The Philippines is home to more than 180 languages, many of which share common roots, vocabulary, and grammatical structures. Among these, several languages exhibit strong similarities to Tagalog, the basis of Filipino, the country’s national language. It is a member of the Austronesian language family. According to the eLinguistics.net analysis using specific software modules to assess linguistic relationships, the five languages most similar to Tagalog are Ilonggo, Kinaray-a, Cebuano, Bikol, and Tausug.
- Ilonggo (87.3)
Ilonggo is primarily spoken in Western Visayas and parts of Mindanao. It shares a considerable amount of vocabulary with Tagalog. A large number of words in Hiligaynon are cognates with Tagalog, due to their common Austronesian heritage. For example, “mahal” (expensive/love in Tagalog) is “mahal” in Ilonggo as well. - Kinaray-a (83.5)
Kinaray-a is often grouped with Ilonggo but is distinct in its own right. Spoken mainly in rural areas of Panay Island, Kinaray-a maintains many features of old Visayan languages. Like Ilonggo, Kinaray-a shares many words with Tagalog. Words like “mata” (eye) and “kamay” (hand) are identical. - Cebuano (79.9)
Cebuano is the second-most spoken language in the Philippines, with a presence in Cebu, Bohol, and Mindanao. Though it shares many features with Tagalog, Cebuano has its distinct identity. However, Cebuano’s vocabulary is heavily influenced by Spanish and other Visayan dialects, and it has distinct phonological features. - Bikol (71.0)
Bikol is spoken in the Bicol Peninsula and parts of Southern Luzon. While geographically closer to Tagalog-speaking regions, Bikol has distinct differences but also key similarities. Bikol’s main difference lies in its phonology and additional vocabulary influences from the region’s pre-colonial languages and trade routes, giving it a unique sound. - Tausug (67.5)
Tausug is spoken by the Tausug people in the Sulu Archipelago and parts of Mindanao. While Tausug comes from a different subgroup (the Southern Philippine languages), it still shares significant similarities with Tagalog. However, Tausug has been influenced heavily by its historical contact with Islamic culture, giving it a distinct identity.
(to be considered for the list, the language must be spoken by at least one million people)