Learn Basic Conversational Bikol - Some Starter Phrases

Hello, in this post. I will share some useful Bikol phrases manually translated from this set. This list is pretty useful if you want to spark up a conversation or reply to comments section in Facebook or Twitter using the Bikol language.

Many Dialects (Note)
The Bicol language has many dialects. In thist post, I will translate the English phrases to the dialect I use, Central Bikol. Central Bikol is probably one of the most widely used dialects in Bikol and is also used in television shows such as Balitang Bicolandia.

Just a subset
The list in the post are some of the most common but may not cover all that are used for daily conversations. Please note that these are mostly conversational/colloquial - probably less grammatically correct for the colloquial feel. Also, they are not translated word per word. Instead, they are translated based on the generic meaning that's aimed to be sent.

Usage/Purpose
You might want to use these phrases in Facebook/Twitter in the comments section when you have Bicolano friends.

Limitations
Due to limitations, I cannot explain how to make them sound like this or that. Thus, when talking orally, you might not sound like a native Bicolano. Though, as a Bicolano, I think that's still perfectly fine despite the risk of changed meaning. Bicolanos will immediately understand that you are not a native Bicolano speaker and they may even appreciate the fact that you are trying.

The Long List (1-25)

1. Tara? - with close friends, e.g. in Facebook Messenger
   Marhay na aldaw po! - when you do not know the person and you want to greet them, e.g. in Facebook Messenger

2. Hi!
   O, tara! - use with close friends
   Marhay na aldaw man! - when you do not know the person

3. See ya later
   Sa uutrohon (po)! - add po when talking to elderlies or respected persons

4. Sure
   Sige (po)! - this is used to affirm a request that's answerable by yes or no

5. How are you?
   Kumusta ka (po)?

6. How's it going?
   Kumusta na? - this handles the generic meaning attached to How's it going, rather than How are you?

7. What's up?
   Musta? - I believe this handle's the generic intimate meaning of What's up

8. What's new?
   (Tara), anong bago? - Add tara for extra context, e.g. starting a conversation. You might want to remove Tarawhen the conversation has already started

9. Pretty good - (as a response to How are you?)
   Maray man - The formal spelling I guess is Marhay but removing h makes it sound less formal. You can also get away with Okay lang

10. Can't complain
    Mayo man - I can't find a direct translation that preserves the meaning. The translation is less accurate which justs means "Just nothing" which can reply to "What's up?" as "Nothing much".

11. I've been busy
    Sibot baga - This is the closest to the meaning using "baga" as emphasis. I find it hard to explain "baga" but it's mostly used for reaffirmation of a statement, "I've been busy, isn't it obvious...."

12. Thanks a lot
    Salamat na marhay

13. I really appreciate it
    Salamat talaga -

14. Would you like a drink?
    Tara, inom kita? - when offering liquor
    Ma-kape ka (po)? - when offering coffee
    Ma-tsaa ka (po)? - when offering tea

15. How do you feel about?
    Anong masasabi mo tungkol sa ...?

16. I'm returning your call
    **

17. Can you tell me?
    *Pwede mong sabihon sako ...""

18. Would you happen to know
    Aram mo tong ...?

19. I have no idea/clue.
    Dae ko aram

20. I'm not really sure
    Dae talaga ako sigurado

21. Do you agree with me?
    Nagtutubod ka sako?

22. Do you know see what I mean?
    Nakukua mo ang sinasabi ko?