I saw a post last week on some of the most beautiful words in Filipino, the Philippine national language. Inspired by this, I would like to share the 20 words in Filipino that I find most amusing.
WORDS DERIVED FROM ENGLISH OR SPANISH
Sirit (excl.)
to give up (in a guessing game)
This is perhaps derived from the English "share it", as in: "I give up, just share it."
This is perhaps derived from the English "share it", as in: "I give up, just share it."
Sino ang anak ng Tatay at Nanay mo na hindi mo naman kapatid? Sirit?
Syempre (adv.)
of course, certainly
Derived from Spanish "siempre", which means "always."
The meaning could have changed from something always happening to: Of course, it just has to happen.
Derived from Spanish "siempre", which means "always."
The meaning could have changed from something always happening to: Of course, it just has to happen.
Eh sinong bestfriend mo do'n?
Syempre ikaw lang!
expression of exasperation
The term comes from "bullshit." However, the Filipino variation is much milder
and could be used in ordinary conversation.
The term comes from "bullshit." However, the Filipino variation is much milder
and could be used in ordinary conversation.
Nakakabuysit ka talaga!
Bek (n., v.)
to give back the basketball in a shooting practice;
the act of giving back the ball in a shooting practice
Perhaps from the English "back", as in: "Hey man, give that ball bek."
the act of giving back the ball in a shooting practice
Perhaps from the English "back", as in: "Hey man, give that ball bek."
Pare, may bek pa yan.
VERB FORMS ADAPTED FROM ENGLISH
Sinisituit (v.)
making sure
Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of see to it.
Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of see to it.
Sinisituit talaga namin na sinusunod namin ang game plan.
Shyumyut (v.)
went in
Filipino adaptation of the past tense of shoot.
Filipino adaptation of the past tense of shoot.
Last 2 minutes na, tumira siya, buti na lang at shyumyut.
Shyinyut (v.)
went in (focus on person doing the action)
(I don't know the linguistic term for this, somebody please help.)
Filipino adaptation of the past tense of shoot.
(I don't know the linguistic term for this, somebody please help.)
Filipino adaptation of the past tense of shoot.
Last 2 minutes! Nakuha nya ang bola. Drinibol. Shyinyut... at... shyumyut!
Miniminimays (v.)
minimizing (e.g. a computer window)
Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of minimize.
Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of minimize.
Kapag minumultitask ko ang aking trabaho sa kompyuter,
miniminimaynimo ko kung anu-anong windows ang miniminimays ko.
miniminimaynimo ko kung anu-anong windows ang miniminimays ko.
Iniskan (v.)
scanned
Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of scan.
Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of scan.
Iniskan nya ang litrato.
Iskinan (v.)
scanned, variation 1
An awkwardly conjugated Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of scan.
scanned, variation 1
An awkwardly conjugated Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of scan.
Iskinan nya uli ang litrato.
Siniskan (v.)
scanned, variation 2
Siniskan nya na naman ang litrato.
A more awkwardly conjugated Filipino adaptation of the present progressive form of scan.
PURE FILIPINO WORDS
Nakakapagpabagabag (adj.)
could cause anxiety
I bet you didn't read this word right the first time. Read it ten times, faster each time.
I bet you didn't read this word right the first time. Read it ten times, faster each time.
Kapag may kabag ay tunay na nakakapagpabagabag,
nakakapagpabagabag, nakakapagpabagabag, nakakapagpabagabag.
nakakapagpabagabag, nakakapagpabagabag, nakakapagpabagabag.
Hangal (adj.)
fool
Exaggerate the consonants and you'll have a handy word to use when you're disappointed or angry.
Mga hhha-ng-ng-ng-ngallllll!
Tampisaw (v.)
You could see and hear water splashing as you read the word... well, almost.
Masarap magtampisaw sa baybayin.
Wagas (adj.), together with
Walang-maliw (adj.)
to wade in the water
You could see and hear water splashing as you read the word... well, almost.
Masarap magtampisaw sa baybayin.
Wagas (adj.), together with
Walang-maliw (adj.)
pure; endless, faithful
Didn't you feel the purity and faithfulness of these words?
Didn't you feel the purity and faithfulness of these words?
Ang pag-ibig ko'y wagas at walang maliw.
Kagila-gilalas (adj.), together with
Kapana-panabik (adj.)
daring; exciting
Just reading these words already makes your heart jump.
Nagtanghal sila ng isang kagilagilalas at kapanapanabik na sayaw.
Hanapbuhay (n.; v.)
daring; exciting
Just reading these words already makes your heart jump.
Nagtanghal sila ng isang kagilagilalas at kapanapanabik na sayaw.
Hanapbuhay (n.; v.)
work
Literally means to look for a living
Maghanapbuhay para mabuhay,
Habang may buhay ay maghanapbuhay;
Mabuhay ang hanapbuhay!
Literally means to look for a living
Maghanapbuhay para mabuhay,
Habang may buhay ay maghanapbuhay;
Mabuhay ang hanapbuhay!
Nagdadalang-tao (adj.)
pregnant
Literally means carrying a person.
Literally means carrying a person.
Ano!? Nagdadalang-tao siya?
Malamang. Alangan namang nagdadalang-tsongo!
See also: Sample Tagalog Math Questions in UPCAT (UP College Admission Test)
Malamang. Alangan namang nagdadalang-tsongo!
See also: Sample Tagalog Math Questions in UPCAT (UP College Admission Test)
