Filipinos are very friendly to anyone and even to foreigners. They will greet you anywhere and will care for you. One of the most common ways of Filipinos showing they care for you is that they will ask you, “How are you?” A close friend’s relatives commonly ask this question or some close to you that you haven’t seen for a long time.
“Kumusta ka?” is the Tagalog translation of “How are you?”. You typically hear this in many gatherings, meetings, and get-togethers. This question is one way of showing that you miss them, and you are asking how they do in life. If you have a Filipino friend, you ask them, “kamusta ka?” if you haven’t seen them for a while.
There are many ways to ask kumusta ka in Tagalog. Each can be said in different ways and occasions. There are variations when asking too many people or for one person only. It can be formal or informal. To know about this, continue reading more for details.
Ways of Saying Kumusta Ka in Tagalog
Kumusta Ka
“Kumusta ka?” is translated as “How are you?” “Kumusta ka?” is an informal way of asking how he is or how he does in life. Kumusta ka is often asked one person only.
Kumusta Kayo o Kumusta Kayong Lahat
“Kumusta Kayo o Kumusta Kayong Lahat?” means “How are you all?” These questions are informal ways of asking a group of people. These are used to address a group of people, can be a group of friends or colleagues.
Kumusta ka na?
“Kumusta ka na?” means “What’s up?”. This question is asked as an informal way of inquiring a person how he’s been. This question can only be asked to a very close friend or close family member. In asking this question, be ready for a full-blown answer about how he is doing.
Kumusta na kayo?
“Kumusta na kayo?” is translated as “What’s up with you two? What’s up with you guys?” “Kumusta na kayo” is an informal way of asking a close friend how they have been.
Kumusta na po?
“Kumusta na po?” is a formal way of saying, “How are you?” Adding “po” in the sentence denotes respect and politeness.
Kumusta po kayo?
“Kumusta po kayo?” means “How are you all?” “Kumusta po kayo?” is a formal question asked by a group of people. Adding po in this question means showing respect and politeness to a person.
Musta?
“Musta?” means “sup?”. Filipinos mainly use this informal or casual question when chatting online with common friends of the same age.
Kamusta?
“Kamusta? Means “How are you?”. What makes this informal is the way it is spelled or pronounced from its original word “kumusta.” This question can be casually asked by a friend, colleague, classmate, or family member.
Ano ang bago?
“Ano ang bago?” is translated as “What’s new?” “Anong bago?” is an informal way of asking a friend how he is. This question is usually a conversation starter and conversations are expected to be lengthy.
Kumusta po, ate?
“Kumusta po, ate?” means “How are you, sister?” In Tagalog, “ate” doesn’t only mean a sister, but it can also be used in addressing an older female. By saying, “Kumusta po, ate?” you are formally asking with formality and politeness.
Kumusta po, tita?
“Kumusta po, tita?” can also mean “How are you, auntie?” This greeting is a formal way of asking an older female like your mother’s age how she is doing. Using “po” in the Conversation denotes respect and politeness.
Kumusta po, kuya?
“Kumusta po, kuya?” can be translated as “How are you, brother?” Addressing someone with “kuya” does not only mean that you are related by blood. It can sometimes be used to address a young man older than you or any man who can be a stranger or a man you don’t know the name of. This greeting is considered as a formal way of asking him how he has been.
Kumusta po Tito?
“Kumusta po Tito?” is “How are you uncle?” in English. In the Philippines, you can call an older man “Tito,” though you are not related by blood. This greeting is a formal way of addressing them.
Where Does the Word Kumusta Originate?
Spain has colonized the Philippines for about 333 years. With that period, Filipinos were able to adapt some of their words and even have a lot of Spanish loanwords. The word kumusta is from the Spanish word ¿cómo está?. Nowadays, “Kumusta” has become a common way for Filipinos to greet or receive someone warmly.
Formal Responses for Kumusta Ka
| Responses | Translations |
| Fine | Mabuti |
| Fine, Mam/ Sir | Mabuti po. |
| Fine, too. | Mabuti rin. |
| Fine, too, sir/madam | Mabuti rin po. |
| Fine. Thank you. | Mabuti. Salamat. |
| Fine, too. Thank you. | Mabuti rin. Salamat. |
| Fine, too, sir/madam. Thank you. | Mabuti rin po. Salamat. |
| Fine, too. You? | Mabuti namán. Ikáw? |
| Fine, too, sir/madam. You? | Mabuti namán po. Kayó? |
Informal Responses for Kumusta Ka
| Responses | Translations |
| Good. | Ayos namán. |
| Good, sir/madam. | Ayos namán po. |
| Good. | Okey namán. |
| Good, sir/madam. | Okey namán po |
| Good. You? | Okey namán. Ikaw? |
| Good, sir/madam. You? | Okey namán po. Kayó? |
Simple “How are you” Conversation
Mark: How are you?
Anna: Fine. You?
Mark: Fine, too.
Mark: Kumustá ka?
Anna: Mabuti namán. Ikaw?
Mark: Mabuti rin.
Colloquial Form of Response
Anna: How are you?
Mark: I’m okay/good/great! You?
Anna: I’m alright/good/great, too.
Anna: Kumustá ka?
Mark: Ayos namán. Ikáw? /Okey namán. Ikáw?
Anna: Ayos namán. /Okéy namán.
Takeaways
Filipinos are very thoughtful, and they would always welcome and appreciate your presence. They would acknowledge you in everything, especially how you have been. If a Filipino hasn’t seen a friend for a short while, they will always ask “kumusta” to check on the friend. The word “Kumusta” came from the Spanish word ¿cómo está?.