What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kumusta (how/how is), ang (the), araw (day) and mo (your/yours).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal way to say "how was your day?" is Kamusta ang araw mo? The formal way to say 'How was your day?' is Kamusta ang iyong araw? The phrase Magandang araw po. Kamusta po ang inyong araw? means 'Good day. How was your day, sir/ma'am?' Using ninyo instead of mo makes the question polite or formal when addressing an elder or a person of authority.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Tagalog, the word kumusta can function as both "how is" and "how was" depending on the context, so the same phrase is used for both present and past tense.
How do you pronounce it?
/kumusˈta ʔaŋ ˈʔaɾaw mo/
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to this question is Mabuti naman, which means "It was fine" or "It was good".
Did you know?
- The word araw is part of a huge family of words across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including the Malagasy word andro in Madagascar.
- While araw means 'day' in the phrase kumusta ang araw mo, it also means 'sun' in Tagalog.
- In the Philippines, it is common to answer kumusta ang araw mo with mabuti naman, but the word naman adds a nuance of 'also' or 'as well' that doesn't have a direct English equivalent here.
Examples in context
- Kumusta ang araw mo?How was your day?
- Kumusta ang araw mo sa opisina?How was your day at the office?
- Kumusta ang araw mo, kaibigan?How was your day, friend?
Example conversation
Juan arrives home and greets Christina.
- ChristinaKumusta ang araw mo, Juan?How was your day, Juan?
- JuanMabuti naman, pagod lang ako.It was good, I'm just tired.
- ChristinaGusto mo bang magpahinga muna?Do you want to rest first?
- JuanSalamat, Christina. Oo, salamat.Thanks, Christina. Yes, thank you.
