How to talk in the Philippines

filipino-style

5 months ago

Advice to visit Philippines.

Transcript

00:00If you are visiting the Philippines, you should know this.

00:02Imagine you've just landed in the Philippines.

00:04You're trying to be polite.

00:06Someone asks you a question.

00:08You smile and say, yes, but you get a strange look.

00:11Or you say, thank you, and the response feels a little flat.

00:15What did you miss?

00:16You missed two of the most important words in the entire Filipino language.

00:20Words that go beyond please and thank you.

00:23Today, we're cracking the code on po and opo.

00:26So what are they?

00:27Simply put, a po and opo are politeness markers.

00:31Think of them as a sir or ma'am, but woven directly into the sentences.

00:35Let's break it down.

00:36First, opo.

00:37Opo literally means yes sir or yes ma'am.

00:40It's the polite, formal way to say yes.

00:42The everyday, casual yes is ooh, oh oh.

00:46And then there's po.

00:47Po is a particle you add to other words and sentences to make them polite.

00:51It doesn't have a direct translation, but its feeling is pure respect.

00:55Let's see it in action.

00:56Imagine an auntie asks if you've eaten yet.

00:58A very common Filipino question.

01:01Now, here's the casual and slightly rude response.

01:05Ooh.

01:06Now, let's try that again with respect.

01:10See the difference?

01:12It's huge.

01:14Opo acknowledges their age and your respect for them.

01:17So, for a respectful yes, opo is your go-to word.

01:21Okay, now for po.

01:23This is the magic word you can sprinkle into almost any sentence.

01:26Let's do a lightning round.

01:28Thank you is salamat.

01:30Salamat po.

01:31Good morning is magandang umaga.

01:33Magandang umaga po.

01:34How much is magkano?

01:35Magkano po.

01:36Goodbye is paalam.

01:38Paalam po.

01:39Even a simple no becomes respectful.

01:42No is hindi.

01:43But if your boss asks if you're finished, you don't just say hindi.

01:46You say, hindi pa po.

01:48It softens the entire interaction.

01:51So, who do you use this with?

01:52It's simple.

01:53Think age and authority.

01:55Use po-opo with elders like parents, grandparents, anyone older.

02:00Authority figures like teachers, bosses, officials, strangers, as a sign of initial respect,

02:06and with customers.

02:07Now, here's a pro tip.

02:09Sometimes, an older person might say this to you.

02:12Wag ka nang magpo.

02:13Meaning, don't use po with me.

02:16This is a gift.

02:17It means they see you as a peer or family.

02:20They're telling you to relax and speak casually.

02:22It's a sign of warmth and acceptance.

02:24But why is this so important?

02:26Because po and opo are more than just words.

02:30They are the sound of a culture built on pakikipagkapwa tao,

02:33of seeing yourself in others and treating everyone with dignity.

02:36It's a culture that deeply values family, community, and the wisdom of its elders.

02:41When you use po and opo, you're not just being polite.

02:45You're showing that you see, understand, and respect one of the most beautiful parts of the Filipino identity.

02:51So, next time you're in the Philippines, give it a try.

02:54A simple salamat po can open doors and create genuine connections.

02:58It shows you're not just a tourist.

03:00You're a respectful guest.

03:01Have you ever used po or opo?

03:04Or have a story about learning a cultural custom the hard way?

03:07Share it in the comments below.

03:09And don't forget to subscribe for more insights into the amazing culture of the Philippines.

03:14Salamat po and see you in the next video.

How to talk in the Philippines

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