Category Archives: Talk Tagalog Podcast

Basic Conversation 01 – How Are You? | Speaking Exercises

Difficulty Level: Maralita (Absolute Beginner)

How are you?” is the cornerstone of every human conversation. Isn’t a good conversation after all about discovering something about the person you’re talking with.

Native Tagalog Speakers: Jet & Dash Continue reading Basic Conversation 01 – How Are You? | Speaking Exercises

Basic Greetings 01 – Good Morning | Speaking Exercises

Difficulty LevelMaralita (Absolute Beginner)

It starts with a “Good morning!” and ends with a “Bye.” Learn the most basic Tagalog greetings and then at the end learn to say goodbye in this absolutely beginner-friendly lesson.

Native Tagalog Speakers: Jet & Dash Continue reading Basic Greetings 01 – Good Morning | Speaking Exercises

Animals – List 03 | Vocabulary

Difficulty LevelMaralita (Absolute Beginner)

This is a continuation of Animals – List 02. Find a number of our feathered friends on this list, both domestic and wild.

Once you are done with this list, hop on over the Animals – List 04.

Native Tagalog Speakers: Jet & Dash Continue reading Animals – List 03 | Vocabulary

Animals – List 02 | Vocabulary

Difficulty Level: Maralita (Absolute Beginner)

This is a continuation of Animals – List 01. Find the King of the Jungle and other iconic forest favorites in this list.

Once you’ve mastered the animals here, feel free to move up to Animals – List 03.

Native Tagalog Speakers: Jet & Dash Continue reading Animals – List 02 | Vocabulary

Animals – List 01 | Vocabulary

Difficulty Level: Maralita (Absolute Beginner)

There is a reason why when studying foreign languages one of the first vocabulary words studied are animals. Studies have shown that the human brain is hardwired to easily remember animals. A throwback from our evolutionary past, perhaps. Continue reading Animals – List 01 | Vocabulary

Counting From 1 to 10 in Tagalog | Vocabulary – Numbers

Difficulty Level: Maralita (Absolute Beginner)

Counting from 1 to 10 is a fundamental exercise for every language learner. By practicing your numbers, not only are you learning something you can use everyday, but you’re practicing pronunciation in the language as well. Continue reading Counting From 1 to 10 in Tagalog | Vocabulary – Numbers

Talk Tagalog | James and Angel: Episode 5: Buying Fruits at the Market

James and Angel are at the market together. They buy fruits commonly found in the Philippines.

Tagalog Transcript:
James : Mabuti naman na nasamahan mo ako sa palengke ngayon. Salamat ha, Angel.
Angel : Walang anuman James. May gusto rin kasing ipabili ang nanay ko na mga prutas.
James : Bibili rin ako ng prutas. Mahilig kasi ako sa masustansyang pagkain.
Angel : Eto o, ang lalaki ng saging. Hinog na siya, kasi dilaw na.
James : Gusto ko naman ang mansanas na ‘to, yung mga kulay pula.
Angel : Kuha din tayo ng ponkan. Siguradong magugustuhan ito ng nanay ko. Mura pa yung presyo niya.
James : Paano kaya itong langka? Medyo mahal siya ngayon pero matagal na ako hindi nakakakain ng langka.
Angel : Sulit na siguro ‘yan sa presyo niya. Uy, bili din tayo ng pinya, pero patalop muna natin sa tindera.
James : Oo, mahirapan kasi gawin ‘yan ng tama… yung tinatanggal mo yung mata ng paikot.
Angel: Nagbilin pala nanay ko bumili ng papaya. Kuha tayo ng berde, para gamitin ng mama ko sa tinola.
James: Tamang-tama, bibili din kasi ako ng papaya. Pero yung pahinog pa lang, kasi hindi ko siya agad makakain.
Angel : Uy, ito oh, ang laki ng pakwan. Baka hindi namin maubos to.
James : Ipahati na lang natin sa dalawa, para parehong tayong meron.
Angel: Matamis kaya siya?
James: Sa palagay ko matamis siya.
Angel: Tara, patimbang na natin ito.

English Translation:
James : It’s great you were able to accompany me to the market today. Thanks a lot, Angel.
Angel : You’re welcome James. My mom asked me to to buy her some fruits for her, anyway.
James : I’ll be buying fruits too. I’m fond of eating healthy food.
Angel : Here, these bananas are big. They’re ripe already, since they’re yellow.
James : I want these apples, the red ones.
Angel : Let’s get these Ponkan oranges too. My mom will like them for sure.They’re pretty cheap too.
James : How about this jackfruits? They’re a little expensive now but I haven’t had jackfruit in a while.
Angel : I think it’s worth it’s price. Hey, let’s buy some pineapples, but let’s let the vendor lady peel it.
James : Yes, it’s quite difficult to do it right… carving out all those “eyes” in a spiral.
Angel : My mom asked me to buy some papayas. Let’s get a green one, since we’ll use them for chicken broth.
James : It just so happens I’m going to buy a papaya too. But I’m going to get one that’s just about to ripen, since I won’t get to eat it at once.
Angel : Hey, look at how huge this watermelon is. I don’t think we’d be able to eat it all up.
James : Let ask them to cut it into halves, so both of us will have some.
Angel : Do you think it’s sweet.
James: I think it’s sweet.
Angel : Come on, let’s have it weighed.

Talk Tagalog | James and Angel: Episode 4 – Filipino Food Dining Out

James and Angel are eating together in a restaurant. They order popular Filipino dishes.

Tagalog Transcript:
James : Angel, parang ang sarap ng pagkain sa restaurant na ‘to.
Angel : Oo nga James. Salamat sa pagdala mo sakin dito, ha.
James : Ano ang gusto mong kainin?
Angel : Mahilig ako sa gulay, lalo na ‘pag sariwang-sariwa.
James : Ako rin. Pero samahan natin ng karne.
Angel : Sige. Ako naman, gusto ko ng isda, pritong tilapia.
James : Miss ko nang kumain ng sinigang na baboy.
Angel: Oo masarap ‘pag may sabaw. Subukan din natin yung nilagang baka nila.
James : Dagdagan na rin natin ng adobong manok.
Angel : ‘Wag din natin kalimutan magorder ng panghimagas.
James: Siyempre naman. May leche flan at halo-halo sila.
Angel: Anong drinks mo? Soft drinks or ice tea?
James: Tubig na lang siguro ako. Sayo?
Angel: Gusto ko mag-mango juice.
James : At siyempre, dapat may kanin. Mageextra rice ako.
Angel : Uy! Ano ba ito? Sa dami ng pinaplano nating orderin, baka hindi natin maubos.
James: Oo. Mukhang fiesta na ang kalalabasan nito.
Angel: Tara tawagin na natin ang waiter.
James: Waiter!

English Translation:
James : Angel, it seems like the food in this restauramt is really good.
Angel : You’re right, James. Thanks for bringing me here.
James : What do you want to eat?
Angel : I’m fond of veggies, especially if they’re really fresh.
James : Me too. But let’s have some meat too.
Angel : Sure. As for me, I want some fish – fried tilapia.
James : I miss eating pork tamarind soup.
Angel : Yeah, its great when there’s soup. Let’s try the beef soup as well.
James : And let’s add some chicken adobo.
Angel : Ang don’t forget to order dessert.
James : Of course we should. They have custard cake and halo-halo.
Angel : What are you having to drink? Soft drinks or iced tea?
James : I’ll just have water, perhaps. And you?
Angel : I want to have some mango juice.
James: And of course, we must have rice. I’m going to have an extra serving of rice.
Angel: Hey, what’s happening here. With everything we plan on ordering, I don’t think we’ll finish everything.
James : Yup. It looks like we’re going to have a fiesta.
Angel: Come on. Let’s call the waiter.
James: Waiter!

Talk Tagalog | James and Angel: Episode 3 – Pursuing Your Dreams

James and Angel unexpectedly bump into each other at the University. They talk about their future plans.

Tagalog Transcript:
Angel : James? Ikaw ‘yan?
James : Angel, ako nga. Dito ka rin pala naka-enrol?
Angel : Ay, oo. Pangalawang taon ko na dito. Nursing ang course ko.
James : Galing, ah! Ako naman Mechanical Engineering ang kinukuha ko. Halika, upo muna tayo.
Angel : Sige. Mamaya pa naman ang sunod kong klase.
James : Ako, tapos na ang huling klase ko sa araw na ‘to.
Angel : Anong year ka na?
James : Third year na ako. Pagiging nurse pala ang pangarap mo.
Angel : Nurse kasi mama ko. Kaya bata pa lang ako, yun din ang naging gusto ko.
James : Yung tatay ko naman nag-abroad para magtrabaho bilang mekaniko.
Angel : Mag aabroad ka rin?
James : Balak ko sana magtayo kami ng negosyo nila Papa dito sa Pilipinas.
Angel : Sana matupad ang mga pangarap natin, James.
James : Basta magtiyatiyaga tayo, sigurado ako malayo ang mararating natin.
Angel : Kaya kailangan natin pagbutihin ang pagaaral natin.
James : Tama ka, Angel.
Angel : O, paano? Kailangan ko na mauna. May klase pa ako.
James : Uwi na rin ako para magaral. Magkita-kita na lang tayo sa sunod.

English Translation:
Angel : James? Is that you?
James : Yes it’s me, Angel. You’re enrolled her too?
Angel : Oh, yes. It’s my second year here. My course is nursing.
James : That’s great! As for me, I’m taking Mechanical Engineering. Come on, let’s sit down for a while.
Angel : Sure. My next class is still later.
James : As for me, my last class for today has ended.
Angel : What year are you in?
James : I’m on my third year already. I didn’t know you want to be a nurse.
Angel : My mom’s a nurse. That’s why even as a child, that’s what also what I’ve wanted to be.
James : As for my dad, he went abroad to work as a mechanic.
Angel : Will you be going abroad too?
James : I plan to put up a business with my dad here in the Philippines.
Angel : I hope our dreams will come true, James.
James : As long as we work hard, I’m sure we’re going to get somewhere.
Angel : That’s why we have to do well with our studies.
James : That’s right, Angel.
Angel : So, what do say? I’ve got to go. I’ve still got a class.
James : I’ll be going home to study. See you next time around.