When you're just starting to learn Tagalog, 'bili' is a super important word to know! It means 'to buy'. You'll use it all the time when you're shopping, whether it's for food at the market or clothes at the mall. Think of it as one of your first steps to talking about everyday activities in Tagalog. Learning 'bili' at an A1 level means you can understand and use it in very simple sentences.
§ Understanding "Bili"
The Tagalog word "bili" is a fundamental verb that means "to buy." It's an essential word for daily interactions, especially when shopping or discussing purchases. Learning "bili" early on will help you navigate many common situations in the Philippines.
- DEFINITION
- To buy.
§ Basic Usage of "Bili"
"Bili" can be used in various tenses and forms depending on the context of your sentence. Here are some common ways you'll hear and use it.
- Bibili: This is the future tense, meaning "will buy."
- Binili: This is the past tense, meaning "bought."
- Bumili: This is an actor-focused verb, meaning "to buy" or "bought" (by the actor).
- Bilhin: This is an object-focused verb, meaning "to buy something" (focus on the item being bought).
Bibili ako ng tinapay mamaya. (I will buy bread later.)
Binili niya ang libro kahapon. (He/She bought the book yesterday.)
Bumili kami ng bagong kotse. (We bought a new car.)
Bilhin mo 'yan! (Buy that!)
§ Similar Words and When to Use "Bili" vs. Alternatives
While "bili" is the most direct translation for "to buy," there are a few related terms or situations where you might use a slightly different word or phrase. However, for the most part, "bili" will be your go-to.
- Pagbili: This is the noun form, meaning "the act of buying" or "purchase." You'll often see this in formal contexts or referring to a transaction.
Mahalaga ang pagbili ng sariwang gulay. (The purchase of fresh vegetables is important.)
- Mamili: This means "to shop" or "to buy things generally." It implies a broader activity of looking for and acquiring multiple items, rather than a single specific purchase. While "bili" can be used for a single item, "mamili" suggests a more extended shopping trip.
Gusto kong mamili sa palengke. (I want to shop at the market.)
For most everyday conversations about acquiring something for money, "bili" is the word you'll use. Unless you're referring to the general activity of shopping or the noun form of a purchase, stick with "bili" and its various conjugated forms. It's clear, direct, and universally understood.
You might also encounter phrases like "kumuha" (to get/take) in situations where someone is acquiring something, but it doesn't specifically imply a monetary transaction. For example, you might "kumuha ng tubig" (get water) from a dispenser, but you would "bumili ng tubig" (buy water) from a store. The distinction is in the exchange of money.
Mastering "bili" is a key step in building your Tagalog vocabulary for practical, real-world use. Practice using its different forms in sentences, and you'll quickly become comfortable with it.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine a bee (sounds like 'bi') trying to 'buy' honey. Bili = buy.
Association visuelle
Picture a bustling market, full of people 'buying' different goods. Focus on the act of exchange, of 'bili-ing' items.
Word Web
Défi
Try using 'bili' in simple sentences throughout your day. For example, 'Gusto ko bumili ng kape.' (I want to buy coffee.) or 'Bibili ako ng pagkain.' (I will buy food.)
Teste-toi 48 questions
Gusto kong ___ ng bagong sapatos. (I want to ___ new shoes.)
'Bumili' means 'to buy,' which fits the context of wanting new shoes.
Saan tayo pwedeng ___ ng pagkain? (Where can we ___ food?)
'Bumili' means 'to buy,' which is what you do with food when asking where.
Nais kong ___ ng regalo para sa nanay ko. (I want to ___ a gift for my mother.)
'Bumili' means 'to buy,' which is a common action when getting a gift.
Magkano ang ___ ng bigas? (How much is it to ___ rice?)
'Bumili' means 'to buy,' which is the action implied when asking about the cost of rice.
Pupunta ako sa palengke para ___ ng gulay. (I will go to the market to ___ vegetables.)
At the market, you 'buy' (bumili) vegetables.
Pwede mo bang ___ ito para sa akin? (Can you ___ this for me?)
The context implies asking someone to 'buy' something for you.
What do they want to buy?
Where are they going to buy vegetables?
What will I buy tomorrow?
Read this aloud:
Bumili ka na ba ng bigas?
Focus: Bumili, bigas
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Gusto kong bumili ng pagkain.
Focus: Gusto, bumili, pagkain
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Kailan ka bibili ng prutas?
Focus: Kailan, bibili, prutas
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence about buying food at the market. Use 'bili' correctly.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Bibili ako ng pagkain sa palengke.
Imagine you need to buy a new shirt. Write a simple sentence expressing this in Tagalog.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Gusto kong bumili ng bagong damit.
You bought coffee yesterday. Write a sentence in Tagalog to describe this.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Bumili ako ng kape kahapon.
Ano ang binili ni Ana?
Read this passage:
Si Ana ay pumunta sa mall. Bumili siya ng bagong sapatos. Masaya siya sa kanyang binili.
Ano ang binili ni Ana?
The passage states, 'Bumili siya ng bagong sapatos,' which means 'She bought new shoes.'
The passage states, 'Bumili siya ng bagong sapatos,' which means 'She bought new shoes.'
Ano ang binili ni Juan sa tindahan?
Read this passage:
Gusto ni Juan na bumili ng prutas. Pumunta siya sa tindahan. Wala siyang nakitang mansanas kaya saging ang binili niya.
Ano ang binili ni Juan sa tindahan?
Juan wanted to buy fruits, but since he didn't find apples, he bought bananas ('saging').
Juan wanted to buy fruits, but since he didn't find apples, he bought bananas ('saging').
Anong ginagawa ni Mang Tonyo araw-araw?
Read this passage:
Si Mang Tonyo ay bumibili ng isda araw-araw. Pagkatapos, niluluto niya ito para sa tanghalian.
Anong ginagawa ni Mang Tonyo araw-araw?
The passage says 'Si Mang Tonyo ay bumibili ng isda araw-araw,' meaning 'Mang Tonyo buys fish every day.'
The passage says 'Si Mang Tonyo ay bumibili ng isda araw-araw,' meaning 'Mang Tonyo buys fish every day.'
The speaker is asking about buying a new car.
The speaker wants to know where to buy vegetables.
The speaker bought a book yesterday.
Read this aloud:
Bibili ka ba ng bigas mamaya?
Focus: Bibili, bigas, mamaya
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Nasaan ang tindahan para bumili ng kape?
Focus: Nasaan, tindahan, bumili, kape
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Gusto kong bilhin ang sapatos na iyan.
Focus: Gusto, bilhin, sapatos, iyan
Tu as dit :
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Imagine you're planning a birthday party. Write a short paragraph in Tagalog describing what items you need to buy for the party. Include at least three items and use 'bili' (to buy) correctly.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Para sa kaarawan, kailangan kong bumili ng mga lobo, keyk, at regalo. Gusto kong bumili ng maraming pagkain para sa mga bisita.
You are making a shopping list for groceries. Write five sentences in Tagalog stating what you need to buy. Use various forms of 'bili' (to buy).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Bibili ako ng gulay para sa hapunan. Kailangan ko ring bumili ng mga prutas. Binili ko na ang bigas kahapon. Gusto kong bumili ng isda. Huwag kalimutang bumili ng kape.
You just bought a new gadget. Write a short review in Tagalog about your experience buying it. Mention where you bought it and if you are satisfied with your purchase. Use 'bili' at least twice.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Binili ko ang bagong cellphone online. Madali lang ang proseso ng pagbili. Masaya ako sa aking binili. Ang ganda ng cellphone at mabilis din.
Ano ang binili ni Ana sa palengke?
Read this passage:
Si Ana ay pumunta sa palengke upang bumili ng sariwang gulay. Nakita niya ang paborito niyang mangga kaya binili niya ito. Pagkatapos, bumili din siya ng isda para sa hapunan. Masaya si Ana dahil kumpleto na ang kanyang bibilhin.
Ano ang binili ni Ana sa palengke?
Ayon sa talata, binili ni Ana ang sariwang gulay, mangga, at isda.
Ayon sa talata, binili ni Ana ang sariwang gulay, mangga, at isda.
Para kanino ang sorpresa at ano ang planong bilhin?
Read this passage:
Magandang araw! Nagpaplano kami ng isang sorpresa para sa aming nanay. Kailangan naming bumili ng keyk, lobo, at regalo. Gusto naming bumili ng mga bulaklak din. Sana ay maging masaya siya sa aming bibilhin.
Para kanino ang sorpresa at ano ang planong bilhin?
Sinasabi sa talata na 'Nagpaplano kami ng isang sorpresa para sa aming nanay' at ang mga planong bilhin ay 'keyk, lobo, at regalo. Gusto naming bumili ng mga bulaklak din.'
Sinasabi sa talata na 'Nagpaplano kami ng isang sorpresa para sa aming nanay' at ang mga planong bilhin ay 'keyk, lobo, at regalo. Gusto naming bumili ng mga bulaklak din.'
Ano ang libangan ni Gino at paano siya bumibili ng mga bagay para dito?
Read this passage:
Si Gino ay isang kolektor ng lumang komiks. Kada buwan, bumibili siya ng mga bagong isyu mula sa iba't ibang tindahan. Minsan, bumibili din siya online. Malaki na ang koleksyon niya at balak pa niyang bumili ng mas marami.
Ano ang libangan ni Gino at paano siya bumibili ng mga bagay para dito?
Ayon sa talata, si Gino ay 'isang kolektor ng lumang komiks' at 'bumibili siya ng mga bagong isyu mula sa iba't ibang tindahan. Minsan, bumibili din siya online.'
Ayon sa talata, si Gino ay 'isang kolektor ng lumang komiks' at 'bumibili siya ng mga bagong isyu mula sa iba't ibang tindahan. Minsan, bumibili din siya online.'
The act of buying a ticket is required before entering the cinema.
They are discussing their strategy for buying property in another country.
We need to buy more supplies before our current inventory runs out.
Read this aloud:
Maaari mo bang ulitin ang proseso ng pagbili ng mga bahagi para sa proyektong ito?
Focus: pagbili ng mga bahagi
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Ano ang iyong pananaw sa etikal na pagbili ng mga produkto mula sa mga kumpanyang sumusuporta sa fair trade?
Focus: etikal na pagbili, fair trade
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Sa harap ng pabago-bagong ekonomiya, paano natin masisiguro ang matalino at mapanagutang pagbili?
Focus: pabago-bagong ekonomiya, matalino at mapanagutang pagbili
Tu as dit :
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This sentence expresses the desire to buy new clothes. 'Gusto kong' means 'I want to', 'bilhin' is the object-focused form of 'to buy', and 'mga bagong damit' means 'new clothes'.
This sentence describes a couple buying a new house. 'Ang mag-asawa' means 'the couple', 'bumili' is the actor-focused past tense of 'to buy', and 'ng bagong bahay' means 'a new house'.
This sentence means 'He will buy a gift for his friend'. 'Bibilihan' is the object-focused future tense of 'to buy', 'niya' is 'he/she', 'ng regalo' is 'a gift', and 'ang kanyang kaibigan' is 'his/her friend'.
Remembering Lola's advice about buying vegetables at the market.
If you choose to buy a house in the province, what are your main considerations?
It's important to examine every detail before buying any expensive property, isn't it?
Read this aloud:
Ilarawan ang karanasan mo sa pagbili ng iyong paboritong aklat.
Focus: bili, aklat, karanasan
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Sa iyong palagay, ano ang pinakamahusay na diskarte sa pagbili ng mga pangangailangan sa araw-araw?
Focus: palagay, pinakamahusay, diskarte, pangangailangan
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Kung mayroon kang walang hanggang pondo, ano ang una mong bibilhin at bakit?
Focus: walang, hanggang, pondo, bibilhin, bakit
Tu as dit :
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/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
