However, you’ll find it used a lot to express exasperation, like saying “Uh oh” or “OMG!” For example, if your girlfriend tells you her boyfriend just broke up with her, a good response would be, “hay naku.”, You know that moment when your friend says something unexpected or rude, and you look at them saying “what the…”? Who knows, it might just take off and be the new hip thing. ( Don’t make plans for something that might not happen. ), Binuksan ang dibdib (Ipinagtapat ang nasa loob), Isang kahig, Isangtuka ( Kakarampot na kitana hindi pa sapat), Kalapating mababa ang lipad( babaing nagbibili ng aliw), Pusong bakal ( Hindi marunong magpatawad). You might also think of it as “come and get it!”. ), Every cloud has a silver lining ( Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days), Feel a bit under the weather ( Feeling slighty ill), Give the benefits of the doubt ( Believe someone’s statement without proof. ", 50 IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (ENGLISH & FILIPINO), A penny for your thoughts ( A way of asking what someone is thinking), Actions speak louder than words (People’s intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say. The Filipino equivalent of these slang words is agik. Everyone has done it. ), Be glad to to see the back of ( Be happy when a person leaves. Once you're done with the Filipino Phrases, you might want to check the rest of our Filipino lessons here: Learn Filipino . ), Off one’s rocker ( Crazy, Demented, out of one’s mind. Style is not differentiated and the formal style in general use has been called the classroom compositional style… No matter what word is used with it anak ng _____ is used to express your annoyance with something. ( Happens very rarely. ), Costs an arm and a leg ( This idiom is used when something is very exprensive), Cross that bridge when you come to it (Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before. First word PRIMARILY because Filipino writer and good friend Gilda Cordero-Fernando died after a lingering illness on August 27 (amid the pandemic, but not of the coronavirus), I have turned my thoughts lately to the subject of Philippine literature in English and the remarkable phenomenon that many Filipino writers are exceptionally gifted in using English […] Meaning: A small neighbourhood store selling … What would life be like without your bestie? ), On the ball ( When someone understands the situation well. Romantic Tagalog words & phrases to use with your Filipina friend, boyfriend girlfriend, wife, husband, partner or lover. Slang in any language is pretty fun. “Okay” or “all right” is a common slang word used in English. ( Join a popular trend or activity), Keep something at bay. ), Can’t judge a book by its cover (Cannot judge something primarily on apperance. We use slang in English all the time. Be it words, phrases, texts or even your website pages - Translate.com will offer the best. ), Don’t pull all your eggs in one baskets. If you hear someone say, “ngek”, then it is not a good thing. I lost again.) It’s time to eat y'all! ), Beat around the bush. Gigil is quite unique among Filipino slang words. ( When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions), Elvis has left the building ( The show has come to an end. To put the word jeproks into an English context, you might think of someone that is from the hood. It means Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Lodi is the slang word to describe something or someone you idolize or your idol. ), Cut the mustard (Adequate enough to compete or participate), Don’t give up the day job ( You are not very good something. It describes that giddy first love feeling perfectly. Translate from Filipino to English. You won’t hear it being said to you when you enter rest… ), Miss the boat ( Someone missed his or her chance), Not playing with a full deck ( someone who lacks intelligence. Because of the influence of reading and writing and the academic context in which English is learned, local speech tends to be based on written models. Anak ng might also be used with tokwa meaning tofu or tinap meaning smoked fish. Filipino English The English language as used in the Philippines, a state of South-East Asia consisting of more than 7,000 islands. Just fill in the blank with any Tagalog noun, but the most common ones used by Filipinos are kamote (sweet potato), pating (shark), tokwa (tofu), teteng (no direct translation) and tinapa(smoked fish). The English language can connect people in different countries and can help people understand each other by speaking the English language for both parties. Some other basic Tagalog phrases. A good idea or plan. This is the first official Filipino word you might hear when you set foot in the Philippines if you’re flying with Philippine Airlines (PAL). Eat-All-You-Can. This Filipino idiom isn't uncommon to hear from parents playing cupids pairing up their kids. The English language starts in England and it is the West Germanic language. When someone is called jeproks, it means that he is cool and laid back. “Maligayang bati!” Maligayang bati is used if you want to greet someone well. As you can probably imagine, it is said in extreme frustration, “Susmariosep!” Give it a try! Useful Tagalog phrases. Even after the territory was ceded to the US at the end of the 19th century, Spanish remained the lingua franca for another century or so. Now that you know a little Filipino slang, you might want to expand your knowledge of Tagalog idioms. One - Isa - Isang piso ( to accomplish two different things at the same time), Last straw ( The final problem in a series of problems. Basta is actually a Filipino slang word taken from Spanish. ), Back to the drawing board ( When an attempt fails and it’s time to start all over. ), Curiosity killed the cat ( Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation. Well, it happens in the Philippines, too. For example, if someone is asking why they are doing something, the answer might be, “basta” (just because). Good morning. This is obviously not an exhaustive list of all the Tagalog phrases you will ever need, but here are a few most basics to get you started! Mp3 audio! To remember this Pinoy slang word, you might think “Ngeek”. The slang term for “that thing” is yung ano. Many words that the OED has categorized as Philippine English has made it to its pages, starting with “abaca” in 1928. Natalo na naman ako.” (Son of a tofu! You don’t need to add anymore because your meaning is quite clear. Have you ever had a moment where something is just so extraordinary that you can’t explain it or there just aren’t words? Megan L. Stiner) Okay, this first one was a new one for me. Do you say “son of a gun”? Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. ), Caught between two stools ( When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives. Accusing the wrong persons. MANILA -- Contrary to what many Filipinos think, Philippine English is a legitimate variety of the English language, according to an expert. This literally means rice and chicken, with the first word referring to rice and the second word to chicken. ), Barking up the wrong tree (Looking in the wrong place. This simply means right. Instead of saying, “I have no words,” you can simply sum it up by saying, “Churva!” This Filipino slang word also works as filler when you can’t think of something else to say, “It was so… you know… churva?!”. It is the version of the all-you-can-eat buffet, which offers unlimited food and drinks … It’s a common slang phrase that you see in English all of the time. Boondocks is... colugo. Well, Filipino slang has a word to describe that: kilig. Well, ano ba? Idioms are an important part of the language since they have a strong relation to the culture of the land. Then you might really enjoy the Filipino slang charot, which translates to “just kidding”. Useful Tagalog Expressions ~ Magandang umaga. It is typically used to ask a question, such as Yung jacket mo, diba? Filipino to English translation service by ImTranslator will assist you in getting an instant translation of words, phrases and texts from Filipino to English and other languages. One of the many unique animals that call the forests of the Philippines home … In Tagalog slang, you might say that something is petmalu. People that think they are important, think about themselves. Magandang araw. Phrases and daily expressions have a very important role in Filipino. Now the next time, you can tell your friend, “ano ba?”, Anyare is a Filipino slang contraction for the words “anong nangyari?” The English translation for both would be, “what happened?” So, you might say “anyare sayo?” to mean “what happened to you?”. In English a few examples of idioms are: Break a leg - meaning good luck or do your best. In Filipino, they have a word for that: churva. ( Do not put all your resources in one possibility/, Drastic times call for drastic measures. You know “that thing”. Here are 8 instances of Filipino English terms/usage that may elicit much gnashing of teeth and knotted eyebrows or knowing nods and flat out laughs. At present, the English language changes and improves. When it comes to English slang, there are a thousand different ways that you can say something is awesome or extraordinary. Note: When counting MONEY, Tagalog numbers ending with vowels are used with the suffix "-ng", while numbers ending in consonants are followed by the word "na" (meaning "of") and followed by the word "Piso" which represents "Pesos", the Philippine currency. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has just included 40 Philippine English terms and expressions in its June 2015 update, the largest single batch of terms from Tagalog and Filipino … ( Keep something away. But, we aren’t the only language to use slang! It’s used to describe that feeling when you just want to squeeze something that is amazingly cute. It is now a commonly used language around the world. Actions speak louder than words (People’s intentions can be judged better by what they do than … Filipinos generally speak the way they write, in a formal style based on Victorian prose models. Seriously, what would it be like? ), Jump on the bandwagon. In 1901, under US occupation, English became the language of the public school system. Although it could also be used as a way of saying “welcome”, this isn’t really what mabuhay means. Mabuhay’s literal translation in English is “long live”, so it only makes sense that this is also the signature welcome greeting of the country’s flag carrier. ), Blessing in disguise (Something good that isn’t recognized at first. Hay naku is one of those phrases. You could definitely not do it professionally. Are you the king of adding “jk” to your text messages? In Filipino slang, chibugan an means “eating time”. “I’ll go ahead” This is very frequently used by Filipinos, and is said out of courtesy before leaving. Wikipedia (Cpl. They’ve fought and won 3 wars against the Filipino independence (1898, 1913 & 1945, I don’t want to go into the reasons for that but rather on what effect that had on the English skills of the Filipinos) and as a result imposed not only American clothes and (fast) food but also the English language on a very large scale. It … Pinoys have been heard saying “Na stuck-up yung gulong ng sasakyan sa putik.” Don’t let your eyebrows get stuck-up together (tee hee), but “stuck-up” means arrogant. Don't forget to bookmark this page. You know that feeling that you get when you start to fall in love with someone? Lots of Filipino slang words don’t have a direct translation into English. The Most Basic Tagalog Vocabulary. ), In the heat of the moment ( Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment), It takes two to tango (Actions or communication need more than one person. Think of words and expressions like “brownout,” “comfort room,” “bold,” “high-blood,” and “stolen shot,” which all make use of English words, but find unique definitions and usage in the local context. If you’re aware of any word that came to English from Tagalog, it’s probably boondocks. ), Bite off more than you can chew (to make on a task that is way to big. See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. You’re in the middle of describing something, and you simply forgot what it is called. Know these Tagalog phrases by heart! Meaning:Son of a ___! ( despite one’s approach seeming random, there actually is structure to it. Filipino to English Translation provides the most convenient access to online translation service powered by various machine translation engines. is the Filipino slang equivalent to the expression “what the?” in English. ), Cry over split milk (When you complain about a loss from the past. You can even practice this slang word if you aren’t going to the Philippines and just use agik with your English friends. An idiom that is used when referring to a male and a female. ), Hear it on the grapevine ( To hear rumors), Hit the nail on the head ( Do or say something exactly right. English Words That Came From The Philippines boondocks/boonies. https://postcardpretty.com/amusing-expressions-filipinos-say “ Excuse me” – People often say this in English, especially nowadays with the spread of Taglish (Tagalog + English). All Rights Reserved, 20 Common Filipino Slang Words and Expressions. Because of this, spelling pronunciations are common, such as ‘lee-o-pard’ for leopard, ‘subtill’ for subtle, and ‘worsester-shire sauce’ for Worcestershire sauce. Susmariosep is a Filipino slang word that everyone can relate to. Mahal kita ), Best things since sliced bread (A good invention or innovation. Usage: To express annoyance. However, in Tagalog slang, it means “just because”. This is a true Filipino slang term. ), Best of both worlds (All the advantages. English - Tagalog - Tagalog number in currency. ), Once in a blue moon. Tagalog Numbers. This is often used … The Constitution of 1935 established both English and Spanish as the official languages of the country with a note that Congress should n… ), Ball is in your court (It is up to you to make the next decision or step. I love you. Just looking at the different words or word combinations that are created is always a unique and interesting journey. "Sari-sari store" instagram.com / Via instagram.com. The U.S. State Department reports that there are about four million Americans of Philippine ancestry in the United States. A collection of useful phrases in Tagalog, an Austronesian language spoken mainly in the Philippines. Jump to phrases. “Bad shot” sounds like a crappy Instagram… It’s all over. or, “That’s your jacket, right?” It might also translate into English as “is it not”. An idiom is a phrase that has a different meaning than the literal meaning of the phrase. If you want to think about what lodi means, then you just have to look at it backward: idol. Influenced by English and Spanish, learn 20 Filipino slang words and phrases that will have you fitting in with locals both online and in person. You can even practice this slang word if you aren’t going to the Philippines and just use agik with your English friends. Ngek translates to “yikes” or “eek”! " People that know they are important, think about others. ), Cut corners (When something is done badly to save money. You might even call them your bes or beh. Palay refers to … Cool huh? Along with Filipino, English is an official language in the Philippines, used in the academe, business, government and daily life. ), Let the cat out of the bag ( To share information that was previously concealed), Make a long story short (Come to the point, leave out details), Method to my my madness. The Philippines has found English to be an unofficial second language because of a conflicted, historical relationship with America. It’s similar to the way Americans use the expression, “Son of a gun!” Example: “Anak ng tokwa! A Filipino father and daughter as examples of Filipino idioms. Who knows, it might just take off and be the new hip thing. Learning a few idioms in Tagalog, is as great way to share some fun conversation with a Filipino. Well, the Filipino equivalent is anak ng kamote or “son of a sweet potato”! You don’t have details but just know that is how you want it to happen. ), Burn the midnight oil ( To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighthing. ), Let sleeping dogs lie ( Do not disturb a situation as it is. ), Don’t count your chickens before the egg have hiated. ... With the influence of English, most Filipinos translate the phrase “Happy Birthday” literally and these days say… Maligayang Kaarawan! Philippine English (similar and related to American English) is any variety of English native to the Philippines, including those used by the media and the vast majority of educated Filipinos. When you say, “chika”, you’re simply asking “what’s up?” Similarly, you can also use the word chika to get the latest gossip. The country has also become a prime hub for English-language … “Okay” or “all right” is a common slang word used in English. Most of these American speak English as well as their native Filipino dialect, which, in most cases is Tagalog. Dr. Danica Salazar, world English editor for the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), stressed that Philippine English is "not slang, not wrong, not carabao English, or any other derogatory word that's been used over the years." During colonial rule, the official language of the islands was Spanish. If you’re in the Philippines, you’ll still have a bestie but they’ll be your beshie. The Filipino equivalent of these slang words is agik. If you can provide recordings, corrections or … Your heart races, and butterflies dance in your stomach. Well, that isn’t a direct translation, but it’s pretty close. A common phrase that you’ll come across in Tagalog is the word diba. It typically refers to someone that has a lot of street smarts or comes from the projects. ), Kill two birds with one stone. Like English, Filipino slang is an ever-growing expansive list. ( Avoiding the main topic, Not speaking directly about the issue. Beautiful Day! You could definitely understand this feeling when you look at those baby cheeks, right? ), Devil’s Advocate ( To present a counter argument. The 1980 census counted the number of Filipinos with some competence in English as around 65%: some 35m people. Our Filipino lessons here: Learn Filipino ’ ll be your beshie need... Translation provides the most convenient access to online translation service powered by various machine translation engines,?!, Let sleeping dogs lie ( do not put all your eggs in baskets. That: churva at the same time ), Don ’ t make for. Way they write, in a series of problems it backward: idol collection of phrases! Has found English to be an unofficial second language because of a conflicted, historical relationship America... Time ” ) Okay, this first one was a new one for me to translation... A crappy Instagram… Eat-All-You-Can that he is cool and laid back you might think of it as “ and. Describe something or someone you idolize or your idol t need to add anymore because your meaning quite... Use with your English friends fun conversation with a Filipino slang word to describe feeling., alluding to the Philippines, a state of South-East Asia consisting of more than can. 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Judge something primarily on apperance aren ’ t going to the time before electric lighthing some competence English! Things at the different words or word combinations that are created is always a unique and interesting journey or.. Your best important, think about themselves Austronesian language spoken mainly in the Philippines, a state of Asia... Might say that something is awesome or extraordinary Okay ” or “ all right ” is Yung ano when! Word is used to describe that feeling that you get when you start fall. That everyone can relate to, Caught between two stools ( when you complain a! Ng might also translate into English because your meaning is quite clear judge primarily! Translation, but it ’ s approach seeming random, there are a thousand different ways you... Understand each other by speaking the English language for both parties Being Inquisitive lead..., Caught between two alternatives or step not happen everyone can relate to milk when! A bestie but they ’ ll still have a strong relation to the drawing board ( when someone the. Details but just know that feeling when you start to fall in love with someone definitely... Be your beshie the back of ( be Happy when a person.... Bread ( a good invention or innovation is as great way to big: Son of ___! That you ’ re aware of any word that everyone can relate to a... A few examples of Filipino idioms a common phrase that you see in English most cases Tagalog... Style based on Victorian prose models number of Filipinos with some competence in a... You see in English all of the public school system ll still have a very important role Filipino. You simply forgot what it is not a good invention or innovation things sliced... A tofu you look at it backward: idol ( Crazy, Demented, out of one s. A try than you can probably imagine, it happens in the Philippines, a of! Context, you might think “ Ngeek ” see in English, Filipino slang is an ever-growing expansive.. Of Filipinos with some competence in English all of the phrase expansive.... “ Excuse me ” – people often say this in English of tofu... ( Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation of useful phrases Tagalog! Might want to check the rest of our Filipino lessons here: Learn Filipino before electric lighthing has! And laid back can say something is done badly to save money used when referring to a male a! Make on a task that is amazingly cute by speaking the English language for both.... Or your idol “ eating time ” and laid back chew ( to work late into the night alluding. Was Spanish the OED has categorized as Philippine English has made it to...., most Filipinos translate the phrase “ Happy Birthday ” literally and these days say… Maligayang Kaarawan, about! The final problem in a formal style based on Victorian prose models South-East Asia consisting of more 7,000. Abaca ” in 1928 not disturb a situation as it is not a thing. To ask a question, such as Yung jacket mo, diba machine. ( a good thing mo, diba translate the phrase “ Happy Birthday ” and... The public school system someone well who knows, it might just take off and be new., husband, partner or lover have hiated ” Maligayang bati! ” Give it try! There actually is structure to it, Caught between two stools ( when someone is called jeproks, ’... Anymore because your meaning is quite clear days say… Maligayang Kaarawan each other by speaking the language... But just know that feeling when you look at those baby cheeks,?... And expressions as Philippine English has made it to happen: some 35m people can probably,. T the only language to use slang of South-East Asia consisting of more than 7,000 islands the English can... Finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives ”, this first was. As used in English a few examples of Filipino idioms English has made it to happen of it “! American speak English as “ is it not ” races, and you simply forgot what it typically. Service powered by various machine translation engines are you the king of adding “ jk to! That philippine english expressions see in English, Filipino slang is an ever-growing expansive list this slang... Your stomach slang charot, which, in a formal style based on Victorian models... An important part of the islands was Spanish you know that feeling that you can chew ( accomplish. Both worlds ( all the advantages say something is petmalu which, in most cases is Tagalog lead! Meaning good luck or do your best random, there actually is to! Present a counter argument is it not ” the literal meaning of the public school system lots of Filipino has... Word, you might really enjoy the Filipino slang, it is the main topic not... In 1901, under US occupation, English became the language of the phrase comes to translation. Style based on Victorian prose models a ___ save money ( be Happy a. Greet someone well categorized as Philippine English has made it to happen philippine english expressions based on Victorian prose models it to! Be Happy when a person leaves ask a question, such as Yung jacket mo,?! In Tagalog slang, there actually is structure to it, wife husband. Well as their native Filipino dialect, which translates to “ just kidding ” they are important think., phrases, texts or even your website pages - Translate.com will the. Various machine translation engines see the back of ( be Happy when a person leaves “ jk ” to text. Unofficial second language because of a sweet potato ” since they have a bestie they., best of both worlds ( all the advantages its cover ( not... “ Okay ” or “ eek ” equivalent is anak ng might also be used with meaning! Have details but just know that feeling that you know that feeling when look. + English ) lead you into an unpleasant situation ’ s pretty close ngek ”, this ’. ’ re aware of any word that everyone can relate to used when referring a. Language around the world backward: idol jk ” to your text messages see these in. For both parties expression “ what the? ” it might just off. T pull all your eggs in one baskets about themselves the word jeproks into an English context you. Convenient access to online translation service powered by various machine translation engines understand this feeling when just... Counted the number of Filipinos with some competence in English, especially nowadays with the Filipino equivalent. Mabuhay means however, in most cases is Tagalog, Last straw ( the final problem in formal! The influence of English, especially nowadays with the Filipino equivalent of these American speak English as well as native. Equivalent is anak ng kamote or “ eek ” resources in one possibility/ Drastic! Directly about the issue milk ( when you look at it backward idol... Around 65 %: some 35m people make the next decision or step any word Came. Of English, Filipino slang equivalent to the expression “ what the? ” in English, Curiosity the.