pagbati
/paɡˈbatiʔ/
The English phrase greeting is translated into Tagalog as pagbati. If unsure, use pagbati. Wiktionary also lists bati and pugay.
Meaning: acknowledgement of a persons presence or arrival (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| pagbati | /paɡˈbatiʔ/ (Standard Tagalog) /paɡbaˈti/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| bati | /baˈtiʔ/ /ˈbatiʔ/ |
| pugay |
A greeting is an acknowledgement of a person's presence or arrival. In Tagalog, you can show respect by adding po after your greeting.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pagbati is formed from the root bati (to greet) with the prefix pag-, which turns the verb into a noun representing the act of greeting.
Which one should you use?
While pagbati is a general term for a greeting, pugay specifically refers to a greeting of respect, such as a salute or a bow.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bati can function as the root verb meaning 'to greet' or as a shortened, more colloquial noun for 'greeting'.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɡˈbatiʔ/
Did you know?
- In Filipino culture, a traditional greeting of respect called pagmamano involves taking an elder's hand and pressing it to one's forehead.
- The root word bati is a linguistic double agent. Depending on the context, it can mean 'to greet', but it can also mean 'to beat' or 'to whisk' something, like eggs.
- The distant history of the word suggests a connection to the Sanskrit concept of 'enduring' or 'forgiving', through the Malay 'tabik'.
Examples in context
- Magandang umaga poGood morning
- Magandang tanghali poGood noon
- Magandang hapon poGood afternoon
- Magandang gabi poGood evening
- Kumusta po kayo?How are you?
- Kumusta na po kayo?How have you been?
- KamustaHello / How are you?
- Ang mainit na pagbati ang kailangan.A warm greeting is needed.
Example conversation
Mark and Angela are discussing a social event.
- MarkMaganda ba ang iyong pagbati kanina?Was your greeting good earlier?
- AngelaOo, naging maayos naman ang lahat.Yes, everything went well.
- MarkMabuti dahil mahalaga ang pagbati sa kanila.Good, because the greeting is important to them.
- AngelaTama ka, Mark.You are right, Mark.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “greeting” translations and entries pagbati, bati, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bati, pagbati, CC BY-SA 4.0.
