Talking Shop: Essential Filipino Vocabulary for Business and Entrepreneurship

In the vibrant and dynamic economic landscape of the Philippines, the ability to connect with people on a personal level can be a significant game-changer. Whether you’re a budding local entrepreneur, an MSME owner looking to expand, or even a foreign investor eyeing opportunities in the archipelago, understanding and using the local language goes beyond mere courtesy—it’s a powerful tool for building trust, fostering stronger relationships, and ultimately, driving business success. This is where “talking shop” in Filipino comes into play.

The Filipino language, primarily Tagalog-based, is rich with nuances that reflect the country’s culture of community (pakikisama), respect (paggalang), and resourcefulness (diskarte). Integrating key Filipino vocabulary into your business communications can open doors, smooth transactions, and create a more welcoming environment for your customers, partners, and employees. This guide aims to equip you with the essential Filipino vocabulary needed to navigate the exciting world of Philippine commerce and entrepreneurship. From foundational terms to phrases for daily operations and even words that capture the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit, let’s dive in!

1. The Foundation: Core Filipino Terms Every Business Person Should Know (Mga Pangunahing Salita sa Pagnenegosyo)

Before you can effectively “talk shop,” you need a solid foundation. These are some of the most basic and frequently used terms in the context of Philippine business and entrepreneurship. Mastering these will help you understand and participate in everyday business conversations.

1.1. General Business Concepts:

• Negosyo: This is the general term for “business” or “commerce.” You’ll hear it everywhere, from sidewalk vendors talking about their negosyo to CEOs discussing corporate strategy.
  • Example: “Malakas ang negosyo natin ngayon.” (Our business is doing well today.)
• Kumpanya: Meaning “company” or “firm,” this term is often used for more formally structured businesses.
  • Example: “Nagtatrabaho siya sa isang malaking kumpanya.” (He/She works for a big company.)
• May-ari: This translates to “owner.” It’s a crucial term whether you’re dealing with a small sari-sari store or a larger enterprise.
  • Example: “Sino ang may-ari ng tindahan na ito?” (Who is the owner of this store?)
• Mamumuhunan: This means “investor”—someone who puts capital into a business with the expectation of a financial return.
  • Example: “Naghahanap kami ng mga mamumuhunan para sa aming startup.” (We are looking for investors for our startup.)
• Kasosyo: This translates to “partner” or “associate” in a business venture.
  • Example: “Siya ang aking kasosyo sa negosyong ito.” (He/She is my partner in this business.)
• Puhunan: This refers to “capital”—the money or assets invested to start or operate a business.
  • Example: “Magkano ang kailangan mong puhunan?” (How much capital do you need?)
• Kita / Tubo: Both terms mean “profit” or “income.” Kita often refers to gross income or revenue, while tubo specifically means profit or the gain after deducting expenses.
  • Example (Kita): “Malaki ang kita natin ngayong buwan.” (Our earnings are big this month.)
  • Example (Tubo): “Maliit lang ang tubo sa produktong ito.” (The profit for this product is small.)
• Gastos: This means “expenses” or “expenditures.”
  • Example: “Kailangan nating bawasan ang ating mga gastos.” (We need to reduce our expenses.)
• Lugi: The opposite of kita or tubo, lugi means “loss” or “to be at a loss.”
  • Example: “Nalugi ang negosyo dahil sa pandemya.” (The business suffered losses due to the pandemic.)

1.2. Products and Services:

• Produkto: This directly translates to “product.”
  • Example: “Marami kaming bagong produkto.” (We have many new products.)
• Kalakal: This refers to “goods,” “merchandise,” or “commodities.”
  • Example: “Saan galing ang mga kalakal na ito?” (Where did these goods come from?)
• Serbisyo: Meaning “service.”
  • Example: “Anong klaseng serbisyo ang inaalok ninyo?” (What kind of service do you offer?)
• Halaga / Presyo: Both mean “price” or “cost.” Halaga can also mean “value.”
  • Example: “Magkano ang presyo nito?” (How much is the price of this?)
  • Example: “Sulit sa halaga ang produktong ito.” (This product is worth its value.)
• Murà: This means “affordable,” “inexpensive,” or “cheap.”
  • Example: “Naghahanap ako ng mas murang opsyon.” (I am looking for a cheaper option.)
• Mahál: The opposite of murà, this means “expensive.”
  • Example: “Medyo mahál ang produktong iyan.” (That product is a bit expensive.)

1.3. People in Business:

• Kliyente / Kostumer: Both terms, derived from Spanish, mean “client” or “customer.” Kostumer is often used in retail, while kliyente can be used for service-based businesses or more formal relationships.
  • Example: “Dapat nating alagaan ang ating mga kostumer.” (We should take care of our customers.)
• Suki: A very important cultural and business term, suki refers to a “loyal customer” or a “regular patron.” Building a suki relationship often involves mutual trust, discounts, or special treatment.
  • Example: “Suki na ako sa tindahan na ‘yan.” (I am a loyal customer of that store.)
• Empleyado / Manggagawa: Empleyado (from Spanish empleado) means “employee.” Manggagawa (from the root word gawa, meaning “work”) means “worker” and can sometimes carry a connotation of labor or blue-collar work, but is often used interchangeably.
  • Example: “Ilang empleyado mayroon ang kumpanya ninyo?” (How many employees does your company have?)
• Tagapamahala: This means “manager” or “administrator” (from the root word pamahala, meaning “to manage”).
  • Example: “Kausapin mo ang tagapamahala.” (Talk to the manager.)

2. “Let’s Talk Shop”: Essential Phrases for Daily Business Interactions (Mga Parirala sa Araw-araw na Pakikipag-ugnayan sa Negosyo)

Beyond individual words, knowing key phrases is crucial for smooth daily operations. Filipinos highly value politeness and respect, often conveyed through specific honorifics and expressions.

2.1. Greetings and Politeness (Essential for Pakikisama – getting along well with others):

• Magandáng araw (po): “Good day.” This is a versatile greeting.
• Magandáng umaga (po): “Good morning.”
• Magandáng hapon (po): “Good afternoon.”
• Magandáng gabí (po): “Good evening.”
  • Note: The inclusion of po (and its variant ho) is a crucial marker of respect, typically used when speaking to someone older, of higher status, or someone you don’t know well. Using it is highly recommended in business settings.
• Salamat (po): “Thank you.” A fundamental expression of gratitude.
• Waláng anumán: “You’re welcome.”
• Pakisuyo (po): “Please” (when asking for a favor or making a request). Paki- is a prefix used to make polite requests.
  • Example: “Pakisuyo, bigyan mo ako ng kopya.” (Please give me a copy.)
• Pasensya na (po) / Paumanhin (po): “Excuse me” or “I’m sorry.” Pasensya na is more common in everyday speech.
  • Example: “Pasensya na po sa abala.” (Sorry for the inconvenience.)

2.2. Inquiries and Transactions:

• Magkano (po) ito?: “How much is this?” This is perhaps one of the most used phrases in commerce.
• Ano (po) ito?: “What is this?” Useful when asking about a product or service.
• Mayroon (po) ba kayóng…?: “Do you have…?” (e.g., Mayroon po ba kayong mas maliit na sukat? – Do you have a smaller size?).
• Gusto ko (po) sanang bumili ng…: “I’d like to buy…”
• Bayad: “Payment.”
  • Example: “Saan po ang bayad?” (Where do I pay?)
• Sukli: “(Monetary) change.”
  • Example: “Pakiabot po ng sukli ko.” (Please hand me my change.)
• Resibo: “Receipt.” (from Spanish recibo)
  • Example: “Pwede po makahingi ng resibo?” (May I ask for a receipt?)

2.3. Negotiations and Agreements:

• Pwede bang tumawad? / May tawad pa ba?: “Can I haggle?” / “Is there still a discount?” Haggling (pagtawad) is common in informal markets (palengke, tiangge) but generally not in malls or formal stores.
• Kasunduan: “Agreement.”
  • Example: “Pumirma kami sa isang kasunduan.” (We signed an agreement.)
• Kontrata: “Contract.” (from Spanish contrato)
  • Example: “Basahin mong mabuti ang kontrata.” (Read the contract carefully.)
• Usapan: “Understanding,” “discussion,” or “talks.”
  • Example: “Ano ang naging usapan ninyo?” (What was your discussion/agreement?)
• Sang-ayon ako: “I agree.”
• Hindî akó sang-ayon: “I disagree.”

3. Starting Up: Filipino Vocabulary for the Aspiring Entrepreneur (Bokabularyo para sa Nagsisimulang Negosyante)

For those embarking on their entrepreneurial journey in the Philippines, understanding terms related to business registration and planning is vital.

3.1. Business Registration and Permits (Key terms for DTI, LGU):

• Pagpaparehistro ng Negosyo: “Business Registration.”
• Permit sa Negosyo / Mayor’s Permit: “Business Permit,” often referred to as Mayor’s Permit as it’s issued by the Local Government Unit (LGU) where the business is located.
• Lisensya: “License.” (from Spanish licencia)
• Pangalan ng Negosyo: “Business Name.” This needs to be registered with the DTI for sole proprietorships or SEC for partnerships/corporations.
• DTI (Department of Trade and Industry): The primary government agency for registering business names for sole proprietorships.
• BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue): Responsible for taxation. Entrepreneurs need to register with the BIR and get a Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission): For registering partnerships and corporations.
• Munisipyo / City Hall: “Municipal Hall” / “City Hall”—where you typically process LGU-level permits.
• Barangay Clearance: A permit issued by the local barangay (village/district) office, often a prerequisite for other permits.

3.2. Planning and Operations:

• Plano sa Negosyo: “Business Plan.”
• Layunin: “Objective” or “Goal.”
  • Example: “Ano ang pangunahing layunin ng iyong negosyo?” (What is the main objective of your business?)
• Pamilihan: “Market” or “Marketplace.”
  • Example: “Kailangan nating pag-aralan ang ating pamilihan.” (We need to study our market.)
• Kompetisyon: “Competition.”
  • Example: “Maraming kompetisyon sa industriyang ito.” (There’s a lot of competition in this industry.)
• Imbentaryo: “Inventory.”
• Suplay: “Supply.”

3.3. Financial Terms for Startups:

• Utang: “Loan” or “debt.”
  • Example: “Kumuha siya ng utang sa bangko para sa puhunan.” (He/She took a loan from the bank for capital.)
• Pautang: Can mean “to lend money” or also refer to a lending business.
• Daloy ng Pera: “Cash Flow.”
• Pagbabadyet: “Budgeting.”

4. Growing Your Venture: Filipino Terms for Marketing and Sales (Mga Termino sa Pagpapalago: Marketing at Benta)

Once your business is up and running, effective marketing and sales communication in Filipino can significantly boost your reach.

4.1. Attracting Customers:

• Anunsyo: “Announcement” or “Advertisement.”
• Promosyon: “Promotion.”
• Alok: “Offer.”
  • Example: “May espesyal kaming alok para sa iyo.” (We have a special offer for you.)
• Diskwento: “Discount.” (from Spanish descuento)
• Libre: “Free.” (from Spanish libre)
• Bago: “New.” (e.g., Bagong produkto! – New product!)
• Sikat: “Popular” or “Famous.”
• Mabenta: “Sells well” or “In demand.”
  • Example: “Mabenta ang produktong ito sa mga kabataan.” (This product sells well among the youth.)

4.2. Describing Your Offerings (Quality and Value):

• Kalidad: “Quality.” (from Spanish calidad)
• De-kalidad: “High Quality” or “Of good quality.”
• Matibay: “Durable,” “Sturdy,” “Long-lasting.”
• Epektibo: “Effective.”
• Sulit: A very popular Filipino term expressing that something is “worth it” or “good value for money.”
  • Example: “Sulit ang bayad mo dito!” (What you paid for is worth it here!)
• Natatangi: “Unique” or “Special.”

5. The Filipino Entrepreneurial Mindset: Words that Drive Success (Kaisipang Pangnegosyante: Mga Salitang Nagdadala ng Tagumpay)

Certain Filipino words encapsulate the traits and values often associated with successful entrepreneurship in the Philippines. Understanding these can offer deeper insights into the local business culture.

• Sipag: This means “diligence,” “hard work,” or “industriousness.”
• Tiyaga: This means “perseverance,” “patience,” or “endurance.”
  • The tandem “sipag at tiyaga” is often cited as a formula for success.
• Diskarte: A uniquely Filipino concept that means resourcefulness, ingenuity, finding a way to get things done, often creatively navigating challenges or limited resources. It’s about being street-smart and adaptable.
  • Example: “Kailangan mo ng diskarte para umasenso sa negosyo.” (You need resourcefulness to succeed in business.)
• Pagsisikap: This means “effort” or “striving.”
• Tiwala sa sarili: “Self-confidence.”
• Tagumpay: “Success.”
  • Example: “Hangad ko ang iyong tagumpay.” (I wish for your success.)
• Pag-unlad: “Progress” or “Development.”
• Bayanihan: This refers to the spirit of communal unity, cooperation, and helping others without expecting anything in return. While traditionally associated with tasks like moving a house, its spirit can be seen in community-based enterprises, cooperatives, or even informal support networks among entrepreneurs.

Conclusion: Mag-usap Tayo! Continue Your Journey in Business Filipino

Mastering these essential Filipino vocabulary sets is more than just learning new words; it’s about bridging cultural gaps, fostering genuine connections, and showing respect for the local context. In the Philippines, where personal relationships often play a crucial role in business dealings, “talking shop” in Filipino can significantly enhance your credibility and likability.

This guide provides a robust starting point. The journey to fluency, especially in a business context, involves continuous learning, active listening, and courageous practice. Don’t be afraid to use these terms, ask questions, and immerse yourself in conversations. As you become more comfortable, you’ll discover that your ability to communicate effectively in Filipino will not only enrich your personal experience but also provide a distinct competitive edge, paving the way for lasting success and meaningful collaborations in the Philippine entrepreneurial landscape. So, mag-usap tayo (let’s talk) and continue to explore the vibrant language of Filipino commerce!