It used to be that the only people interested in knowing idioms in Tagalog were Filipino or at least living in the Philippines. These days, things have changed considerably. The U.S. State Department reports that there are about four million Americans of Philippine ancestry in the United States. Most of these American speak English as well as their native Filipino dialect, which, in most cases is Tagalog. Learning a few idioms in Tagalog, is as great way to share some fun conversation with a Filipino.
Whether you're trying to connect with co-workers, get along with your fellow students, or find a common thread with your new neighbors, familiarizing yourself with some idioms in Tagalog can break the tension.
Here are some Tagalog idioms to get you started winning hearts and minds in your Filipino community.
These are just a few of the Tagalog idioms. A broader review of many of the most popular Filipino idioms is available here on YourDictionary. If you're interested in further expanding your vocabulary, many of the educational websites such as the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University also provide listings of Tagalog idioms.
Unlike the more positive idioms listed above, these are some of the more popular idioms for casting a negative impression about someone:
Insist that you're a magaan ang dugo when you hear these idioms and you might stand a better chance of making it through these slanderous idioms on a positive note.
If you keep an open mind, you'll find that people will meet your slight knowledge of Tagalog idioms with smiles. Everyone finds it charming when a non-native speaker knows a few idioms in their language. It could be the beginning of a beautiful lifelong friendship.
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