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How are you?

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The Filipinos use various expressions in certain situations. Filipinos are communicative and very expressive of what they want to convey. There are Filipino expressions that you may hear quite often from familiar situations you might get yourself into. Try getting yourself accustomed with these Filipino words.

Trivia:
Thoughtfulness of Filipinos can be seen when they ask the person they’re talking to how their other friends and family members are doing. For example: “Kumustá si Joe?” or “Kumustá ang nanay mo?” This can be a conversation starter too.

How Are You

"Kumustá" is a Filipino expression you will frequently hear from your family and friends. It is adapted from the Spanish phrase “como esta”, which means “how are you”? This expression is not necessarily asking how you are, but can be interpreted as a simple “hi” or “hello” in the Filipino cultural context.
Markup
Examples:
How are you?
Kumustá? Play audio #804
Kumustá ka? Play audio #805
“How are you, sir/madam?”
Kumustá po kayó? Play audio #803
Markup
Examples:
How are you?
Kumusta? Play audio #804
Kumusta ka? Play audio #805
“How are you, sir/madam?”
Kumusta po kayo? Play audio #803
Responses to "How Are You?"

You can respond to these expressions by saying “mabuti”, which means “fine” in English. To show appreciation to the greeting, the word "kumustá" may also be followed by the word “salamat”, which means "Thank you." You might also want to return the favor by asking how they are, too, to show concern. Words such as “Ikáw?” (casual) or “Kayó?” (polite) can be used for this.
Markup
Examples:
Fine.
Fine, sir/madam.
Mabuti. Play audio #799
Mabuti po. Play audio #800
Fine, too.
Fine, too, sir/madam
Mabuti rin. Play audio #797
Mabuti rin po. Play audio #798
Fine. Thank you.
Fine, too. Thank you.
Fine, too, sir/madam. Thank you.
Mabuti. Salamat. Play audio #794
Mabuti rin. Salamat. Play audio #795
Mabuti rin po. Salamat. Play audio #796
Fine, too. You?
Fine, too, sir/madam. You?
Mabuti namán. Ikáw? Play audio #788
Mabuti namán po. Kayó? Play audio #793
Markup
Examples:
Fine.
Fine, sir/madam.
Mabuti. Play audio #799
Mabuti po. Play audio #800
Fine, too.
Fine, too, sir/madam
Mabuti rin. Play audio #797
Mabuti rin po. Play audio #798
Fine. Thank you.
Fine, too. Thank you.
Fine, too, sir/madam. Thank you.
Mabuti. Salamat. Play audio #794
Mabuti rin. Salamat. Play audio #795
Mabuti rin po. Salamat. Play audio #796
Fine, too. You?
Fine, too, sir/madam. You?
Mabuti naman. Ikaw? Play audio #788
Mabuti naman po. Kayo? Play audio #793
In a colloquial or informal manner, many Filipinos answer with terminologies such as “ayos” or “okey”. These connote the equivalent definition of the word “fine”. “Good”/“Well”/”Great” or some words that can capture the essence these words.
Markup
Examples:
Good.
Good, sir/madam.
Ayos namán. Play audio #787
Ayos namán po. Play audio #792
Good.
Good, sir/madam.
Okey namán. Play audio #786
Okey namán po. Play audio #791
Good. You?
Good, sir/madam. You?
Okey namán. Ikaw? Play audio #789
Okey namán po. Kayó? Play audio #790
Markup
Examples:
Good.
Good, sir/madam.
Ayos naman. Play audio #787
Ayos naman po. Play audio #792
Good.
Good, sir/madam.
Okey naman. Play audio #786
Okey naman po. Play audio #791
Good. You?
Good, sir/madam. You?
Okey naman. Ikaw? Play audio #789
Okey naman po. Kayo? Play audio #790
Take note that responses such as mabuti, ayos, and okey are synonymous terms, implying that one is in a good situation or fine condition. Still, these terms should be used in appropriate situations. The word "mabuti is more fitting to use when talking to an older person or a person with a high ranking in society or workplace such as your teachers, parents, government officials, and supervisors. You can use the terms "ayos" or "okey" when you are having a casual conversation with a friend or a colleague.

Sample Conversation:

Let’s see a sample conversation for this lesson:
Markup
Examples:
Simple "How are you" Conversation

Juan: How are you?

Jane: Fine. You?

Juan: Fine, too.


Juan: Kumustá ka? Play audio #1201

Jane: Mabuti namán. Ikaw? Play audio #788

Juan: Mabuti rin. Play audio #1203
Conversation with an Older Person

Juan: How are you, sir?

Aunt: Fine. You?

Juan: Fine, too, sir.


Juan: Kumustá po kayó? Play audio #976

Tita: Mabuti namán. Ikáw? Play audio #980

Juan: Mabuti rin po. Play audio #1200
Colloquial Form of Response

Jane: How are you?

Juan: I’m well/good/great! You?

Jane: I’m well/good/great, too.


Jane: Kumustá ka? Play audio #783

Juan: Ayos namán. Ikáw? Play audio #973/Okey namán. Ikáw? Play audio #974

Jane: Ayos namán. Play audio #787/Okéy namán. Play audio #786
Markup
Examples:
Simple "How are you" Conversation

Juan: How are you?

Jane: Fine. You?

Juan: Fine, too.


Juan: Kumusta ka? Play audio #1201

Jane: Mabuti naman. Ikaw? Play audio #788

Juan: Mabuti rin. Play audio #1203
Conversation with an Older Person

Juan: How are you, sir?

Aunt: Fine. You?

Juan: Fine, too, sir.


Juan: Kumusta po kayo? Play audio #976

Tita: Mabuti naman. Ikaw? Play audio #980

Juan: Mabuti rin po. Play audio #1200
Colloquial Form of Response

Jane: How are you?

Juan: I’m well/good/great! You?

Jane: I’m well/good/great, too.


Jane: Kumusta ka? Play audio #783

Juan: Ayos naman. Ikaw? Play audio #973/Okey naman. Ikaw? Play audio #974

Jane: Ayos naman. Play audio #787/Okey naman. Play audio #786
You can freely choose whichever response you want to use for the question “kumustá.” There are no strict rules when using the traditional or colloquial forms of responses. Filipinos do understand what you try to express whether “mabuti”, “ayos”, or “okey” is the word you choose to respond. The traditional type of response might be more suitable for official documents and formal events. The colloquial types of responses is appropriate for light toned conversations (can be used with friends and family).

Lesson Summary:
1.) “Kumustá” is a Filipino word you can use to ask how a person is. This can be interpreted as a simple “hi” or “hello”. It is also an expression to spark a conversation.
2.) “Mabuti,” “Ayos”, “Okey” are responses you may use to answer the question “Kumustá?” Use the most appropriate response for different kinds of situations.


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Common Expressions