walang anuman
/waˌlaŋ ʔanuˈman/
In Tagalog, the English phrase "no worries" is expressed as walang anuman.
The phrase walang anuman is used to say "you're welcome" as a standard response to "thank you." While it literally means 'it is nothing', it is the standard way to respond to 'thank you' in Tagalog.
Meaning: it does not bother me (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of wala (none/nothing) and anuman (anything/whatever).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the response polite when speaking to an elder or someone in authority, add the particle po at the end, resulting in walang anuman po.
How do you pronounce it?
/waˌlaŋ ʔanuˈman/
Did you know?
- The word ano inside anuman is one of the most flexible words in Tagalog and is frequently used as a placeholder for any object or action the speaker cannot remember.
- The root ano in anuman is believed to have descended from a Proto-Austronesian root, linking this common polite phrase to languages spoken across the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
- While walang anuman is the standard response to 'thank you', using only the word wala can sometimes signal that you have absolutely nothing to offer or provide.
Examples in context
- Walang anuman.No worries.
Example conversation
Maria thanks Mark for helping her with a heavy bag.
- MarkHeto na ang bag mo, Maria.Here is your bag, Maria.
- MariaSalamat sa tulong mo, Mark.Thank you for your help, Mark.
- MarkWalang anuman!No worries!
- MariaMabait ka talaga.You are really kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry walang anuman, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anuman, walang anuman, CC BY-SA 4.0.
