po
The Tagalog word for the English address "sir" is po.
In Tagalog, po is used to address any male, especially if his name or proper address is unknown. To show respect to someone older or in a higher position, you should pair the appropriate term of address with po.
Meaning: address to any male, especially if his name or proper address is unknown (noun)
Which one should you use?
While po is the standard respectful particle, ho is a slightly less formal variation that still maintains a level of politeness and respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike the English noun "sir", which is a standalone vocative, the Tagalog equivalent po is an honorific particle that is inserted into a sentence.
Did you know?
- The word po shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the Indonesian and Javanese word 'empu', which refers to a person of high status or a master craftsman.
- If you use po with someone who is much younger than you, it may actually sound sarcastic or mocking because the level of respect is inappropriately high.
- The particle po is not gender-specific in its grammatical function, even though it is often taught as a way to address a male 'sir'. It can be used to address any person of authority or age regardless of gender.
Examples in context
- Sir, Arby's po ito.Sir, this is an Arby's.This sentence shows how to use po when identifying something to a male.Tatoeba #11575315 by qwertzu, translation #10300193 by shekitten
- Nahulog po ang antena.The antenna fell, sir.This sentence demonstrates using po to report an event to a male.Tatoeba #11895468 by qwertzu, translation #12049417 by humding3r
- Para sa anong oras ba, po?For what time, sir?This sentence shows how to use po when asking a question to a male.Tatoeba #1720208 by nonong, translation #240199 by Lumi
- Pasensiya na, ser. Hindi ko sinasadyang masagi kayo.I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to bump into you.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A customer is asking a male employee for assistance in a store.
- MarkExcuse me po, sir.Excuse me, sir.
- JasmineAno po ang kailangan ninyo?What do you need?
- MarkNasaan po ang banyo?Where is the bathroom?
- JasmineNasa dulo po iyon.It is at the end.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries po, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
