Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kumusta | /kumusˈta/ (Standard Tagalog) | |
| kamusta | /kamusˈta/ (Standard Tagalog) | alternative form |
| hoy | /ˈhoj/ (Standard Tagalog) | |
| huy | /ˈhuj/ (Standard Tagalog) | |
| oy | /ˈʔoj/ (Standard Tagalog) | informal |
| oi | informal | |
| uy | /ˈʔuj/ (Standard Tagalog) | informal |
| ui | informal |
In informal settings, you may also hear the English loanwords hi and hello, which are widely understood in the Philippines. To get someone's attention, you might use interjections like uy, which can express mild surprise or call out to a friend or hoy, though the latter is very abrupt.
What does it mean word for word?
The word kumusta is a contraction of the Spanish phrase ¿cómo está?, meaning "how are you".
Which one should you use?
While kumusta is a standard greeting, hoy is used to get someone's attention abruptly and can sound rude if used with strangers or elders. Uy serves more as an interjection to catch a friend's attention or express surprise rather than a standard greeting. The spelling kamusta is an alternative spelling of kumusta.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal or colloquial situations, you can use oy, ui or uy. The form oi is also used informally. To be polite or formal, such as when speaking to elders or superiors, you should use Kumusta po or Kumusta po kayo? Another polite way to greet someone is Magandang araw po, which means "good day".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make a greeting polite when speaking to elders or superiors, add the particle po and use the plural pronoun kayo, as in Kumusta po kayo? For casual use among friends or peers, you can say Kumusta ka.
How do you pronounce it?
/kumusˈta/
Did you know?
- The root of kumusta can be traced back to the Latin word quōmodo, which means 'in what manner'.
- When speaking to an elder or a person of authority, you should use the plural pronoun kayo instead of the singular 'you' to show respect.
- The use of hoy to get someone's attention is so abrupt that using it with a stranger can be interpreted as a challenge or a sign of aggression.
Examples in context
- Kumusta, nariyan ba ang kontador?Hello, is the accountant there, please?This sentence shows how to use kumusta in a question.Tatoeba #14056729 by Krashanami, translation #30976 by CN
- Kamusta!Hello!This sentence shows the alternative spelling kamusta as a greeting.Tatoeba #5308197 by katalex, translation #373330 by CK
- Kamusta, Tom!Hello, Tom!This sentence shows the use of kamusta when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #5296202 by katalex, translation #5295843 by KatKoba
- Kumusta, ako si JohnHello, I am John
- Kumusta po?How are you?
- Mabuti po, salamat. Kumusta po kayo?I'm fine, thank you. How about you?
- Okay lang, pare. Ikaw?I'm okay, bro. And you?
Example conversation
Angela and Juan meet at a coffee shop.
- AngelaKumusta, Juan!Hello, Juan!
- JuanKumusta, Angela! Mabuti naman ako.Hello, Angela! I am doing well.
- AngelaKumusta ang araw mo?How is your day?
- JuanMasaya naman ang araw ko.My day is happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations and entries kumusta, kamusta, hoy, huy, oy, uy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hoy, huy, kamusta, kumusta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
