How to Say "Instead of" in Tagalog | SA HALIP NA in English

Want to know how to say “instead of” in Tagalog? Learn “sa halip na,” the phrase Filipinos use to suggest alternatives or express a different choice. This Tagalog lesson shows how it appears in real conversations, with clear example sentences and English translations to make its use effortless to understand. By seeing “sa halip na” in context, you’ll be able to talk about preferences and options naturally, just like a native speaker.

Watch this video to learn how to say “Instead of” in Tagalog using the phrase “sa halip na.” Learn how to express alternatives or substitutions like a native speaker and start using sa halip na confidently in your own Tagalog sentences.

→ Instead of

Tubig ang ininom ko sa halip na softdrinks. (I drank water instead of soda.)

Nag-salad ako sa halip na fries. (I had salad instead of fries.)

Keso ang ilagay mo sa halip na mantikilya. (Put bread instead of butter.)

Sa bahay kami kumain sa halip na sa labas. (We ate at home instead of eating out.)

Sa halip na magalit, nanalangin siya. (Instead of getting mad, he prayed.)

Sa halip na bumili ng bago, inayos niya ang luma. (Instead of buying a new one, he fixed the old one.)

Almond milk ang ginamit niya sa halip na karaniwang gatas. (She used almond milk instead of regular milk.)

Sa palengke kami namili sa halip na sa supermarket. (We shopped at the public market instead of the supermarket.)

Maaga siyang gumising sa halip na magpatanghali. (He got up early instead of sleeping in.)

Nag-take out na lang kami sa halip na magluto. (We just ordered takeout instead of cooking.)

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Naglinis ako ng bahay sa halip na gumala.  (I cleaned the house instead of going out.)

Nag-Airbnb na lang kami sa halip na hotel. (We just booked an Airbnb instead of a hotel.)

Nag-bisikleta ako papasok sa trabaho sa halip na taxi. (I biked to work instead of taking a taxi.)

Gumamit ka ng itim na ballpen sa halip na lapis. (Use a black pen instead of a pencil.)

Magsuot ka ng bota sa halip na rubber shoes. (Wear boots instead of sneakers.)

Nag-barko kami sa halip na eroplano. (We took a boat instead of a plane.)

→ Rather than

Kalamansi ang ginamit sa halip na suka. (She used kalamansi rather than vinegar.)

Nag-basketball kami sa halip na volleyball. (We played basketball rather than volleyball.)

Maglalakad na lang ako sa halip na maghintay ng bus. (I’d rather walk than wait for the bus.)

Nag-paper plate kami sa halip na maghugas ng plato. (We used paper plates rather than wash dishes.)

Tumulong siyang maglinis sa halip na umupo lang. (He helped clean rather than just sit around.)

Sa library ako nag-aral sa halip na sa bahay. (I studied at the library rather than at home.)

Nagbaon kami ng tanghalian sa halip na bumili sa labas. (We brought lunch rather than buy outside.)

Mag-palda ka sa halip na pantalon. (Wear a skirt rather than pants.)

Matiyaga siyang naghintay sa halip na magreklamo. (He waited patiently rather than complain.)

Prutas ang kinain ko sa halip na tsitsirya. (I ate fruits rathan than chips.)

Cash ang ipinambayad niya sa halip na card. (He paid in cash rather than with a card.)

Nagkutsara siya sa halip na tinidor. (She used a spoon rather than a fork.)

Sumilong kami sa lilim sa halip na magpaaraw. (We stayed in the shade rather than under the sun.)

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