This is the static version of 할림바와 (Example) from 수랕 이나와 (Surat Inawa) | a Filipino adaption of Sejonggeul.

할림바와 (Example)

Created 2026타 05부 20앋 (07오 07구)
Updated 2026타 06부 12앋 (07오 42구)

앜다, 맄하 (Akda, Likha)

살라위카인 (Salawikain)

Surat Inawa Sulat Latin English Translation
마투통 마말뤀톹 하방 마잌읠리 앙 쿠뫁. Matutong mamaluktot habang maikli ang kumot. While the blanket is short, learn how to curl up.
앙 사킽 낭 칼링킹안, 담담 낭 부옹 카타완. Ang sakit ng kalingkingan, damdam ng buong katawan. The pain of the pinky finger is felt by the whole body.
쿵 매 티나님, 매 아아니힌. Kung may tinanim, may aanihin. If you planted something, you will harvest something.

망아 살리타 (Mga Salita)

수랕 이나와
(Surat Inawa)		 술랕 라틴
(Sulat Latin)		 Note
팡읭알란 pang·nga·lan
  • noun
팡알란 pa·nga·lan
  • name
발락탓 Ba·lag·tas
발락타산 ba·lag·ta·san
필리피낫 Pi·li·pi·nas
  • Philippines
삘리피노 Fi·li·pi·no
ㅎㅎㅎ Hahaha, Hehehe
  • digital laughter
ㅋㅋㅋ KKK
  • Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan
카티푸난 Ka·ti·pu·nan

망아 팡웅우샆 (Mga Pangungusap)

  • Ako ay isang Filipino. (I am a Filipino.)
    • 아코 애 이상 삘리피노.
  • Ang Pilipinas ay isang bansa kung saan ang isang tao ay malayang nakapaghahayag ng kanilang saloobin. (The Philippines is a country where a person can freely express their deep thoughts.)
    • 앙 필리피낫 애 이상 반사 쿵 사안 앙 이상 타오 애 말라양 나카팍하하약 낭 카닐랑 살로오빈.
  • Siya ay naniwala sa kuwento. (S/he believed the story.)
    • 샤 애 나니왈라 사 퀜토.
  • Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Supreme and Honourable Association of the Children of the Nation)
    • 카타앗타아산 카갈랑갈랑 나 카티푸난 낭 망아 아낰 낭 바얀

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.

NOTE

The discussion of Polite Speech is out-of-scope for this project; this is only used as an example.

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」.