How to Speak Tagalog

Lesson 11 Sharing your Christian Faith

In the Philippines, sharing your religious faith or personal conviction is not a personal offense, especially if you focus on positive aspects of faith. American missionaries, fulltime or visiting, are still welcome. Many second- and third-generation Filipino immigrants in America go back to the Philippines for sentimental reasons, trying to find connection with their roots. Because most Filipinos in the Philippines do not understand American politics, Filipino-American tourists find religion to be a friendlier topic.

Here are religious expressions that will likely endear you to believers across denominations.

1. ABOUT GOD

Mahal ka ng Diyos.
God loves you. (singular)

Mahal kayo ng Diyos.
God loves you. (plural)

Mahal tayo ng Diyos.
God loves us.

Mahal sila ng Diyos.
God loves them.

Tinatawag ka ng Diyos.
God is calling you. (singular)

Tinatawag kayo ng Diyos.
God is calling you. (plural)

Tinatawag tayo ng Diyos.
God is calling us.

Binabantayan tayo ng Diyos.
God is watching us.

Mabuti ang Diyos.
God is good.

Mabait ang Diyos.
God is kind.

Purihin ang Diyos.
God be praised.

Magtiwala tayo sa Diyos.
Let us trust in God.

Umasa tayo sa Diyos.
Let us hope in God.

Manalangin tayo sa Diyos.
Let us pray to God.

Humiling tayo sa Diyos.
Let us request God.

Tumawag tayo sa Diyos.
Let us call on God.

May-awa ang Diyos sa atin.
God is merciful to us.

Mabait ang Diyos sa atin.
God is kind to us.

Nakikinig ang Diyos sa atin.
God is listening to us.

Naghihintay ang Diyos sa atin.
God is waiting for us.

Diyos ay pag-ibig.
God is love.
This is a Pilipino construct. Pilipino is a national language created by Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (Institute of National Language). It is Tagalog in origin but the grammar was reconstructed to match the subject-predicate structure of the English language. Although all Filipinos are required to study Pilipino in school, they continue to converse using the predicate-subject structure of Tagalog at home and day-to-day business. I will explain about Pilipino as language in future lessons. - RC

Pag-ibig ang Diyos.
God is love.
This is the Tagalog construct of "God is love."

Matiisin ang Diyos.
God is patient.

Hindi natutulog ang Diyos.
God does not sleep.

Nagpapatawad ang Diyos.
God forgives.

Mahal ko ang Diyos.
I love God.

Mahal natin ang Diyos.
We love God.

Magtiwala tayo sa Diyos.
Let us trust in God.

Mahal nila ang Diyos.
They love God.

2. ABOUT CHURCH.

Iglesya tayo ng Diyos.
We are God's church.

Tagasunod tayo ng Diyos.
We are God's followers.

Ang iglesya ang katawan ni Kristo.
The church is the body of Christ.

Saan ka nagsisimba?
Where is your church?

Katoliko ba kayo? (plural or singular but respectful)
Kataliko ka ba? (singular)
Are you Roman Catholic?

Oo, Katoliko kami.
Yes, we are Roman Catholic.

Hindi kami Katoliko.
We are not Roman Catholic.

Katoliko ako.
I am Roman Catholic.

When asking someone about his denomination, you will sound friendlier if you ask in plural instead of singular construct. Asking someone's religion in singular construct could make someone defensive. If a person chooses to say "We are ..." instead of "I am ...," it is better not to pry. Rather, let the person volunteer his personal faith if it is different from that of his family.

Protestante ba kayo? (plural or singular but respectful)
Protestante ka ba? (singular)
Are you Protestant?

Oo, Protestante kami.
Yes, we are Protestant.

Hindi kami Protestante.
We are not Protestants.

Protestante ako.
I am Protestant.

Ebanghelico ba kayo? (plural or singular but respectful)
Ebanghelico ka ba? (singular)
Are you Evangelical?

Pentecostal ba kayo? (plural or singular but respectful)
Pentecostal ka ba? (singular)
Are you Pentecostal?

Oo, Pentekostal kami.
Yes, we are Pentecostal.

Hindi kami Pentekostal.
We are not Pentecostal.

Pentecostal ako.
I am Pentecostal.

Sabadista ba kayo? (plural or singular but respectful)
Sabadista ka ba? (singular)
Are you Seventh Day Adventist?

Oo, Sabadista kami.
Yes, we are Adventist.

Hindi kami Sabadista.
We are not Adventist.

Sabadista ako.
I am Adventist.

Iglesia ni Kristo ba kayo

Iglesia ni Kristo ba kayo? (plural or singular but respectful)
Iglesia ni Kristo ka ba? (singular)
Are you Iglesia ni Kristo?

Oo, Iglesia ni Kristo kami.
Yes, we are Iglesia ni Kristo.

Hindi kami Iglesia ni Kristo.
We are not Iglesia ni Kristo.

Iglesia ni Kristo ako.
I am Iglesia ni Kristo.

3. ABOUT GOD'S PEOPLE

Magmahalan tayo.
Let us love one another.

Magtulungan tayo.
Let us help one another.

Magbigayan tayo.
Let us give to one another.

Maglingkod tayo sa Diyos.
Let us serve God.

Maglingkod tayo sa kapwa tao.
Let us serve our fellow man.

Kailangan nila ang tulong natin.
They need our help.

Kailangan natin ang tulong nila.
We need their help.

Sama-sama tayong gumawa.
Let us work together.

Sama-sama tayong magpahinga.
Let us rest together.

Sama-sama tayong manalangin.
Let us pray together.

Magpatawaran tayo sa isat-isa.
Let us forgive each other.

Kalimutan natin ang nakaraan.
Let us forget the past.

Sama-sama, pupunta tayong lahat sa langit.
Together, we will all go to heaven.

Pinatawad tayo ng Diyos dahil kay Kristo.
God has forgiven us because of Christ.

Manampalataya tayo kay Kristo.
Let us believe in Christ.

Magtiwala tayo kay Kristo.
Let us trust in Christ.

Tanggapin mo si Hesu Kristo ngayon.
Receive Jesus Christ now. (singular)

Tanggapin ninyo si Hesu Kristo ngayon.
Receive Jesus Christ now. (plural)

Gusto mo bang tanggapin si Hesu Kristo?
Do you want to receive Jesus Christ?

Although Filipinos are not offended by discussing religion or personal faith, be careful about abusing friendship and hospitality. Filipinos take religion seriously. They may listen to what you are saying, and appreciate your sincerity, but they do not appreciate any sign of arrogance. Present your faith because you are a caring friend, not because you think you are superior, and you will be appreciated.

Tama ba ang sinabi ko?
Did I say it right?
If you smile after you say this, your mistakes will be forgiven.

About Ray Colorado

Ray Colorado was born in the island of Mindoro, Philippines, where people speak different Filipino languages. Tagalog was his first language. He also speaks Ilocano, Bicol, English and Spanish. He learned these languages because of his father's job - Methodist Evangelist and Pastor. They moved every two years, living in places where people spoke differently. He had to learn each local language in order to survive and win new friends. He also formally studied English and Pilipino, the national language, in elementary, high school, and the University of the Philippines. He started creating Web-based Tagalog lessons in 1999. He moved to United States in 1984. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife, former Lura Eden Alampay, and their three sons Marc Dexter, Maxwell Lucas, and Hexel James. He may be reached at ray@coloradobrothers.com.