20 Nursery Rhymes in Tagalog with English Translations

Nursery Rhymes in Tagalog with English Translations

Nursery Rhymes Tagalog – A list of Filipino nursery rhymes with lyrics and English translations.

It’s never too early to stimulate young minds and get little ones excited about learning a language. There are countless ways children can be engaged and taught by parents and caregivers creatively, and one of them is introducing nursery rhymes. Singing nursery rhymes together with your children is not only educational, but it’s also an opportunity to connect and bond.

Here are a few nursery rhymes in Tagalog to enjoy with your kids!

Nursery Rhymes Tagalog

A list of nursery rhymes in Tagalog with their English translations

1. Tong, Tong, Tong, Tong, Pakitong-kitong

Tong, tong, tong, tong, pakitong-kitong
Alimango sa dagat, malaki at masarap
Kay hirap hulihin, sapagkat nangangagat

Tang, tang, tang, tang, pakitang-kitang
Alamanga sa dagat, malaka at masarap
Kay harap halahan, sapagkat nangangagat

Teng, teng, teng, teng, peketeng-keteng
Elemenge se deget, meleke et meserep
Key herep helehen, sepegket nengengeget

Ting, ting, ting, ting, pikiting-kiting
Ilimingi si digit, miliki it misirip
Kiy hirip hilihin, sipigkit ningingigit

Tong, tong, tong, tong, pokotong-kotong
Olomongo so dogot, moloko ot mosorop
Koy horop holohon, sopogkot nongongogot

Tung, tung, tung, tung, pukutung-kutung
Ulumungu su dugut, muluku ut musurup
Kuy hurup huluhun, supugkut nungungugut

English Translation
Tong, tong, tong, tong, pakitong-kitong
Crab in the sea, big and delicious
So difficult to catch because it bites
With each repetition of the verse, replace all the vowels with a, e, i, o, u respectively.

2. Bahay Kubo

Bahay kubo kahit munti
Ang halaman doon
Ay sari-sari
Singkamas at talong
Sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani
Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa
Atsaka mayroon pang
Labanos, mustasa
Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang, at luya
Sa paligid-ligid ay maraming linga

English Translation
Nipa hut, although it’s small
The plants in there
Are varied
Jicama and eggplant
Winged bean and peanut
String beans, hyacinth beans, lima beans
Ash gourd, sponge gourd, bottle gourd, and squash
And still there are more
Radish, mustard
Onion, tomato, garlic, and ginger
And all around are lots of sesame plants

3. Ako Ay May Lobo

Ako ay may lobo
Lumipad sa langit
‘Di ko na nakita
Pumutok na pala

Sayang ang pera ko
Binili ng lobo
Kung pagkain sana
Nabusog pa ako

English Translation
I had a balloon
It flew to the sky
I never saw it again
Turns out it popped

My money went to waste
Buying that balloon
If I had bought food
I would be full instead

4. Pen Pen De Sarapen

Pen pen de sarapen
De kutsilyo de almasen
Haw haw de karabaw
Batuten
Sipit namimilipit
Ginto’t pilak namumulaklak
Sa tabi ng dagat
Sayang pula
Tatlong pera
Sayang puti
Tatlong salapi
Sawsaw sa suka
Mahuli taya
Sawsaw sa suka
Mahuli taya

English Translation
Pen, pen from Sarapen
A knife from the department store
How, how the carabao
Stinks!
Pinching tongs,
Gold and silver,
Blooming near the sea
Skirt that’s red
Three money
Skirt that’s white
Three coins
Dip in the vinegar
Last one’s it
Dip in the vinegar
Last one’s it
This nursery rhyme in Tagalog doesn’t really make sense and it includes a few nonsensical words. This is the equivalent of Eenie, meenie, minie, mo.

5. Leron Leron Sinta

Leron leron sinta
Buko ng Papaya
Dala dala’y buslo
Sisidlan ng bunga
Pagdating sa dulo’y
Nabali ang sanga
Kapos kapalaran
Humanap ng iba

Gumising ka Neneng
Tayo’y manampalok
Dalhin mo ang buslo,
Sisidlan ng hinog
Pagdating sa dulo’y
Lalamba-lambayog
Kumapit ka Neneng
Baka ka mahulog.

English Translation:
Leron leron my love
Papaya sprouts above
Bringing a basket
To hold the fruit
Upon reaching the top
The branch broke
What unfortunate luck
Find a different one

Wake up Neneng
Let’s pick tamarind
Bring your basket
To hold the ripe fruit
Upon reaching the top
The branch sways
Hold tight Neneng
Lest you fall off.

6. Tatlong Bibe

May tatlong bibe akong nakita
Mataba, mapayat mga bibe
Ngunit ang may pakpak
Sa likod ay iisa
Siya ang lider na
Nagsabi ng kwak kwak
Kwak kwak kwak! Kwak kwak kwak!
Siya ang lider na nagsabi ng kwak kwak

Tayo na sa ilog ang sabi
Kumendeng kumendeng ang mga bibe
Ngunit ang may pakpak sa likod ay iisa
Siya ang lider na nagsabi ng kwak kwak
Kwak kwak kwak! Kwak kwak kwak!
Siya ang lider na nagsabi ng kwak kwak

English Translation:
I saw three ducklings
A fat one, a thin one
But there was only one with a wing on its back
It’s the leader that said quack quack
Quack quack quack! Quack quack quack!
It’s the leader that said quack quack

Let’s go to the river it said
Waddle, waddle the ducklings went
But there was only one with a wing on its back
It’s the leader that said quack quack
Quack quack quack! Quack quack quack!
It’s the leader that said quack quack

7. One Day Isang Araw

One day, isang araw
I saw, nakakita
One bird, isang ibpn
Flying, lumilupad
I shoot, binaril ko
I pick, pinulot ko
I cook, niluto ko
I eat, kinain ko

8. Sampung Mga Daliri

Sampung mga daliri
Kamay at paa
Dalawang tainga, dalawang mata
Ilong na maganda
Maliliit na ngipin
Masarap kumain
Dilang maliit nagsasabi
Huwag magsinungaling

English Translation:
Ten fingers
Hands and feet
Two ears, two eyes
A beautiful nose
Little teeth
Eating deliciously
Little tongue is saying
Do not lie

9. Kung Ikaw Ay Masaya

Kung ikaw ay masaya
Tumawa ka
*Ha ha ha!*
Kung ikaw ay masaya
Tumawa ka
*Ha ha ha!*
Kung ikaw ay masaya
Buhay mo ay sisigla
Kung ikaw ay masaya
Tumawa ka
*Ha ha ha!*

Kung ikaw ay masaya
Pumalakpak
*Clap clap clap*
Kung ikaw ay masaya
Pumalakpak
*Clap clap clap*
Kung ikaw ay masaya
Buhay mo ay sisigla
Kung ikaw ay masaya pumalakpak
*Clap clap clap*

Kung ikaw ay masaya
Pumadyak ka
*Thud thud thud*
Kung ikaw ay masaya
Pumadyak ka
*Thud thud thud*
Kung ikaw ay masaya
Buhay mo ay sisigla
Kung ikaw ay masaya pumadyak ka
*Thud thud thud*

English:
If you’re happy
Laugh
*Ha ha ha!*
If you’re happy
Laugh
*Ha ha ha!*
If you’re happy
Your life will be lively
If you’re happy, laugh
*Ha ha ha!*

If you’re happy
Clap your hands
*Clap clap clap*
If you’re happy
Clap your hands
*Clap clap clap*
If you’re happy
Your life will be lively
If you’re happy, clap your hands
*Clap clap clap*

If you’re happy
Stomp your feet
*Thud thud thud*
If you’re happy
Stomp your feet
*Thud thud thud*
If you’re happy
Your life will be lively
If you’re happy, stomp your feet
*Thud thud thud*

10. Sitsiritsit Alibangbang

Sitsiritsit, alibangbang
Salaginto at salagubang
Ang babae sa lansangan
Kung gumiri’y parang tandang

Santo Niño sa Pandacan
Puto seko sa tindahan
Kung ayaw mong magpautang
Uubusin ka ng langgam

Mama, mama, namamangka
Pasakayin yaring bata.
Pagdating sa Maynila
Ipagpalit ng manika

Ale, ale namamayong
Pasukubin yaring sanggol
Pagdating sa Malabon
Ipagpalit ng bagoong

English Translation:
Sitsiritsit, butterfly
Goldbug and June bug
The woman on the street
Struts like a rooster

Blessed Child in Pandacan
Rice biscuits at the store
If you won’t lend me any money
The ants will finish you off

Sir, sir, rowing the boat
Let this child ride along
Once you get to Manila
Trade her for a doll

Miss, miss, with the umbrella
Let this baby take shade
Once you get to Malabon
Trade her for fermented shrimp paste

Nursery Rhymes Tagalog With English Translations

You are half way! Check out more nursery rhymes in Tagalog with English translations below!

11. Kamusta

Kamusta, kamusta, kamusta
Kamusta kayong lahat
Ako’y tuwang tuwa
Masaya’t nagagalak
Tra la la la la la la la
Tra la la la la la la la
Tra la la la la la la la
Tra la la la la la la la

English Translation:
How are you, how are you, how are you
How are all of you
I’m extremely happy
Happy and delighted
Tra la la la la la la la
Tra la la la la la la la
Tra la la la la la la la
Tra la la la la la la la

12. Paru-parong Bukid

Paru-parong bukid
Na lilipad-lipad
Sa tabi ng daan
Papaga-pagaspas
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad

May payneta pa siya
Uy!
May suklay pa mandin
Uy!
Naguas de ojetes
Ang palalabasin

Haharap sa altar
At mananalamin
At saka lalakad
Nang pakendeng-kendeng

English:
Butterfly at the farm
Flitting and floating
By the roadside
Fluttering in the air
Sari wrapped around her
Sleeves, a handspan long
Skirt’s a trifle oversized
Ends are dragging on the ground

She has an ornamental hair pin
Uy!
And even a comb
Uy!
Decorated half-slip
Drawing others to peep

She would face the altar
Ogling her reflection
And then she would come and tease us
Hips swaying like a duck

13. Magtanim Ay Di Biro

Magtanim ay di biro
Maghapong nakayuko
Di man lang makaupo
Di man lang makatayo
Braso ko’y namamanhid
Baywang ko’y nangangawit
Binti ko’y namimitig
Sa pagkababad sa tubig

Sa umaga paggising
Ang lahat iisipin
Kung saan may patanim
May masarap na pagkain
Braso ko’y namamanhid
Baywang ko’y nangangawit
Binti ko’y namimitig
Sa pagkababad sa tubig

Halina, halina, mga kaliyag
Tayo’y magsipag unat-unat
Magpanibago tayo ng lakas
Para sa araw ng bukas
Para sa araw ng bukas

English Translation:
Planting rice is not a joke
All day long you’re bent over
Can’t sit down at all
Can’t stand up at all
My arms are numb
My waist is tired
My legs are fatigued
From being soaked in the water

In the morning when I wake up
I think about everything
Where there’s land to till
There’s delicious food to eat
My arms are numb
My waist is tired
My legs are fatigued
From being soaked in the water

Come on, come on, my friends
Let’s stretch
And refresh to regain strength
For the future
For the future

14. Jack En Poy

Jack en poy
Hale hale hoy
Sinumang matalo ay siyang unggoy
Lalalalalalalala
Sinumang matalo ay siyang unggoy

English Translation:
Jack and poy
Hale hale hoy
Whoever loses is the monkey
Lalalalalalalala
Whoever loses is the monkey

15. Ang Pusa

Ang pusa, ang pusa
Nag-aabang, nag-aabang
Hinabol ng pusa ang pobreng daga
Sa takot nito’y sumuot sa lungga
Hangad ng pusa madakma ang daga
‘Yan ang pusa

English:
The cat, the cat
Waiting, waiting
The cat chased after the poor mouse
It was so frightened it hid in its hole
The cat hopes to catch the mouse
That’s the cat

16. Natutulog, Natutulog

Natutulog, natutulog
Si Lolo, Si Lola
Gising na Lolo
Gising na Lola
Umaga na, umaga na

Natutulog, natutulog
Si Tatay, Si Nanay
Gising na Tatay
Gising na Nanay
Umaga na, umaga na

Natutulog, natutulog
Si Kuya, Si Ate
Gising na Kuya
Gising na Ate
Umaga na, umaga na

English Translation:
Sleeping, sleeping
Grandpa, Grandma
Wake up Grandpa
Wake up Grandma
It’s morning, it’s morning

Sleeping, sleeping
Father, Mother
Wake up Father
Wake up Mother
It’s morning, it’s morning

Sleeping, sleeping
Big brother, big sister
Wake up big brother
Wake up big sister
It’s morning, it’s morning

17. Tayo Ay Magsipilyo

Umaga, tanghali, gabi
Tayo ay magsipilyo
Ngipin natin
Mas maputi
Kay gandang ngumiti
Tra la la la la la la
Ngumiti ng maganda

English Translation:
Morning, noon, evening
Let’s brush our teeth
Our teeth
Will be whiter
How great to smile
Tra la la la la la la
Smile so bright

18. Sampung Malulusog Na Bata

Isa, dalawa, tatlong mga bata
Apat, lima, anim na mga bata
Pito, walo, siyam na mga bata
Sampung malulusog na bata

English Translation:
One, two, three little children
Four, five, six little children
Seven, eight, nine little children
Ten little healthy children

19. Maliliit Na Gagamba

Maliliit na gagamba
Umakyat sa sanga
Dumating ang ulan
At itinaboy sila
Sumikat ang araw
Natuyo ang sanga
Maliliit na gagamba
Ay palaging masaya

English Translation:
Itsy bitsy spiders
Went up the tree branch
The rain came down
And washed them all away
Out came the sun
And dried up the branch
So the itsy bitsy spiders
Are always happy

20. Mga Palaka

Mga palaka
Mga palaka
Sila’y masasaya
Malaki ang mata
Maliit ang paa
Magaling kung kumanta
Kokak, kokak, kokak, kokak
Oh gali, gali, gak
Kokak, kokak, kokak, kokak

English Translation:
Frogs
Frogs
They’re happy
Big eyes
Small feet
They sing so well
Croak, croak, croak, croak
Oh gali, gali, gak
Croak, croak, croak, croak

Filipino Nursery Rhymes for Kids

We hope you enjoy this list of Nursery Rhymes in Tagalog and singalong with your kids regularly. If you are looking for more, take a look at our English list: Nursery Rhymes for Kids and Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes.

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Author: Regine Orme is mother of 3 raising multicultural kids. Originally from the Philippines, Regine moved to Norway with her family at 14 years old. She graduated with a BA in Psychology in Brigham Young University-Hawaii where she met her husband and moved to Washington, DC.