Time is an important aspect of learning a language, literally and figuratively. Even something as simple as knowing the days and months in Tagalog can make a difference. For instance, discussing dates, planning events, or understanding cultural references tied to specific months enriches your conversational skills and ability to engage with native speakers on a deeper level.
Understanding the months and days of the week in Tagalog connects you to the cultural rhythms and traditions of the Philippines. Many Filipino festivals and holidays are tied to specific dates. Knowing these terms allows you to participate in cultural conversations and shows respect for the traditions of Tagalog-speaking communities.
Let’s dive into the days of the week and months in Tagalog along with some traditions and celebrations tied to these:
Days of the Week in Tagalog
| English | Tagalog | Tagalog Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday |
Linggo |
ling-GOH |
|
Monday |
Lunes |
LOO-nes |
|
Tuesday |
Martes |
MAHR-tes |
|
Wednesday |
Miyerkules |
mee-YEHR-koo-les |
|
Thursday |
Huwebes |
hoo-WEH-bes |
|
Friday |
Biyernes |
bee-YEHR-nes |
|
Saturday |
Sabado |
SAH-bah-doh |
Months in Tagalog
1. Enero → January
- Pronunciation: eh-NEH-ro
- The Philippines follows the Gregorian calendar. Thus, the year starts with January.
- On the eve of December 31, Filipinos celebrate what is called Media Noche. Several dishes and round fruits fill the table to usher in the new year. Some of the dishes represent certain aspects of luck, like pancit or spaghetti for a longer life.
2. Pebrero → February
- Pronunciation: peb-REH-ro
- The Philippines also celebrates Valentine’s Day, or as it is locally known, Araw ng mga Puso [Day of the Hearts].
- Harana, the Filipino serenade, is an old courting tradition in which a man, along with his friends, sings to a lady. It takes place at night, and the men usually place themselves near the window of the lady’s room. The lady then watches the performance through the window.
3. Marso → March
- Pronunciation: MAR-so
- March typically marks the start of the dry season. This means hoards of people going to beaches to enjoy the summer sun.
- Speaking of summer, it wouldn’t be complete without eating halo-halo at least once. It is a dessert made up of shaved ice, condensed milk, and varying ingredients such as white beans, jack fruit, leche flan, jelly, sago, and so much more. As the name implies, you have to mix everything thoroughly first before eating it.
4. Abril → April
- Pronunciation: ab-REEL
- April is famous for its Holy Week celebrations, which are significant in Filipino culture.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Linggo ng Palaspas |
Palm Sunday |
|
Lunes Santo |
Holy Monday |
|
Martes Santo |
Holy Tuesday |
|
Miyerkules Santo |
Holy Wednesday |
|
Huwebes Santo |
Maundy Thursday |
|
Biyernes Santo |
Good Friday |
|
Sabado de Gloria |
Black Saturday |
|
Linggo ng Pagkabuhay |
Easter Sunday |
- Some devotees practice penitensiya during Holy Week. It is an act of self-flagellation that reenacts Jesus Christ’s suffering, from carrying the cross to the crucifixion. It is a form of repentance and a show of faith. The Catholic Church and the Department of Health, however, discourage this practice due to the risks involved.
5. Mayo → May
- Pronunciation: MAH-yo
- May 1 is known for the celebration of Labor Day, a commemoration of workers’ rights and achievements throughout the years.
- Labor Day is usually accompanied by a parade showing the different working sectors, mass demonstrations advocating for workers’ rights, and, of course, job fairs.
6. Hunyo → June
- Pronunciation: HOON-yo
- June ushers in the rainy season in the Philippines.
- Once a storm system enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it is assigned a Filipino-sounding name for the public to easily recall the names. The names are also arranged in alphabetical order to easily determine the number of typhoons that have hit the country.
7. Hulyo → July
- Pronunciation: HOOL-yo
- Presidential Decree 491 in 1974 states that Nutrition Month is to be held every July to promote the importance of nutrition among Filipinos.
- In schools, Nutrition Month is celebrated by organizing a variety of nutrition-related activities such as poetry writing, essay writing, and dula-dulaan or role-playing. Sometimes, the activity also includes a potluck where the students are encouraged to bring nutritious food to be shared among their classmates and the staff.
8. Agosto → August
- Pronunciation: ah-GOS-to
- Agosto makes way for the celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa [National Language Month] or Buwan ng Wika [Language Month].
- One of the activities related to Buwan ng Wika is the Balagtasan, a form of debate or verbal joust done in pure Tagalog. The activity was named after Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar, the author of Florante at Laura.
9. Setyembre → September
- Pronunciation: set-YEM-bre
- The start of the “ber” months signals the nearing Christmas celebration, hence the start of the countdown before Christmas Day.
- In the Philippines, Christmas is a long-term event. Christmas decorations are sold and put out even as early as September.
10. Oktubre → October
- Pronunciation: ok-TOOB-re
- Every year from September 5 to October 5 is National Teachers Month.
- October 5, in particular, is declared a non-working holiday for all teachers in the Philippines. This celebration seeks to honor the effort and sacrifices made by educators in molding minds.
11. Nobyembre → November
- Pronunciation: nob-YEM-bre
- November makes way for honoring the dead, with November 1 and 2 being All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, respectively. The Filipino term for this is Undas.
- Undas is a period in which Filipinos honor the dead and celebrate life by visiting the graves of their loved ones. It can range from solemn visits to energetic celebrations, reflecting the festive Filipino culture and values.
12. Disyembre → December
- Pronunciation: dis-YEM-bre
- Of course, the Philippine holidays are not complete without Christmas. It is usually a time when students and workers are given a long break to spend time with their loved ones.
- Noche Buena is a late dinner that starts on the eve of December 24 and continues on until December 25. It is a time when family members are usually complete, emphasizing the importance of family in Filipino culture. Hamon and queso de bola are usually among the various meals served.
Finding Time
Mastering the days of the week and months in Tagalog is a great step toward fluency and understanding Filipino culture. Each day and month carries its unique set of cultural references, traditions, and events that are integral to daily life in the Philippines. By familiarizing yourself with these terms and practicing regularly, you’ll be well on your way to confidently using Tagalog in your everyday conversations.
Additionally, understanding the dates in Tagalog can help you navigate practical aspects of life in the Philippines, such as making travel plans, setting appointments, and understanding local news and weather reports. This practical application of your language skills will boost your confidence and make your interactions more seamless and natural.
Speaking of language skills, one way you can sharpen your Tagalog skills is by using Turong Wika.
Turong Wika is a Tagalog-centered language learning app that focuses on teaching conversational Tagalog. From greetings to directions, you’ll surely be navigating conversations with other Tagalog speakers in no time.
Turong Wika also doesn’t let you fumble in the dark. It has a Cheat Sheet feature where you can have a quick look at your previous lessons and give yourself a quick refresher. The Practice feature, meanwhile, is where you can test your current knowledge by taking the interactive quiz.
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