magaling
/maɡaˈliŋ/
The Tagalog phrase for "good job" is magaling.
magaling is used to praise someone's efforts or performance. While it is a way to say "good job", its primary meaning is being skilled or proficient at a task.
Meaning: a phrase used to praise for a good job or efforts (intj)
Which one should you use?
While magaling means skilled or excellent, you can use the exclamation Ang galing! to mean "How great!" or "So good!" when expressing admiration for a job well done. For even stronger informal praise, you can use Galing! to mean "great job" or "well done!"
How does it change in a sentence?
To tell a person "you are good" or "you did well", you can add the pronoun ka after the word to say magaling ka. Other informal ways to praise someone include Sobrang galing mo! (You're awesome!), Ang galing mo talaga! (You're really great!) and Ang husay mo! (You're skillful! Or You're amazing!).
How do you pronounce it?
/maɡaˈliŋ/
Did you know?
- In a medical context, magaling is used to describe someone who has recovered from an illness. It shifts from meaning 'skilled' to meaning 'healed'.
- While magaling means 'good job' or 'skilled', the root word galing also means 'to come from' or 'origin'. Depending on the pronunciation and context, the same word can describe someone's talent or where they are from.
- Depending on the tone, magaling can be used sarcastically to mean 'great job' when someone has actually made a mistake. This is similar to the English use of 'Nice one!' after a blunder.
Examples in context
- Magaling ang pagkakagawa mo.The way you made it is good.
- Magaling ang iyong pagtatanghal.Your performance was good.
- Magaling ang kinalabasan ng proyekto.The project's outcome was good.
Example conversation
Jose is praising Angela for her presentation.
- JoseTapos na ako, Jose.I'm finished, Jose.
- AngelaMagaling ang report mo, Angela.Your report was great, Angela.
- JoseSalamat sa tulong mo.Thank you for your help.
- AngelaWalang anuman.You're welcome.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry magaling, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
