Polite Speech

For this example, we will focus on the greetings 「Kumusta/Kamusta」 (“How do you do?” or “How are you?”). Because language etiquette varies across the country, we are looking instead at how respect shifts across social circles.

Deep Respect

When speaking to an elder, a stranger, or someone of higher status, we use pronouns like 「sila/nila」 to show the utmost honor.

• Formal: 쿠뭇타 실라? (Kumusta sila?)
• Informal: 카뭇타 실라? (Kamusta sila?)

Standard Politeness

Use 「kayo」 for general politeness when addressing a group, an unfamiliar peer, or someone you are not close with yet.

• Formal: 쿠뭇타 카요? (Kumusta kayo?)
• Informal: 카뭇타 카요? (Kamusta kayo?)

Semi-polite

When checking in on friends, classmates, or someone lower in an organizational hierarchy, such as an assistant or a student, adding 「naman」—or 「na」, depending on context—makes your greeting polite yet warm and friendly.

• Formal: 쿠뭇타 나만? (Kumusta naman?)
• Informal: 카뭇타 나? (Kamusta na?)

Casual

When talking to close friends, peers, or relatives, our voices naturally soften. Notice how the formal spelling changes to a relaxed 코 (ko) sound in everyday use to mirror real, casual speech!

• Formal: 쿠뭇타 카? (Kumusta ka?)
• Formal, relaxed: 코뭇타 카? (Komusta ka?)
• Informal: 카뭇타 카? (Kamusta ka?)

Quick, Passing Greetings

Use these short forms when briefly passing by your closest friends or relatives.

• Formal: 쿠뭇타? (Kumusta?)
• Formal, relaxed: 코뭇타? (Komusta?)
• Informal: 카뭇타? (Kamusta?)

Where is 「po」?

The words 「po」 and 「opo」 are specific to the Tagalog language, not pan-Philippine orthography. Adult Filipinos across the archipelago show deep respect through honorific pronouns and tone without ever needing 「po」 and 「opo」.