Here are some beginner phrases for individuals or tourists looking to learn Ilocano. These phrases are especially helpful for those who want to acquire basic and commonly used Ilocano expressions before visiting the Philippines.

Included are greetings for meeting new people, essential traveler phrases useful for asking for directions to navigate local areas or when seeking accommodation at hotels. Additionally, learn phrases related to time, days, and most importantly, numbers in Ilocano, which are essential for daily communication.

If you require the meanings of additional phrases, you can also use the English To Ilocano Translation tool, which promptly converts English words, sentences, and phrases into Ilocano for FREE.

Greetings and Pleasantries in Ilocano

Learning phrases associated with greetings and pleasantries is crucial for cultivating positive interactions in any language. Polite expressions like "Agyamanak" (Thank you) and "Awan ti ania" (You're welcome), coupled with phrases such as "Pakawanem" (Excuse me) and "Maimbag nga aldaw" (Have a good day), play a vital role in facilitating daily conversations with courtesy and respect. Following phrases not only enhance communication but also contribute to a harmonious exchange of pleasantries in the language.

  1. Hello.
    Hello.
  2. Thank you.
    Aagyaman.
  3. You're welcome.
    Awan ti ania.
  4. Excuse me.
    Pakawanem.
  5. How are you?
    Kumusta kan?
  6. What is your name? / My name is Sampaguita
    Ania ti naganmo? / Manny ti naganko.
  7. Good Morning.
    Naimbag a bigat.
  8. Good Afternoon.
    Naimbag a malem.
  9. Good Evening.
    Naimbag a rabii.
  10. Good Night.
    Naimbag a panagturog.
  11. Have a good day.
    Maimbag nga aldaw.
  12. See you later.
    Agkita ta inton damdama.
  13. Good Bye.
    Agpakadan.

Basic Ilocano Phrases for Travellers

If you intend to visit the Philippines, where Ilocano is widely spoken, you may find it necessary to inquire about general matters such as pricing, directions, and places to eat and access transportation. In such situations, the following phrases will prove useful and convenient

  1. Do you speak English?
    Agsasaoka kadi iti Ingles?
  2. I don't speak Ilocano well.
    Diak makasao iti Ilocano a nalaing.
  3. I don't understand.
    Saan ko a maawatan.
  4. Please speak slowly.
    Pangngaasiyo ta agsaokayo nga in-inut.
  5. Please say it again.
    Pangngaasiyo ta ibagayo manen.
  6. Where are the restrooms?
    Sadino ti ayan dagiti restroom?
  7. How do I get to market?
    Kasano a makadanonak iti merkado?
  8. Left.
    Kannigid.
  9. Right.
    Kusto.
  10. Straight ahead.
    Diretso iti sango.
  11. Can I change money?
    Mabalinko kadi ti agsukat iti kuarta?
  12. How much is this?
    Mano daytoy?
  13. It's too expensive.
    Nangina unay dayta.
  14. Do you have rooms available?
    Adda kadi kuarto a magun-odam?
  15. I am hungry.
    Mabisinanak.

Pronouns in Ilocano

Pronouns are essential in signaling subjects, objects, and possessives within sentences, thus maintaining clarity and respect during conversations. Understanding a use of pronouns appropriately not only demonstrates cultural sensitivity but also helps in establishing a harmonious and trusting relationship with native speakers.

  1. I, We, Our
    Ako, Kami / Dakami, Kami ti / Ti ami
  2. You (Singular)
    Ikaw / Ka
  3. You (Plural)
    Kayo / Dakayo
  4. Them (Singular)
    Daytoy / Dayta
  5. Them (Plural)
    Daydiay / Daytoy dagiti
  6. This (Singular)
    Daytoy
  7. This (Plural)
    Daydiay
  8. That (Singular)
    Dayta
  9. That (Daydiay)
    Daydiay

Clock Basic in Ilocano

Learning phrases related to basic clock terms can be helpful for everyday interactions, scheduling appointments, and understanding time-related discussions. Here are some basic clock terms in Ilocano along with their English translations:

  1. Hour.
    Oras.
  2. Minute.
    Minuto.
  3. Quarter past.
    Kuarter ti napalabas.
  4. Quarter to.
    Kuarter nga.
  5. Half past.
    Kagudua ti napalabas.
  6. Days.
    Aldaw.
  7. Week.
    Lawas.
  8. Month.
    Bulan.
  9. Year.
    Tawen.
  10. Now.
    Itatta.
  11. When.
    No.
  12. What time is it?
    Ania nga oras?
  13. One moment please.
    Maysa a kanito pangngaasiyo.

Time and Day in Ilocano

Learning phrases related to time and day in Ilocano enables individuals to inquire about the current time, express specific times of the day, and discuss schedules and appointments. Additionally, understanding day-related phrases allows for discussing weekdays, weekends, and planning activities accordingly.

  1. Sunday.
    Dominggo.
  2. Monday.
    Lunes.
  3. Tuesday.
    Martes.
  4. Wednesday.
    Mierkoles.
  5. Thursday.
    Huebes.
  6. Friday.
    Biernes.
  7. Saturday.
    Sabado.
  8. Morning.
    Bigat.
  9. Afternoon.
    Malem.
  10. Evening.
    Rabii.
  11. Night.
    Rabii.
  12. Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday
    Ita nga aldaw, Inton bigat, Idi kalman
  13. This Week, Next Week, Last Week
    Daytoy a Lawas, Sumaruno a Lawas, Maudi a Lawas
  14. This Month, Next Month, Last Month
    Daytoy a Bulan, Sumaruno a Bulan, Maudi a Bulan
  15. This Year, Next year, Last year
    Ita a Tawen, Sumaruno a tawen, Idi napan a tawen
  16. Now.
    Itatta.
  17. Later.
    Damdama.
  18. Before.
    Sakbay.

Months in Ilocano

Learning months related phrases enables individuals to express dates, discuss seasonal activities, plan events and honor important occasions within the Ilocano-speaking community.

  1. January.
    Enero.
  2. February.
    Pebrero.
  3. March.
    Marso.
  4. April.
    Abril.
  5. May.
    Mabalin a.
  6. June.
    Hunio.
  7. July.
    Hulio.
  8. August.
    Agosto.
  9. September.
    Setiembre.
  10. October.
    Oktubre.
  11. November.
    Nobiembre.
  12. December.
    Disiembre.

Numbers in Ilocano

Learning phrases related to numbers is fundamental for everyday interactions, whether it's counting, discussing quantities, or handling transactions. Whether negotiating prices in markets or specifying quantities in recipes, numbers are indispensable in numerous facets of daily life.

  1. 0
    0 (Sero)
  2. 1/2 (Half)
    1/2 (Kagudua)
  3. 1
    1 (Maysa)
  4. 2
    2 (Dua)
  5. 3
    3 (Tallo)
  6. 4
    4 (Uppat)
  7. 5
    5 (Lima)
  8. 6
    6 (Inem)
  9. 7
    7 (Pito)
  10. 8
    8 (Walo)
  11. 9
    9 (Siam)
  12. 10
    10 (Sangapulo)
  13. 20
    20 (Duha a pito nga pulo)
  14. 30
    30 (Tallo a pito nga pulo)
  15. 40
    40 (Uppat a pito nga pulo)
  16. 50
    50 (Lima a pito nga pulo)
  17. 60
    60 (Inem a pito nga pulo)
  18. 70
    70 (Pito a pito nga pulo)
  19. 80
    80 (Walo a pito nga pulo)
  20. 90
    90 (Siyam a pito nga pulo)
  21. 100
    100 (Sangapulo)
  22. 500
    500 (Liman nga gatus)
  23. 1000
    1000 (Sangapulo a libo)
  24. 10000
    10000 (Sangapulo a sangribo)
  25. 100000
    100000 (Sangapulo a sanggatus)
  26. One Million (1,000,000).
    Maysa a Milion (1,000,000).
  27. Less.
    Basbassit.
  28. More.
    Ad-adu pay.
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