ngayong arawnga-YON a-RAW
- Today
- BúkasBOO-kas
- Tomorrow
- Mamayang gabima-ma-YANG ga-BEE
- Tonight
- Kailan?kai-LAN
- When?
- Anong oras kayo nagbubukas?a-NONG o-RAS ka-YO nag-boo-boo-KAS
- What time does it open?
- Sandali lang posan-da-LEE lang po
- One moment, please
- Minutomee-NOO-to
- Minutes
- Oraso-RAS
- Hours
Ngayon can mean now or sometime soon, context dependent. "Ngayon na" (right now) emphasizes immediacy. Filipino time is flexible, so now is interpreted generously.
This afternoon or evening, the vague future. "Mamaya na lang" (later works) is common. Filipinos plan loosely; mamaya can mean soon or a few hours from now.
Ngayong means this/today. Araw is day. "Ngayon lang" (just now/today) is the casual version. Filipinos are flexible with time, so "ngayong araw" can mean morning or night depending on context.
Stress on the first syllable means tomorrow; on the second, bukás means open.
Literally "later tonight".
Literally "just a moment".