Learning Tagalog becomes even more fun when you explore everyday words you’ll actually hear in the Philippines — especially when it comes to transportation. Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or simply curious about Filipino culture, knowing the names of vehicles and travel‑related terms can be incredibly useful.
In this post, you’ll learn common Tagalog words for vehicles, transportation, car parts, road trip terms, and example sentences you can use right away.
Common Vehicles in Tagalog
A vehicle is any mode of transportation that takes you from one place to another. Here are the most common ones in the Philippines:
Kotse – car
Bus – bus
Trak – truck
Motorsiklo – motorcycle
Bisikleta – bicycle
Bangka – boat
Barko – ship
Eroplano – airplane
Tren – train
Transportation Words in Tagalog
These words are useful when talking about travel, commuting, or directions:
Transportasyon – transportation
Sasakyan – vehicle
Maneho – drive
Sumakay – ride
Parada – park
Huminto – stop
Trapiko – traffic
Kalsada – road
Daan – street
Highway – highway
Car Parts in Tagalog
If you’re learning about cars or driving in the Philippines, these words will help:
Makina – engine
Gulong – tire
Manibela – steering wheel
Preno – brake
Kambyo – gear
Gasolina – gasoline
Langis – oil
Other Popular Modes of Transportation
The Philippines has many unique and iconic ways to get around:
Dyip / Jeepney – the colorful king of the road
Tricycle – three‑wheeled local transport
Pedicab – bicycle‑powered trike
Taksi – taxi
Grab – ride‑hailing car service
MRT – Metro Rail Transit
LRT – Light Rail Transit
PNR – Philippine National Railways
Angkas – motorcycle ride‑hailing
Joyride – motorcycle ride‑hailing
Jeepney‑Related Words
If you want to ride a jeepney like a local, these words are essential:
Tsuper – jeepney driver
Bayad / Pamasahe – fare
Ruta – route
Hintuan – stop
Terminal – terminal
Sukli – change
Para – “I want to get off here”
Going Places: Useful Travel Words
Perfect for trips, adventures, and exploring:
Biyahe – travel, trip
Paglalakbay – journey
Turista – tourist
Libot – explore
Lakad – walk
Lakbay – travel
Punta – go, visit
Dalampasigan – beach
Bundok – mountain
Bukid – field
Magbisikleta – ride a bike
Magmaneho – drive a car
Sumakay ng dyip – take a jeepney
Sumakay ng tricycle – take a tricycle
Road Trip Vocabulary
Useful for long drives and weekend adventures:
Kalsada – road
Daan – street
Expressway – expressway
Palengke – market
Tindahan – store
Gasolinahan – gas station
Paradahan – parking lot
Mapagkukunan – fuel
Pasalubong – souvenir
Tawid – cross the road
Byahe – commute
Babala – warning
Tanda – sign
Trapiko – traffic
Aksidente – accident
Directions and Navigation Words
Helpful when asking for directions or navigating:
Direksyon – direction
Sandamakmak – plenty, a lot
Dako – far
Malapit – near
Kaliwa – left
Kanan – right
Itaas – up
Ibaba – down
Sundan – follow
Naligaw – got lost
Vehicles with Example Sentences
Here are common vehicles with simple Tagalog sentences:
Eroplano – Ito ang pinakaligtas na eroplano na nagawa.
Ambulansya – Naghintay kami ng ambulansya.
Backhoe – Makakahukay ang backhoe.
Bisikleta – Lagi niyang sinasakyan ang pulang bisikleta.
Bangka – Nasa lawa ang bangka.
Bus – Nakita ko ang aking bus na papalapit.
Kotse – Sumakay kami sa kotse.
Karwahe – Naghihintay ang kabayo at karwahe.
Truck ng semento – Nandito na ang truck ng semento.
Krane – Kailangan natin ng krane upang itaas ito.
Dump truck – Umatras ang dump truck.
Fire truck – Pula ang brandi ng sunog.
Forklift – Ginagamit ang forklift upang magdala ng mabibigat na karga.
Front end loader – Bumili siya ng bago para sa landscaping.
Truck ng basura – Tumutulong ito sa paglilinis ng kapitbahayan.
Helicopter – Lumilipad ang helicopter sa ibabaw ng gubat.
Motorsiklo – Tumatakbo ang motorsiklo sa kalsada.
Kotse ng pulis – Nagpapatrolya ito sa gabi.
Truck ng recycling – Nagkokolekta ito ng mga bagay na maaaring gamitin muli.
Sasakyan ng paaralan – Dinadala nito ang mga estudyante sa paaralan.
Eskuter – Bumili siya ng bagong eskuter.
Skateboard – Gusto kong panoorin ang mga stunt.
Skid loader – Ginagamit ito sa pagkukuha ng lupa.
Ubmarino – Bumaba ang ubmarino sa karagatan.
Taxi – Naghihintay ako ng taxi.
Tow truck – Dinala nito ang sirang kotse sa talyer.
Traktora – Ginagamit ito sa bukid.
Tren – Narinig ko ang tunog ng tren.
Van – Ipaparking ko na ang van.
Final Thoughts
Learning Tagalog vehicle vocabulary helps you navigate the Philippines more confidently — whether you’re commuting in Manila, exploring the provinces, or simply expanding your language skills. These words are practical, fun, and used every day by Filipinos.