Translate English to Tagalog Idioms

"Hello" in Tagalog

• Hoy - sometimes used as a greeting [remember to smile] endearingly in some parts of the Tagalog region. The tone however may suggest a negative address.
• Saan ka pupunta [where are you going], pasa'n ka [where are you going], san ka [where are you going] - usually this question follows "Hoy". Almost always, this question is rhetorical when used in greetings. One can simply answer "d'yan lang" [there, not very far], or "dine/dito" [here], or "doon" [there, may be far]. Of course unless the question truly demands an answer, there will be a follow up question, but usually, this already acknowledges a cultural form of "hello".
• Kamusta ka - this means "how are you" and is the best translation of "hello"

"Anybody home?" in Tagalog

• Tao po - before entering a home, knocking on doors is politely accompanied by this formal address.Literally this simply calls on somebody to answer the door. Tao means man or woman, po is a polite expression in the Tagalog region only.
• Sino po sila [who's there], Sino pong hinahanap nila [who are you looking for]
• Sino pong kailangan nila [who do you need] - these are common responses.
• Wala po rito [He / she is not here]
• Sandali lang po [a moment please] - this is a second response, remember that "po" sometimes becomes "ho". Both carries the polite tone of the language.

"Welcome" in Tagalog

• Tuloy po kayo/ Pasok po kayo - this both translates to come in. A Filipino "welcome" depending on context, can mean more than allowing somebody into one's home for just a moment. So, if you are told to "pasok muna po kayo't magkape" - "come in and have coffee," this simply means that you may linger long. In some parts of the Tagalog region, even if you're just passing by, a host will call on you and extend a spontaneous invitation "Daan muna't magkape" - meaning "Stop by and have coffee." But you can decline and interpret this freely as simply a form of "Hello"
• If you are "welcome to stay" then you will be told "dito ka na muna lumagi" or "dito ka na muna" or "puwede kang tumigil dito" [you can stay here in my house for a short while].
• "Welcome" in a corporate sense (for example, when you are welcoming participants to a convention) can just be "Welcome" with your sincere appreciation. "Tuloy po kayo" is still applicable, but you may also add "Maligayang Pagdalo" Approximately meaning "We are happy that you are attending."
• "Bahala na po kayo dyan" approximately meaning in context "Up to you to enjoy" or
• "Pagdamutan po ninyo ang aming nakayanan" which can be interpreted in context to mean "We prepared something small, but hopefully, you'll enjoy your stay."

For learners of Tagalog out there, these Tagalog idiomatic expressions carry the Filipino trait of hospitality. Other english to tagalog idioms will give a hint of other Filipino cultural traits.