Ilocano to Tagalog Phrasebook
428 everyday phrases, grouped by the situation you need them in. Every entry was checked against published references rather than generated by a translation engine.
The two languages are not mutually intelligible. A Tagalog speaker with no exposure to Ilocano will pick out isolated words — numbers, Spanish loans, a handful of shared roots — but not connected speech. Ilocano speakers in Luzon usually do understand Tagalog, though that is because it is the national language of school and media rather than because the two are alike. The comprehension runs one way.
- Phrases
- 428
- Categories
- 25
- Cited sources
- 2
- Pending review
- 12
Showing all 428 phrases across 25 categories.
Greetings
Openers you will hear every day in Ilocos.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Naimbag a bigatnah-eem-BAHG ah bee-GAHT | Magandang umaga | Good morningliterally: Good the morningThe linker is 'a' after a consonant and 'nga' after a vowel — 'Naimbag a bigat' but 'Naimbag nga aldaw'. |
| Naimbag a malem | Magandang hapon | Good afternoon |
| Naimbag a rabii | Magandang gabi | Good eveningTagalog 'gabi' is a stress pair: gabí is evening, gábi is taro. Ilocano keeps them apart entirely — rabii versus aba. |
| Naimbag nga aldaw | Magandang araw | Good day'nga' rather than 'a' here because aldaw begins with a vowel. |
| Kablaaw | Bati | Greeting / helloKablaaw is the noun 'a greeting' and appears on signs and cards more than in speech. Ilocano speakers usually open with 'Kumusta ka?' instead. |
| Kumusta ka?koo-MOOS-tah kah | Kumusta ka? | How are you?Identical in both languages — both borrowed it from Spanish '¿cómo está?'. One of the few sentences that needs no translation at all. |
| Mayat met | Mabuti naman | I'm fine |
| Naragsak nga isasangbay | Maligayang pagdating | Welcome |
| Agpakadaakonahg-pah-kah-dah-AH-kawn | Paalam na | Goodbye |
| Kasta pay | Sige, hanggang sa muli | See you / bye for now |
| Agkita tan to | Magkita tayo muli | See you soon |
| Agaluadka | Mag-ingat ka | Take care'Agannadka' is the commoner form in the Ilocos provinces; both are understood. |
Courtesy
Please, thank you, sorry, yes and no.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Agyamanakahg-YAH-mah-nahk | Salamat | Thank youliterally: I am gratefulBuilt on the root 'yaman' with the ag- verb prefix and -ak 'I'. It is a full sentence, unlike Tagalog 'salamat'. |
| Agyamanak iti kasta unaypending review | Maraming salamat | Thank you very much |
| Awan ti anyaman na | Walang anuman | You're welcomeIlocano 'awan' and Tagalog 'wala' are the matching negative-existential words — 'there is none'. The two phrases are structurally identical. |
| Pangngaasim | Pakiusap | PleaseSources give both 'Pangngaasi' and 'Pangngaasim'; the -m is the second-person suffix, so 'pangngaasim' is 'your kindness'. |
| Pakawanennak | Patawarin mo ako | Forgive me / I'm sorry |
| Dispensarennak | Pasensya na | Excuse me / pardon meBoth languages took this from Spanish 'dispensar'. |
| Pakawanennak | Mawalang-galang po | Excuse me (getting someone's attention)Ilocano uses the same word for apologising and for getting attention; Tagalog splits them — 'Patawarin mo ako' to apologise, 'Mawalang-galang po' to interrupt politely. In speech most Tagalog speakers just say 'Excuse me po'. |
| Wenwehn | Oo | Yes |
| Haanhah-AHN | Hindi | No'Saan' is the equally common Ilocano variant. Note the trap: Ilocano 'saan' also means 'where', and Tagalog 'saan' means only 'where'. |
Introductions
Names, origins and first meetings.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ania ti naganmo? | Ano ang pangalan mo? | What is your name?Ilocano 'ti' does the work Tagalog splits between 'ang' and 'ng'. |
| Siak ni ___ | Ako si ___ | I am ___Both use a personal-name marker before the name: Ilocano 'ni', Tagalog 'si'. |
| Naragsakak a maam-ammoka | Ikinagagalak kong makilala ka | Nice to meet you |
| Taga ano ka? | Taga-saan ka? | Where are you from?Both share the prefix 'taga-' meaning 'from'. Ilocano pairs it with 'ano', Tagalog with 'saan'. |
| Taga ___ ak | Taga-___ ako | I'm from ___ |
Understanding
Getting by when you do not follow.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Diak maawatan | Hindi ko maintindihan | I don't understand'Haan ko nga maawatan' is the fuller form. 'Diak' contracts 'di' + '-ak'. |
| Diak ammo | Hindi ko alam | I don't know |
| Agsasao ka iti Inggles? | Marunong ka bang mag-Ingles? | Do you speak English? |
| Diak makapagsao iti Ilocano | Hindi ako marunong mag-Ilocano | I can't speak Ilocano |
| Bassit lang | Kaunti lang | Just a littleBoth languages use the same borrowed particle 'lang' for 'only'. |
| Adda kadi tao ditoy nga agsasao iti Inggles? | May tao ba rito na marunong mag-Ingles? | Is there someone here who speaks English?Ilocano 'adda' and Tagalog 'may' are the matching positive-existential words. |
| Madik ammo | Hindi ko alam | I don't knowDiak ammo is the commoner variant. |
| Ammom ag ___? | Marunong ka ba ng ___? | Do you speak ___? |
| Haan ko ammo ag ___ | Hindi ako marunong ng ___ | I don't speak ___ |
Numbers
Native Ilocano numerals and their Tagalog equivalents.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Maysa | Isa | One |
| Dua | Dalawa | Two |
| Tallo | Tatlo | ThreeCognates — Ilocano doubles the l where Tagalog has tl. |
| Uppat | Apat | Four |
| Lima | Lima | FiveIdentical. 'Lima' for five goes back to Proto-Austronesian and survives unchanged in both. |
| Innem | Anim | Six |
| Pito | Pito | SevenIdentical in both. |
| Walo | Walo | EightIdentical in both. |
| Siam | Siyam | Nine |
| Sangapulo | Sampu | TenIlocano builds tens transparently: sanga- 'one' + pulo 'ten'. |
| Sangapulo ket maysa | Labing-isa | ElevenThe systems diverge here: Ilocano says 'ten and one', Tagalog uses the labing- prefix. |
| Duapulo | Dalawampu | Twenty |
| Sangagasut | Sandaan | One hundred |
| Sangaribu | Sanlibo | One thousand |
| Gudua | Kalahati | Half |
| Ad-adu | Mas marami | More |
| Bassit | Kaunti | Less / a little |
| Sangapulo ket dua | Labindalawa | Twelve |
| Sangapulo ket tallo | Labintatlo | Thirteen |
| Sangapulo ket uppat | Labing-apat | Fourteen |
| Sangapulo ket lima | Labinlima | Fifteen |
| Sangapulo ket innem | Labing-anim | Sixteen |
| Sangapulo ket pito | Labimpito | Seventeen |
| Sangapulo ket walo | Labingwalo | Eighteen |
| Sangapulo ket siam | Labinsiyam | Nineteen |
| Duapulo ket maysa | Dalawampu't isa | Twenty-oneThe pattern is fully regular: tens, then ket, then the unit. |
| Tallopulo | Tatlumpu | Thirty |
| Uppat a pulo | Apatnapu | FortyForty, sixty, eighty and ninety take the linker a rather than fusing — uppat a pulo, not uppatpulo. |
| Limapulo | Limampu | Fifty |
| Innem a pulo | Animnapu | Sixty |
| Pitopulo | Pitumpu | Seventy |
| Walo a pulo | Walumpu | Eighty |
| Siam a pulo | Siyamnapu | Ninety |
| Duagasut | Dalawandaan | Two hundred |
| Tallogasut | Tatlong daan | Three hundred |
| Duaribu | Dalawanlibo | Two thousand |
| Sangariwriw | Isang milyon | One millionIlocano has a native word here where Tagalog borrows Spanish millón. |
Time & days
Telling the time, naming the day.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tatta | Ngayon | Now |
| Madamdama | Mamaya | Later |
| Sakbay | Bago | Before |
| Bigat | Umaga | Morning |
| Malem | Hapon | Afternoon |
| Rabii | Gabi | Evening / night |
| Tengnga ti aldaw | Tanghali | Noonliterally: Middle of the day |
| Ita nga aldaw | Ngayong araw | Today |
| Idi kalman | Kahapon | Yesterday |
| Inton bigat | Bukas | Tomorrowliterally: In the morningIlocano builds 'tomorrow' from the word for morning. Tagalog 'bukas' is unrelated — and is itself a stress pair, since bukás also means 'open'. |
| Aldaw | Araw | DayCognates. Ilocano keeps the d where Tagalog has r between vowels — the same correspondence shows up across the two languages. |
| Lawas | Linggo | WeekTagalog uses 'Linggo' for both Sunday and week; Ilocano keeps them separate (Domingo / lawas). |
| Bulan | Buwan | MonthBoth words mean moon and month, as in most Philippine languages. |
| Tawen | Taon | Year |
| Oras | Oras | HourIdentical — Spanish 'hora' in both. |
| Domingo | Linggo | SundayThe clearest day-name split: Ilocano keeps Spanish Domingo, Tagalog nativised it to Linggo. |
| Lunes | Lunes | Monday |
| Martes | Martes | Tuesday |
| Mierkoles | Miyerkules | Wednesday |
| Huebes | Huwebes | ThursdaySpelling varies in Ilocano sources between Huebes and Juebes. |
| Biernes | Biyernes | Friday |
| Sabado | Sabado | Saturday |
| A la una iti bigat | Ala una ng umaga | One o'clock in the morningClock time runs on Spanish numerals in both languages. |
| A las dos iti malem | Alas dos ng hapon | Two o'clock in the afternoon |
| Kaltaang rabii | Hatinggabi | Midnight |
| Segundo | Segundo | Second |
| Minuto | Minuto | Minute |
| Ita a lawas | Ngayong linggo | This week |
| Intono umay a lawas | Sa susunod na linggo | Next week |
Food & eating
The largest category, because meals are where the language lives.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mangan tayon! | Kain na tayo! | Let's eat!Both use the inclusive 'we' — Ilocano 'tayo', Tagalog 'tayo' — meaning the listener is included in the invitation. Using the exclusive form would mean 'we're eating, you're not'. |
| Mabisinakon | Gutom na ako | I'm hungry |
| Nabusugakon | Busog na ako | I'm fullIlocano 'nabsog' and Tagalog 'busog' are cognates. |
| Naimas!nah-EE-mahs | Masarap! | Delicious!No shared root at all — one of the highest-frequency words where the two languages have nothing in common. |
| Nangan kan? | Kumain ka na? | Have you eaten?In both cultures this functions as a greeting as much as a question. |
| Haan pay | Hindi pa | Not yet |
| Mangan ka pay! | Kumain ka pa! | Eat more!Both use 'pa/pay' as the 'still, more' particle. |
| Innapoy | Kanin | Cooked riceCompletely different roots, and both distinguish cooked rice from the uncooked grain. |
| Ikan | Isda | FishIlocano 'ikan' matches Malay and Indonesian 'ikan'. Tagalog 'isda' does not. |
| Karne ti manok | Manok | Chickenliterally: Meat of chicken |
| Karne ti baboy | Baboy | Pork |
| Karne ti baka | Baka | BeefWatch the Tagalog: 'baka' is beef, but 'baka' with different stress also means 'maybe'. |
| Nateng | Gulay | Vegetables |
| Prutas | Prutas | FruitSpanish 'frutas' in both. |
| Tinapay | Tinapay | BreadIdentical. |
| Itlog | Itlog | EggIdentical. |
| Keso | Keso | Cheese |
| Pancit | Pancit | Noodles |
| Nagapgad | Maalat | It's salty |
| Nagsam-it | Matamis | It's sweet |
| Naggasang | Maanghang | It's spicy |
| Nagalsem | Maasim | It's sourIlocano marks these with nag-, Tagalog with ma-. The pattern holds across the whole set. |
| Pamigat | Almusal | BreakfastIlocano builds it from 'bigat' (morning); Tagalog borrowed Spanish 'almuerzo'. |
| Pangaldaw | Tanghalian | Lunch |
| Pangrabii | Hapunan | Dinner |
| Mirienda | Meryenda | Snack |
| Maysa man a baso ti danom | Isang baso ng tubig nga po | A glass of water, please |
| Mabalin a makitak ti menu? | Puwede ko bang makita ang menu? | Can I see the menu? |
| Vegetarianak | Vegetarian ako | I'm vegetarian |
| Nalpasakon | Tapos na ako | I'm finished |
| Makan | Pagkain | Food |
| Longganisa | Longganisa | Sausage |
| Maysa man a mesa para dua a tao | Mesa para sa dalawang tao nga po | A table for two, please |
| Ania ti specialty yo? | Ano ang specialty ninyo? | What is your speciality? |
| Diak mangan ti karne ti baboy | Hindi ako kumakain ng baboy | I don't eat pork |
| Ayana kayat mo panganan? | Saan mo gustong kumain? | Where do you want to eat? |
| Nanganakon | Kumain na ako | I've already eaten |
Market & money
Prices, haggling, paying.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Manu? | Magkano? | How much?'Sagmamano?' is the fuller Ilocano form. |
| Nanginanah-NGEE-nah | Mahal | ExpensiveTagalog 'mahal' means both expensive and beloved. Ilocano keeps them apart — 'nangina' for price, 'ay-ayaten' for love. |
| Nalaka | Mura | Cheap |
| Awan tawar na? | Wala bang tawad? | Any discount?Ilocano 'tawar' and Tagalog 'tawad' are the same word — the d/r correspondence again. |
| Alaekon | Kukunin ko | I'll take it |
| Diak kayat | Ayaw ko | I don't want it |
| Agbayad ak | Magbabayad ako | I'll pay'Bayad' is shared by both languages. |
| Masapulko ti ___ | Kailangan ko ng ___ | I need ___ |
| Dakdakkel | Mas malaki | BiggerIlocano compares by reduplicating the root; Tagalog uses the separate word 'mas'. |
| Basbassit | Mas maliit | Smaller |
| Ag-alakayo ti dolar nga Amerikano? | Tumatanggap ba kayo ng dolyar? | Do you accept American dollars? |
| Ag-alakayo ti credit card? | Tumatanggap ba kayo ng credit card? | Do you accept credit cards? |
| Adda ti ATM idtoy? | May ATM ba dito? | Is there an ATM here? |
Directions
Getting where you are going.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kannigidkahn-nee-GEED | Kaliwa | Left |
| Kannawankahn-nah-WAHN | Kanan | RightClose enough to be confusing: Ilocano 'kannawan' and Tagalog 'kanan' are cognates, but 'kannigid' and 'kaliwa' are not. |
| Dumiretso | Diretso | Straight ahead |
| Ayan ti banio? | Nasaan ang banyo? | Where is the toilet? |
| Kasano ti mapan idiay ___? | Paano pumunta sa ___? | How do I get to ___? |
| Papanam? | Saan ka pupunta? | Where are you going? |
| Agawid akon | Uuwi na ako | I'm going home |
| Para! | Para! | Stop! (to a driver)Identical, and used the same way — shouted to get off a jeepney or tricycle. |
| Manu ti plete inggana idiay ___? | Magkano ang pamasahe papuntang ___? | How much is the fare to ___? |
| Amianan | Hilaga | North |
| Abagatan | Timog | South |
| Daya | Silangan | EastCareful — Tagalog 'daya' means cheating or deceit. Nothing to do with direction. |
| Laud | Kanluran | West |
| Dalan | Daan | Street / roadCognates — the l drops out in Tagalog. |
| Kumannigidka | Kumaliwa ka | Turn left |
| Kumannawanka | Kumanan ka | Turn right |
| Mapan iti ___ | Papunta sa ___ | Towards the ___ |
| Kalpasan iti ___ | Lagpas sa ___ | Past the ___ |
| Sakbay iti ___ | Bago ang ___ | Before the ___ |
| Pasang-at | Paakyat | Uphill |
| Pasalog | Pababa | Downhill |
| Ili | Bayan | Town centre |
| Mabalin nga pakitam kaniak idiay mapa? | Puwede mo bang ituro sa mapa? | Can you show me on the map? |
| Ayanna? | Nasaan? | Where?Use ayan for location. Ilocano saan negates rather than asking where — the reverse of Tagalog. |
Health & emergency
The phrases worth memorising before you need them.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tulong!TOO-lawng | Tulong! | Help!Identical. Worth knowing that this one word works across most of the Philippines. |
| Agannadka! | Mag-ingat ka! | Look out! |
| Agsakitak | May sakit ako | I am sick'Sakit' is shared by both languages. |
| Masapulko ti doktor | Kailangan ko ng doktor | I need a doctor |
| Naiyaw-awanak!nahy-YAHW-ah-wah-nahk | Naligaw ako | I am lost'Napukawak' also occurs, though that leans toward 'I went missing'. |
| Agsardengka! Agtatakaw! | Tumigil ka! Magnanakaw! | Stop! Thief!Ilocano 'takaw' and Tagalog 'nakaw' are cognates for stealing. |
| Agayabak iti pulis! | Tatawag ako ng pulis! | I'll call the police! |
| Panawandak man! | Iwan mo ako! | Leave me alone! |
| Kasapulak ti tulongmo | Kailangan ko ang tulong mo | I need your help |
| Napukaw diay pitakak | Nawala ang pitaka ko | My wallet is missing'Pitaka' is the same word in both. |
| Dinak ig-igaman | Huwag mo akong hawakan | Don't touch me |
| Naaksidente ak | Naaksidente ako | I had an accident |
| Napukaw diay bag-ko | Nawala ang bag ko | My bag is missing |
| Masapulko ti agas | Kailangan ko ng gamot | I need medicine |
| Agsubli ak | Babalik ako | I'll be back |
Family & people
Relationships and forms of address.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nanangpending review | Nanay | Mother |
| Tatangpending review | Tatay | FatherNear-identical, differing only in the final consonant. |
| Kabsatpending review | Kapatid | Sibling |
| Anakpending review | Anak | ChildIdentical across nearly every Philippine language. |
| Asawapending review | Asawa | SpouseIdentical, and gender-neutral in both. |
| Gayyempending review | Kaibigan | Friend |
| Apopending review | Apo | Ilocano: sir/madam (respectful address) · Tagalog: grandchildThe most consequential false friend between the two languages. In Ilocano 'Apo' is a respectful title for an elder or authority; in Tagalog 'apo' means grandchild. Machine translation gets this wrong routinely. |
| Lallaki | Lalaki | Men / male |
| Babbai | Babae | Women / femaleIlocano marks the plural by doubling the consonant: babai → babbai. |
| Ina | Ina | Mother (formal)Nanang is the everyday, affectionate form. |
| Ama | Ama | Father (formal)Tatang is the everyday form. Identical in both languages. |
| Baket | Asawang babae | WifeBaket also means 'old woman', so it carries an affectionate, familiar tone. |
| Lakay | Asawang lalaki | HusbandLike baket, lakay doubles as 'old man'. |
| Tao | Tao | PersonIdentical. |
| Ubing | Bata | Child (young person)Anak means one's own child; ubing is a child by age. |
Feelings
Saying how you are, and how you feel about someone.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Naragsakakpending review | Masaya ako | I'm happy |
| Nabannogakpending review | Pagod ako | I'm tired |
| Ay-ayatenkapending review | Mahal kita | I love youIlocano builds it on the root 'ayat' (love) with the -ka 'you' suffix. Tagalog 'mahal' doubles as 'expensive', so the Ilocano is less ambiguous. |
| Mailiwak kenka | Namimiss kita | I miss youTagalog has no native verb here and borrows English 'miss'. Ilocano 'iliw' is a native root — one of the few places Ilocano is the less borrowed of the two. |
Colours
Basic colour terms in both languages.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nangisit | Itim | Black |
| Puraw | Puti | White |
| Baga | Pula | RedA false friend: Tagalog 'baga' is an ember or a lung, never the colour red. |
| Asul | Asul | BlueSpanish 'azul' in both. |
| Duyaw | Dilaw | YellowCognates, with the same d-word diverging in the middle. |
| Berde | Berde | Green |
| Kayumanggi | Kayumanggi | Brown |
| Kahel | Kahel | Orange |
| Dapo | Abo | Greyliterally: AshBoth languages name the colour after ash — Ilocano dapo, Tagalog abo. |
Months
The Spanish-derived month names, and where the two spellings part company.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Enero | Enero | January |
| Febrero | Pebrero | FebruaryOne of the clearest spelling splits: Ilocano keeps the Spanish F, Tagalog nativised it to P. |
| Marso | Marso | March |
| Abril | Abril | April |
| Mayo | Mayo | May |
| Hunio | Hunyo | June |
| Hulio | Hulyo | July |
| Agosto | Agosto | August |
| Setiembre | Setyembre | SeptemberIlocano writes -ie-, Tagalog -ye-. The same pattern runs through November and December. |
| Oktubre | Oktubre | October |
| Nobiembre | Nobyembre | November |
| Disiembre | Disyembre | December |
Getting around
Buses, jeepneys, tickets and driving.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Sagmamano ti tiket a mapan ___? | Magkano ang tiket papuntang ___? | How much is a ticket to ___? |
| Maysa man a tiket a mapan ___ | Isang tiket papuntang ___ nga po | One ticket to ___, please |
| Sadino ti papanan daytoy a bus? | Saan papunta ang bus na ito? | Where does this bus go? |
| Sadino ti bus a mapan ___? | Nasaan ang bus papuntang ___? | Where is the bus to ___? |
| Agsardeng aya daytoy a bus idiay ___? | Humihinto ba ang bus na ito sa ___? | Does this bus stop in ___? |
| Kaano nga agrubuat ti bus a mapan ___? | Kailan aalis ang bus papuntang ___? | When does the bus for ___ leave? |
| Kaano a sumangpet daytoy a bus idiay ___? | Kailan darating ang bus na ito sa ___? | When will this bus arrive in ___? |
| Manu nga tao ti mabalin nga sumakay? | Ilang tao ang puwedeng sumakay? | How many people can ride? |
| Estasion ti tren | Estasyon ng tren | Train station |
| Estasion ti bus | Estasyon ng bus | Bus station |
| Pagpatayaban | Paliparan | AirportBoth are native formations rather than borrowings — Ilocano from tayab (to fly), Tagalog from lipad. |
| Kotse | Kotse | Car |
| Kayatko nga agrenta ti kotse | Gusto kong magrenta ng kotse | I want to rent a car |
| Gasolina | Gasolina | Petrol / gasoline |
| Krudo | Krudo | Diesel |
| Paggasolinaan | Gasolinahan | Petrol station |
| Sardeng! | Tigil! | Stop!Distinct from Para!, which you shout to get off a jeepney. |
Somewhere to stay
Asking for a room and what is in it.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Adda pay ti kuarto yo? | May bakanteng kuwarto pa ba kayo? | Do you have a room available? |
| Manu ti kuarto para maysa nga tao? | Magkano ang kuwarto para sa isang tao? | How much is a room for one? |
| Manu ti kuarto para dua nga tao? | Magkano ang kuwarto para sa dalawang tao? | How much is a room for two? |
| Mabalin nga makitak diay kwarto? | Puwede ko bang makita ang kuwarto? | May I see the room? |
| Adda ti kwartoyo nga naul-ulimek? | May mas tahimik ba kayong kuwarto? | Do you have a quieter room? |
| Nadaldalus | Mas malinis | CleanerIlocano compares by reduplicating the root; Tagalog adds mas. |
| Nalaklaka | Mas mura | Cheaper |
| Agyanak ti dua nga rabii | Mananatili ako ng dalawang gabi | I'll stay two nights |
| Paki dalus diay kuartok | Pakilinis ang kuwarto ko | Please clean my room |
| Mabalin nga riingen nak ti ___? | Puwede mo ba akong gisingin ng ___? | Can you wake me at ___? |
| Kuarto | Kuwarto | Room |
| Ules | Kumot | Blanket |
| Banio | Banyo | Bathroom |
| Telepono | Telepono | Telephone |
| Telebisyon | Telebisyon | Television |
Things to buy
Everyday items you might need to ask for.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Sabon | Sabon | Soap |
| Siampo | Syampu | Shampoo |
| Sepilyo | Sipilyo | Toothbrush |
| Pagibarbas | Pang-ahit | Razor |
| Payong | Payong | UmbrellaIdentical, and worth having in the Philippines year round. |
| Papel | Papel | Paper |
| Bolpen | Bolpen | Pen |
| Bateria | Baterya | Battery |
| Selyo para iti surat | Selyo para sa sulat | Postage stamps |
| Agas | Gamot | Medicine |
| Pangep-ep iti ut-ot | Pampawala ng sakit | Pain reliever |
| Agas ti panateng | Gamot sa sipon | Cold medicine |
| Agas ti sakit iti buksit | Gamot sa sakit ng tiyan | Stomach medicine |
| Libro | Libro | Book |
| Diario | Diyaryo | Newspaper |
| Diksionario | Diksiyonaryo | Dictionary |
| Adda dakdakkel wenno basbassit? | May mas malaki o mas maliit ba? | Do you have something bigger or smaller? |
| Apo? | Tao po? | Is anybody there?The standard call at a doorway. Ilocano Apo is a respectful address; Tagalog Tao po literally asks 'person?'. |
| Paggatangak ti? | Puwede bang bumili ng? | Can I buy? |
| Ania daytoy? | Ano ito? | What is this? |
| Alaem | Kunin mo | Take it |
Drinks
Water, coffee, milk and what to say when you order.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Danom | Tubig | WaterNo shared root — a basic word where the two languages are entirely unalike. |
| Kape | Kape | Coffee |
| Gatas | Gatas | MilkIdentical. |
| Bote | Bote | Bottle |
| Tsokolate | Tsokolate | Chocolate |
| Maysa pay | Isa pa nga | Another one, please |
| Ania ti oras nga agrikepkayo? | Anong oras kayo nagsasara? | What time do you close? |
| Baso | Baso | Glass |
The body
Head to foot, with the words that differ most between the two languages.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ulo | Ulo | HeadIdentical in both languages. |
| Buok | Buhok | Hair |
| Mata | Mata | EyeIdentical, and shared across most Philippine languages. |
| Lapayag | Tainga | Ear |
| Agong | Ilong | Nose |
| Ngiwat | Bibig | Mouth |
| Ngipen | Ngipin | ToothNear-identical — one vowel apart. |
| Dila | Dila | TongueIdentical. |
| Bengnged | Leeg | Neck |
| Bukot | Likod | Back |
| Ima | Kamay | Hand |
| Kuko | Kuko | FingernailIdentical. |
| Saka | Paa | Foot |
| Gurong | Binti | Leg |
| Tumeng | Tuhod | Knee |
| Tian | Tiyan | Belly / stomachNear-identical. |
| Puso | Puso | HeartIdentical. |
| Dalem | Atay | Liver |
| Dara | Dugo | Blood |
| Tulang | Buto | BoneA trap: Tagalog tulang means 'poem'. The Tagalog for bone is buto. |
| Lasag | Laman | Flesh / meat |
| Kudilpending review | Balat | Skin |
Animals
Everyday creatures, and a few that trip people up.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ayop | Hayop | Animal |
| Aso | Aso | DogIdentical. |
| Billit | Ibon | Bird |
| Lames | Isda | Fish (the animal)Ikan is the word you will meet on a menu; lames is the creature. |
| Uleg | Ahas | Snake |
| Igges | Bulate | Worm |
| Kuto | Kuto | LouseIdentical. |
| Ipus | Buntot | Tail |
| Dutdut | Balahibo | Feather |
| Sara | Sungay | Horn |
Nature & weather
Sun, rain, rivers and trees.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Aldaw | Araw | SunIlocano aldaw and Tagalog araw both mean sun and day. Context decides. |
| Bulan | Buwan | MoonIn both languages the word for moon is also the word for month. |
| Bituen | Bituin | StarNear-identical. |
| Langit | Langit | SkyIdentical. |
| Ulep | Ulap | Cloud |
| Angep | Hamog | Fog |
| Uran | Ulan | RainThe d/r/l correspondence again — uran against ulan. |
| Angin | Hangin | Wind |
| Apoy | Apoy | FireIdentical. |
| Asok | Usok | Smoke |
| Dapo | Abo | AshBoth languages named the colour grey after this word. |
| Karayan | Ilog | River |
| Danaw | Lawa | Lake |
| Baybay | Dagat | Sea |
| Bantay | Bundok | MountainA false friend: Tagalog bantay means 'guard' or 'to watch'. |
| Bato | Bato | StoneIdentical. |
| Darat | Buhangin | Sand |
| Daga | Lupa | Earth / soilCareful: Tagalog daga means 'rat'. |
| Kayo | Puno | TreeTagalog kahoy means wood, and Ilocano kayo covers both tree and wood. |
| Bakir | Gubat | Forest |
| Bulong | Dahon | Leaf |
| Ramot | Ugat | Root |
| Sabong | Bulaklak | Flower |
| Bunga | Bunga | Fruit (of a tree)Identical. Prutas is the everyday word for fruit you eat. |
| Bin-i | Binhi | Seed |
| Ruot | Damo | Grass |
Everyday verbs
The actions that carry most sentences.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Aginom | Uminom | To drink |
| Mangan | Kumain | To eat |
| Maturog | Matulog | To sleep |
| Agmagna | Maglakad | To walk |
| Umay | Pumunta | To come |
| Agtugaw | Umupo | To sit |
| Tumakder | Tumayo | To stand |
| Agidda | Humiga | To lie down |
| Makita | Makita | To seeIdentical. |
| Agdengngeg | Makinig | To hear / listen |
| Ammo | Alam | To knowSeen in Diak ammo — I don't know. |
| Agpanunot | Mag-isip | To think |
| Agsao | Magsabi | To say / speak |
| Agkanta | Kumanta | To sing |
| Agay-ayam | Maglaro | To play |
| Kumatawa | Tumawa | To laugh |
| Aganges | Huminga | To breathe |
| Agbiag | Mabuhay | To liveAgbiag ti Ilocano — long live the Ilocano — is a common toast and slogan. |
| Aglangoy | Lumangoy | To swimCognates. |
| Agtayab | Lumipad | To flyThe root tayab gives pagpatayaban, the Ilocano word for airport. |
| Agited | Magbigay | To give |
| Agiggem | Humawak | To hold |
| Agbuggo | Maghugas | To wash |
| Agpunas | Magpunas | To wipeNear-identical. |
| Agguyod | Humila | To pull |
| Agduron | Magtulak | To push |
| Agitali | Magtali | To tieNear-identical. |
| Agdait | Manahi | To sew |
| Agbilang | Magbilang | To countNear-identical. |
| Agkali | Maghukay | To dig |
| Putiden | Putulin | To cutCognates. |
| Matinnag | Mahulog | To fall |
| Agayus | Umagos | To flow |
| Agpuor | Masunog | To burn |
| Agbuteng | Matakot | To be afraid |
Describing things
Size, temperature, condition and quality.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Dakkel | Malaki | Big |
| Bassit | Maliit | Small |
| Atiddog | Mahaba | Long |
| Ababa | Maikli | Short |
| Nalawa | Malawak | WideCognates. |
| Akikid | Makitid | Narrow |
| Napuskol | Makapal | Thick |
| Naingpis | Manipis | Thin |
| Nadagsen | Mabigat | Heavy |
| Nabara | Mainit | Warm / hot |
| Nalamiis | Malamig | ColdNalam-ek is the other common Ilocano form. |
| Napno | Puno | Full |
| Baro | Bago | NewCognates. Ilocos Norte's Batac and the barong shirt share this root. |
| Daan | Luma | Old (of things)A false friend: Tagalog daan means 'road' or 'hundred'. |
| Naimbag | Mabuti | GoodNasayaat is the other common form. This is the word in every Ilocano greeting. |
| Dakes | Masama | Bad |
| Narugit | Marumi | Dirty |
| Nalinteg | Tuwid | Straight |
| Nagtimbukel | Bilog | Round |
| Natadem | Matalas | Sharp |
| Nabasa | Basa | WetWatch this one: Tagalog basa is both 'wet' and 'to read', told apart by stress. |
| Namaga | Tuyo | Dry |
| Umno | Tama | Correct |
| Adu | Marami | Many |
| Amin | Lahat | All |
| Sabali | Iba | Other / different |
Question words
Who, what, where, when and how — including the saan trap.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Sino | Sino | WhoIdentical. Siasino is the fuller Ilocano form. |
| Ania | Ano | What |
| Sadino | Saan | WhereThe classic trap. Tagalog saan means 'where'; Ilocano saan means 'not'. |
| Kaano | Kailan | When |
| Kasano | Paano | How |
| Ditoy | Dito | HereNear-identical. |
| Sadiay | Doon | There |
| Nagan | Pangalan | Name |
| Ken | At | And |
| No | Kung | IfA false friend for English speakers — Ilocano no means 'if', not 'no'. Ilocano for 'no' is haan. |
Words that trap you
These exist in both languages but mean different things. They are where confident readers get caught, and where machine translation is least reliable.
- bagahigh risk
- In Ilocano
- Red.
- In Tagalog
- An ember, or a lung. Never the colour.
The engine tends to pass this through unchanged, so a reader sees a real word in their own language carrying an unrelated meaning.
- saanhigh risk
- In Ilocano
- No, not — an alternative to haan.
- In Tagalog
- Where.
An Ilocano answering 'no' and a Tagalog speaker hearing 'where' is the single most common misunderstanding between the two.
- apohigh risk
- In Ilocano
- A respectful title for an elder or person of authority — roughly 'sir' or 'ma'am'.
- In Tagalog
- A grandchild.
A generation apart in either direction — the Ilocano term addresses an elder, the Tagalog one names a grandchild.
- dayahigh risk
- In Ilocano
- Blood.
- In Tagalog
- Deceit, cheating.
Medical or ritual context makes this one genuinely hazardous to get wrong.
- dagahigh risk
- In Ilocano
- Land, soil, the ground.
- In Tagalog
- A rat.
Both are ordinary nouns that turn up in ordinary sentences, and nothing in the grammar signals which one is meant. Buying land and buying a rat are differently priced.
- utothigh risk
- In Ilocano
- A rat.
- In Tagalog
- A fart.
The Ilocano word is an everyday animal and the Tagalog word is not something you want in a sentence about your kitchen.
- bantay
- In Ilocano
- A mountain.
- In Tagalog
- A guard; to watch over.
Place names carry it: Bantay in Ilocos Sur is not a town named after a guard.
- init
- In Ilocano
- The sun.
- In Tagalog
- Heat; hot.
Same underlying idea, different part of speech, and machine translation mixes the two freely.
- sabong
- In Ilocano
- A flower.
- In Tagalog
- Cockfighting.
An unusually wide gap for two languages spoken on the same island — a flower in one, a bloodsport in the other.
- tawa
- In Ilocano
- A window.
- In Tagalog
- Laughter.
Ilocano tawa is a window; Tagalog tawa is laughter. Both are common enough that the collision is not a curiosity.
- daan
- In Ilocano
- Old, of a thing.
- In Tagalog
- A road; also 'hundred'.
Tagalog daan is a road; almost everywhere else it means old. Directions and descriptions get swapped.
How often the machine gets these right
We ran all 411 translatable entries in our Ilocano↔Tagalog phrasebook through the same engine this site uses, and compared each result against the human-checked Tagalog. Categories are our own; the comparison ignores punctuation and casing.
Machine output matched or came close to the human Tagalog for 58.9% of 411 phrases. The rest were partly or entirely wrong.
Least reliable
- Family & people33%
- Understanding33%
- Introductions33%
- Courtesy44%
- Food & eating48%
Most reliable
- Colours86%
- Time & days77%
- Feelings75%
It returns the Ilocano unchanged and calls it a translation
The most damaging failure, because nothing signals it went wrong. When the engine does not recognise an Ilocano word it echoes the input. Ten of our test phrases came back identical to what went in despite having a perfectly ordinary Tagalog equivalent.
| Input | What it returned | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Haan | Haan | Hindino |
| Danom | Danom | Tubigwater |
| Ikan | Ikan | Isdafish |
| Manu? | Manu? | Magkano?how much? |
| Baga | Baga | Pulared |
| Babbai | Babbai | Babaewomen |
If the output looks like the input, it almost certainly failed. A further 17 words in our set were identical in both languages legitimately — 'lima', 'pito', 'itlog', 'kape' — so identical output is not proof of failure on its own.
It routes through English and picks the wrong sense
The engine has little direct Ilocano↔Tagalog training data, so it pivots through English. Where the English word is ambiguous, the wrong sense gets carried into Tagalog.
| Input | What it returned | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Kannawan | Gamit ang karapatan | Kananright (direction) → English 'right' → Tagalog 'karapatan', a legal right |
| Dalan | Subaybayan | Daanroad → 'track' → 'to monitor' |
| Asawa | Kasal | Asawaspouse → 'married' → 'wedding' |
We assumed a full sentence would rescue the right sense, and then measured it. It does not: longer input scored no better than single words going into Tagalog, and worse going into Ilocano. Check the output instead of trusting context to fix it.
It adds words that were never in the source
Short greetings sometimes come back with filler the original did not contain.
| Input | What it returned | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Naimbag nga bigat. Kumusta ka? | Magandang umaga, guys. kamusta ka na? | Magandang umaga. Kumusta ka?'guys' has no counterpart anywhere in the Ilocano |
Read the output for length. If it is noticeably longer than the source, something was invented.
It shifts formality without warning
Kinship and courtesy terms come back in a different register than the source, which matters in a language where address terms carry respect.
| Input | What it returned | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Tatang | Ama | Tataywarm/familiar 'dad' becomes formal 'father' |
| Diak kayat | ayoko | Ayaw kocontracted to a casual spoken form |
Have output checked by a speaker before using it in anything formal or public.
Sources
- Ilocano phrasebook — Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed 2026-07-26.
- 52 Useful Ilocano Words & Phrases to Learn for Travelers — Chill and Travel. Accessed 2026-07-26.
Last updated 2026-07-26. 12 entries are marked “pending review” — carried on general reference and awaiting confirmation from a native speaker.