Filipino and English are the official languages of the country, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution. About 180 languages and dialects are also spoken in the islands, almost all of them belonging to the Borneo-Philippines group of the Malayo-Polynesian language branch of the Austronesian language family.

Filipino is the de facto standard version of Tagalog, spoken mainly in Metro Manila, and other urban regions. Both Tagalog and English are used in government, education, print and broadcast media, and business.

Other major regional languages include Bikol, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Kinaray-a, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, and Chavacano.

Other languages include Spanish, and Arabic, both recognized as auxiliary languages in the Philippine Constitution. The use of Spanish is prevalent among some groups of Hispanic mestizo; and Arabic is used by Filipino Muslim, and taught in madrasah (Muslim) schools.