Learning how to say hello in Tagalog is the first step to connecting with Filipinos and appreciating their warm, welcoming culture. This simple greeting can open doors to friendly conversations, whether you’re visiting the Philippines, meeting new friends, or practicing the language. Knowing different ways to say hello also helps you sound more natural and respectful in various situations. It’s a small phrase, but it carries a big impact in making meaningful connections.

Say Hello in Tagalog

👋 15 Ways to Say Hello in Tagalog

No.	Tagalog Phrase	English Meaning	Context / Usage
1	Kamusta	Hello / How are you?	General, casual greeting
2	Kumusta ka?	How are you?	Friendly, informal
3	Magandang araw	Good day	Formal / polite
4	Magandang umaga	Good morning	Morning greeting
5	Magandang tanghali	Good noon	Around lunchtime
6	Magandang hapon	Good afternoon	Afternoon greeting
7	Magandang gabi	Good evening / Good night	Evening greeting
8	Hi	Hi	Casual, modern
9	Hello	Hello	Universal, common
10	O, kamusta?	Hey, how are you?	Friendly, relaxed tone
11	Musta na?	What’s up?	Informal, casual with friends
12	Hoy	Hey!	Very casual, only with close friends
13	Kamusta po kayo?	How are you? (respectful)	Formal, showing respect (to elders/strangers)
14	Magandang umaga po	Good morning (respectful)	Formal with respect
15	Long time no see, kamusta	Long time no see, how are you?	Warm, friendly catch-up greeting

Let’s explore 15 different ways to say hello in Tagalog, with real-life examples and a look into how each greeting is used across the Philippines.

1. Kamusta? (How are you?)

Origin:
Derived from the Spanish ¿Cómo está?, “Kamusta?” is the most common way to say hello in Tagalog and is used across the country.

Example:
👤 User A: Kamusta, Maria?
👤 User B: Ayos naman, ikaw?

Use: Casual and universal; suitable for most settings.

2. Magandang Umaga (Good morning)

Origin:
“Maganda” means “beautiful,” and “umaga” means “morning.” Together, they form a polite and poetic morning greeting.

Example:
👤 User A: Magandang umaga, Ma’am!
👤 User B: Magandang umaga rin!

Use: Formal or polite; used before noon.

3. Magandang Hapon (Good afternoon)

Origin:
“Hapon” means “afternoon.” This greeting follows a similar pattern to other time-based Filipino greetings.

Example:
👤 User A: Magandang hapon po, Tito.
👤 User B: Magandang hapon! Tuloy ka.

Use: Formal and respectful; used between noon and sunset.

4. Magandang Gabi (Good evening)

Origin:
“Gabi” means “night” or “evening.” This greeting is often used when arriving at someone’s house or starting a conversation after dark.

Example:
👤 User A: Magandang gabi, mga kaibigan!
👤 User B: Gabi rin sa’yo!

Use: Polite and slightly formal; used after sunset.

5. Hoy! (Hey!)

Origin:
An informal attention-grabbing word, “Hoy!” is similar to saying “Hey!” and is widely used among close friends or to call someone’s attention.

Example:
👤 User A: Hoy, nandito ka na pala!
👤 User B: Oo, kararating lang!

Use: Very informal; can be playful or a warning depending on tone.

6. Hello

Origin:
Borrowed directly from English, “Hello” is widely understood and used by Filipinos, especially in urban areas or when speaking in “Taglish” (Tagalog-English mix).

Example:
👤 User A: Hello! Kumusta ang araw mo?
👤 User B: Hello! Masaya naman, salamat.

Use: Neutral and modern; great for texting and mixed conversations.

7. Kumusta ka? (How are you?)

Origin:
A more complete version of “Kamusta?”, it includes “ka” (you), making it more personal.

Example:
👤 User A: Kumusta ka, Ana?
👤 User B: Mabuti naman, salamat!

Use: Friendly and polite.

8. O, nandiyan ka na pala! (Oh, you’re here already!)

Origin:
A uniquely Filipino greeting often used when someone arrives unexpectedly or earlier than expected.

Example:
👤 User A: O, nandiyan ka na pala!
👤 User B: Oo, napaaga ako.

Use: Warm and conversational; used in informal settings.

9. Mabuhay! (Long live!)

Origin:
From the root buhay (life), “Mabuhay!” is a celebratory greeting often used in formal occasions or to welcome guests, especially tourists.

Example:
👤 User A: Mabuhay! Welcome to the Philippines!
👤 User B: Salamat! I’m excited to be here.

Use: Ceremonial, tourist-friendly; full of Filipino pride.

10. Anong balita? (What’s the news?)

Origin:
This phrase reflects the Filipino love for storytelling and catching up with others.

Example:
👤 User A: Anong balita, pare?
👤 User B: Eto, bagong trabaho na ako!

Use: Informal and friendly.

11. Uy! (Hey!)

Origin:
A softer version of “Hoy!”, used casually among friends or to call someone gently.

Example:
👤 User A: Uy, nakita mo na ba ‘to?
👤 User B: Hala, hindi pa! Ang galing!

Use: Friendly and casual.

12. Magandang araw (Good day)

Origin:
A neutral greeting for anytime during daylight, often used in written communication or by TV/radio announcers.

Example:
👤 User A: Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat.
👤 User B: Magandang araw rin po!

Use: Formal or semi-formal; great for public speaking.

13. Eyyy! (A cheerful shout)

Origin:
Slang and internet culture have made “Eyyy!” a fun, youthful way to greet someone with excitement.

Example:
👤 User A: Eyyy, bestie!
👤 User B: Eyyy! Long time no see!

Use: Very casual; used among close friends or online chats.

14. Andiyan ka na! (You’re here!)

Origin:
A warm, welcoming phrase often used when someone enters a home or room.

Example:
👤 User A: Andiyan ka na! Halika, pasok ka.
👤 User B: Oo, kararating lang.

Use: Conversational and affectionate.

15. Tuloy ka! (Come in!)

Origin:
More than just “hello,” this phrase is a greeting and an invitation, reflecting Filipino hospitality.

Example:
👤 User A: Tuloy ka! Kumain ka na ba?
👤 User B: Salamat! Oo, kakain ulit!

Use: Spoken when someone visits your home.

Conclusion:

Mastering how to say hello in Tagalog is more than just learning a word—it’s about embracing Filipino warmth, respect, and friendliness. Whether you use a casual “Hi,” a respectful “Magandang araw,” or other local variations, your effort to greet in Tagalog will always be appreciated. It’s a simple yet powerful way to connect, build trust, and show cultural respect.