Greetings
Saying Hi
There isn't really a word for "hi." Instead, a common greeting is "Good morning," "Good afternoon," etc.
Good morning — Maayong aga
Good noon — Maayong odto
Good afternoon — Maayong hapon
Good night — Maayong gab-i
The word maayo (good) is linked to the time of day with a "nga." However, instead of saying, "Maayo nga hapon," they use a shortcut. The "nga" is appended to the end of "maayo," and the "a" is dropped. "Maayo nga" becomes "Maayong." This is quicker and easier to say.
Odto is from 11am to 1pm. After that, it's hapon until the sun goes down, and then it's gab-i. If you use the wrong time of day, you are likely to be corrected by the person you are talking to.
How are you?
To ask how someone is doing, you use the word "kamusta," which comes from the Spanish "come esta." This can be used a few different ways. Just follow the basic formula: kamusta + ang phrase.
"How are you guys?" — "Kamusta kamo?"
"How are you?" — "Kamusta ka?"
"How is your wife doing?" — "Kamusta ang asawa mo?"
"How is your dog doing?" — "Kamusta ang idô mo?"
"How is your work going?" — "Kamusta ang obra mo?"
"How is Bing Bing?" — "Kamusta si Bing Bing?"