Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| regalo | /ɾeˈɡalo/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| bigay | /biˈɡaj/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| pasalubong | /pasaˈluboŋ/ /pasaluˈboŋ/ |
In Tagalog, there are different ways to refer to a gift depending on whether you mean a physical object, the act of giving or a specific type of gift brought from travel. regalo is the standard noun for a physical gift. Related verbs like magregalo or magbigay can be used to express the act of giving something as a gift.
Which one should you use?
While regalo is a general term for any physical gift, bigay is the root word for the act of giving itself. If the gift is a souvenir or a gift brought specifically by someone returning from a trip or travel, use the word pasalubong.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɾeˈɡalo/
When do people say it?
The term pasalubong refers to a culturally specific type of gift. It is a common custom for travelers to bring back gifts for their family and friends when they return home.
Did you know?
- The custom of pasalubong is so strong that people often feel a social obligation to bring gifts even from very short trips to nearby cities.
- The word pasalubong is derived from the root salubong, which means to meet or encounter someone. This implies the gift is something intended for the moment of meeting after a period of absence.
- The root bigay is a cognate with the Malay word beri. This links Tagalog to a vast family of languages spoken across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Examples in context
- Buksan mo ang regalo.Open the gift.This sentence shows how to use regalo to tell someone to open a gift.Tatoeba #13887695 by qwertzu, translation #10031975 by ddnktr
- Sino ang pumili ng regalong ito.Who chose this gift?This sentence uses regalo to ask who chose a specific gift.Tatoeba #8652892 by England, translation #6273803 by CK
- Binigyan ko siya ng litrato ko bilang regalo.I gave him a picture of myself as a gift.This sentence uses regalo to describe giving a photo as a gift.Tatoeba #11751811 by qwertzu, translation #8670540 by Mediabat
- Kumusta po! Pasensya na po, ngunit may regalo po akong nais ibigay sa inyo.Hello! I apologize, but I have a gift that I would like to give you.
- Maaari po bang magbigay ng regalo sa pagdiriwang na ito?Can I give a gift for this celebration?
- Uy, may pasalubong ako para sa iyo!Hey, I have a gift/souvenir for you!
- Ihandog natin ang mga regalong ito sa simbahan.Let's offer these gifts in the church.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jasmine gives a birthday present to Juan.
- JasmineJuan, may regalo ako para sa iyo.Juan, I have a gift for you.
- JuanTalaga? Maraming salamat, Jasmine!Really? Thank you so much, Jasmine!
- JasmineSana ay magustuhan mo ang regalo.I hope you like the gift.
- JuanSigurado ako na magugustuhan ko ito.I am sure that I will like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gift” translations and entries regalo, bigay, pasalubong, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bigay, pasalubong, regalo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
