You may want to go to the Philippines, and you would like to know some affirmations in the Filipino language. Knowing the basic Filipino language would give you an edge as you go to the country. Though many people understand basic English, you may also need to know basic Filipino words and say them in different ways and scenarios.
Saying yes in Filipino can be done in many ways depending on the scenario and who you speak to. You can say, “oo”, “opo”, and “oho”. Though this might be the most common way of saying yes in Tagalog, the country has many local dialects, and most of them have their ways of saying yes.
In this article, I will share how to say yes in different kinds of Filipino DIalects. Also, I will provide example scenarios on how to use the affirmative. I have gathered details, and I have listed them down below for your reference.
Ways of Saying Yes in All the Different Filipino Dialects
| Dialect | How they say “yes” |
| English | Yes |
| Aklanon or Aklan | Hu-o |
| Asi or Bantoanon | Oho nganiHu’oPwidi |
| Binol-anon or Boholano Cebuano | OO |
| Bolinao or Binubolinao | O’O’a- certainly, really, trulyUan- to admit or to say yes to something |
| Bontoc or Finalig | Ay- Sentence participle introducing yes-no questions.E-e- Yes, an expression of agreement.Ey- yesWen- yes |
| Botolan | IyahOo |
| Butuanon | HuoOoO-o |
| Bicolano | IyoIyo tabi |
| Albay Bikol or Albayanon | IyoIyo tabi |
| Central Bikol or Bikol Naga | IyoIyo tabi |
| Rinconada Bikol | IyoIyo tabi |
| Pandan Bikol | IyoIyo tabi |
| Capiznon | Huo |
| Cebuano or Bisaya | Oo |
| Chavacano | Si, umpoco |
| Cuyonon | E’en |
| Ibanag | Tabbi |
| Ilokano | WenWen, bassit laeng. |
| Itawis | OonOn |
| Hiligaynon or Ilonggo | HuoOoO-o |
| Kapampangan or Pampango | Wa |
| Kabalian or Kinabalian | Oo |
| Karay-a or Kinaray-a | He-edHo-ud |
| Maranao | Owai |
| Masbateño | OoPag-ooMag-oo |
| Pangasinan | On |
| Romblomanon | Hu=oOoO-o |
| Sambal or Sambali | YaOo |
| Español or Spanish | SiEl si |
| Surigaonon | HuoOo |
| Sorsoganon | Iyo |
| Filipino or Tagalog | Oo/Opo/Oho |
| Tausug | Huon |
| Waray | DireDiri |
| Yakan | Awe |
Oo
The most common way of saying yes in Tagalog is “oo.” That is the direct translation of the word, yes, and that is the most casual way of saying yes. You can use this affirmative in simple talking, especially in a yes or no question, and used mainly if you answer a friend, classmate, colleague, or just your normal age. You can also use this affirmative if you are talking to someone younger than you.
Halimbawa
John: Anna, nagawa mo na ba yung proyekto natin sa klase ni Binibining Cruz?
Anna: OO namn John, kahapon ko pa natapos, ipapasa ko ngayon.
John: Patulong naman.
Example
John: Anna, are you done doing our project on Miss Cruz’s class?
Anna: Of course, I am done doing it yesterday; I will pass it now.
John: Help me, please.
Opo
Opo is the formal way of saying yes in Tagalog. This affirmation speaks of politeness and respect for someone higher than you. Opo is usually used if you talk to authorities, the elderly, parents, or older siblings.
Halimbawa
Nanay: Anna, nakapag saing ka na ba ng hapunan?
Anna: Opo nay.
Nanay: Mabuti naman.
Example
Mother: Anna, have you already cooked for supper?
Anna: Yes, mom.
Mother: That’s good.
Oho
Oho is a casual, polite way of saying yes to a person. This affirmative word is usually answered to a person familiar and older than you. You can say it to an elderly family member, relatives, or someone close to you.
Halimbawa
Lola: Nalinis mo na ba ang hapagkainan?
Anna: Oho, lola.
Lola: Mabuti.
Example
Grandmother: Anna, have you cleaned the dining area?
Anna: Yes, Grandma.
Grandmother: Good.
Other Ways of Saying Yes
Yeah
Yeah might be an English word, but this is also one of the many ways Filipinos say yes. Saying Yeah is one of the informal ways of saying yes and typically said to a common friend, colleague, or someone of the same age.
Halimbawa
John: Okay ka lang ba, Anna?
Anna: Yeah.
Example
John: Are you okay, Anna?
Anna: Yes.
Yup
Yup is also an English derivative that many Filipinos adopt. Many use this informal affirmation, especially by the younger ones. Yup is an informal way of saying yes when talking to peers or someone of the same age.
Halimbawa
John: Nakakain kana?
Anna: Yup
Example
John: Have you eaten already?
Anna: Yes.
Saying Yes in Other Filipino Dialects
Hiligaynon
Halimbawa
John: Nakakaon ka na?
Anna: Huo
Example
John: Have you eaten already?
Anna: Yes.
Pangasinan
Halimbawa
John: Narasan kala?
Anna: On
Example
John: Are you hungry?
Anna: Yes.
Itawis
Halimbawa
John: Puede pe nga makifavor?
Anna: On
Example
John: May I ask you a favor?
Anna: Yes.
Chavacano
Halimbawa
John: ¿¡Anna, dónde está tu papá?! ¿No ha llegado todavía?
Anna: Si, llegará esta noche. ¿Qué quiere que le diga cuando llegue?
Example
John: Anna, where is your dad? Hasn’t he arrived yet?
Anna:Yes, he will arrive this evening. What do you want me to tell him when he comes?
Takeaways
There are so many ways on how to say yes in the Filipino language. In Tagalog, there are three ways of saying it, like “oo,” “opo,” and “oho.” Since the Philippines has so many languages, there are also some distinct ways to say yes in various Filipino dialects. If you want to go here to the Philippines, it is best to say basic affirmatives in the Filipino language.