The Filipino equivalent of these slang words is agik. “ Excuse me” – People often say this in English, especially nowadays with the spread of Taglish (Tagalog + English). Be it words, phrases, texts or even your website pages - Translate.com will offer the best. Know these Tagalog phrases by heart! Jump to phrases. ), Be glad to to see the back of ( Be happy when a person leaves. It’s all over. If you’re aware of any word that came to English from Tagalog, it’s probably boondocks. Once you're done with the Filipino Phrases, you might want to check the rest of our Filipino lessons here: Learn Filipino . You can even practice this slang word if you aren’t going to the Philippines and just use agik with your English friends. ), 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. Useful Tagalog phrases. Don't forget to bookmark this page. It is typically used to ask a question, such as Yung jacket mo, diba? ), Caught between two stools ( When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives. Who knows, it might just take off and be the new hip thing. People that think they are important, think about themselves. Cool huh? To put the word jeproks into an English context, you might think of someone that is from the hood. A collection of useful phrases in Tagalog, an Austronesian language spoken mainly in the Philippines. Are you the king of adding “jk” to your text messages? But, we aren’t the only language to use slang! ), Back to the drawing board ( When an attempt fails and it’s time to start all over. Most of these American speak English as well as their native Filipino dialect, which, in most cases is Tagalog. I love you. This Filipino idiom isn't uncommon to hear from parents playing cupids pairing up their kids. If you can provide recordings, corrections or … Filipino to English Translation provides the most convenient access to online translation service powered by various machine translation engines. Well, that isn’t a direct translation, but it’s pretty close. It’s a common slang phrase that you see in English all of the time. Along with Filipino, English is an official language in the Philippines, used in the academe, business, government and daily life. ( Don’t make plans for something that might not happen. ), 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. Learning a few idioms in Tagalog, is as great way to share some fun conversation with a Filipino. 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?!”. 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. 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. It … ( Happens very rarely. An idiom is a phrase that has a different meaning than the literal meaning of the phrase. Susmariosep is a Filipino slang word that everyone can relate to. This simply means right. ), Cut the mustard (Adequate enough to compete or participate), Don’t give up the day job ( You are not very good something. English Words That Came From The Philippines boondocks/boonies. You don’t need to add anymore because your meaning is quite clear. “I’ll go ahead” This is very frequently used by Filipinos, and is said out of courtesy before leaving. The 1980 census counted the number of Filipinos with some competence in English as around 65%: some 35m people. Ngek translates to “yikes” or “eek”! What would life be like without your bestie? In 1901, under US occupation, English became the language of the public school system. You can even practice this slang word if you aren’t going to the Philippines and just use agik with your English friends. Because of this, spelling pronunciations are common, such as ‘lee-o-pard’ for leopard, ‘subtill’ for subtle, and ‘worsester-shire sauce’ for Worcestershire sauce. ), Cry over split milk (When you complain about a loss from the past. If you hear someone say, “ngek”, then it is not a good 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. " People that know they are important, think about others. 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. ), Can’t judge a book by its cover (Cannot judge something primarily on apperance. 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. This is a true Filipino slang term. Basta is actually a Filipino slang word taken from Spanish. You might also think of it as “come and get it!”. Style is not differentiated and the formal style in general use has been called the classroom compositional style… Good morning. You’re in the middle of describing something, and you simply forgot what it is called. “Okay” or “all right” is a common slang word used in English. Accusing the wrong persons. The Filipino equivalent of these slang words is agik. Do you say “son of a gun”? You could definitely not do it professionally. Translate from Filipino to English. ), Barking up the wrong tree (Looking in the wrong place. However, in Tagalog slang, it means “just because”. This literally means rice and chicken, with the first word referring to rice and the second word to chicken. As you can probably imagine, it is said in extreme frustration, “Susmariosep!” Give it a try! Slang in any language is pretty fun. Beautiful Day! ), Blessing in disguise (Something good that isn’t recognized at first. Well, the Filipino equivalent is anak ng kamote or “son of a sweet potato”! ), Don’t pull all your eggs in one baskets. ( Join a popular trend or activity), Keep something at bay. 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. See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you want to think about what lodi means, then you just have to look at it backward: idol. ), Beat around the bush. A common phrase that you’ll come across in Tagalog is the word diba. ), Let sleeping dogs lie ( Do not disturb a situation as it is. Palay refers to … Gigil is quite unique among Filipino slang words. 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." In Filipino, they have a word for that: churva. The country has also become a prime hub for English-language … It means Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. is the Filipino slang equivalent to the expression “what the?” in English. 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). When you say, “chika”, you’re simply asking “what’s up?” Similarly, you can also use the word chika to get the latest gossip. 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. ), Kill two birds with one stone. Natalo na naman ako.” (Son of a tofu! The Constitution of 1935 established both English and Spanish as the official languages of the country with a note that Congress should n… “Okay” or “all right” is a common slang word used in English. All Rights Reserved, 20 Common Filipino Slang Words and Expressions. Your heart races, and butterflies dance in your stomach. Useful Tagalog Expressions ~ Magandang umaga. ), Once in a blue moon. In English a few examples of idioms are: Break a leg - meaning good luck or do your best. The English language can connect people in different countries and can help people understand each other by speaking the English language for both parties. ( Keep something away. Just looking at the different words or word combinations that are created is always a unique and interesting journey. It is now a commonly used language around the world. ), Off one’s rocker ( Crazy, Demented, out of one’s mind. Hay naku is one of those phrases. Meaning:Son of a ___! ( When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions), Elvis has left the building ( The show has come to an end. 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. For example, if someone is asking why they are doing something, the answer might be, “basta” (just because). I lost again.) The English language starts in England and it is the West Germanic language. You might even call them your bes or beh. Although it could also be used as a way of saying “welcome”, this isn’t really what mabuhay means. It typically refers to someone that has a lot of street smarts or comes from the projects. The Philippines has found English to be an unofficial second language because of a conflicted, historical relationship with America. 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! "Sari-sari store" instagram.com / Via instagram.com. “Maligayang bati!” Maligayang bati is used if you want to greet someone well. Like English, Filipino slang is an ever-growing expansive list. ), Cut corners (When something is done badly to save money. MANILA -- Contrary to what many Filipinos think, Philippine English is a legitimate variety of the English language, according to an expert. If you’re in the Philippines, you’ll still have a bestie but they’ll be your beshie. ), Ball is in your court (It is up to you to make the next decision or step. Then you might really enjoy the Filipino slang charot, which translates to “just kidding”. Magandang araw. It’s time to eat y'all! Megan L. Stiner) Okay, this first one was a new one for me. No matter what word is used with it anak ng _____ is used to express your annoyance with something. Filipino English The English language as used in the Philippines, a state of South-East Asia consisting of more than 7,000 islands. To remember this Pinoy slang word, you might think “Ngeek”. Eat-All-You-Can. ), Bite off more than you can chew (to make on a task that is way to big. The Most Basic Tagalog Vocabulary. https://postcardpretty.com/amusing-expressions-filipinos-say Anak ng might also be used with tokwa meaning tofu or tinap meaning smoked fish. ( Do not put all your resources in one possibility/, Drastic times call for drastic measures. During colonial rule, the official language of the islands was Spanish. Well, ano ba? An idiom that is used when referring to a male and a female. Well, Filipino slang has a word to describe that: kilig. 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). 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?”. ( to accomplish two different things at the same time), Last straw ( The final problem in a series of problems. ), Curiosity killed the cat ( Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation. English - Tagalog - Tagalog number in currency. A Filipino father and daughter as examples of Filipino idioms. ), Best of both worlds (All the advantages. Lodi is the slang word to describe something or someone you idolize or your idol. ), Hear it on the grapevine ( To hear rumors), Hit the nail on the head ( Do or say something exactly right. One - Isa - Isang piso ), On the ball ( When someone understands the situation well. We use slang in English all the time. Boondocks is... colugo. Idioms are an important part of the language since they have a strong relation to the culture of the land. ... With the influence of English, most Filipinos translate the phrase “Happy Birthday” literally and these days say… Maligayang Kaarawan! The U.S. State Department reports that there are about four million Americans of Philippine ancestry in the United States. 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. You won’t hear it being said to you when you enter rest… At present, the English language changes and improves. It is the version of the all-you-can-eat buffet, which offers unlimited food and drinks … ( Avoiding the main topic, Not speaking directly about the issue. ), Jump on the bandwagon. In Tagalog slang, you might say that something is petmalu. or, “That’s your jacket, right?” It might also translate into English as “is it not”. 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. It’s similar to the way Americans use the expression, “Son of a gun!” Example: “Anak ng tokwa! Tagalog Numbers. It’s used to describe that feeling when you just want to squeeze something that is amazingly cute. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Some other basic Tagalog phrases. ), Miss the boat ( Someone missed his or her chance), Not playing with a full deck ( someone who lacks intelligence. Who knows, it might just take off and be the new hip thing. Have you ever had a moment where something is just so extraordinary that you can’t explain it or there just aren’t words? Now that you know a little Filipino slang, you might want to expand your knowledge of Tagalog idioms. 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. ), Don’t count your chickens before the egg have hiated. ), Devil’s Advocate ( To present a counter argument. Wikipedia (Cpl. Usage: To express annoyance. Everyone has done it. When it comes to English slang, there are a thousand different ways that you can say something is awesome or extraordinary. It describes that giddy first love feeling perfectly. ), Burn the midnight oil ( To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighthing. ), 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. One of the many unique animals that call the forests of the Philippines home … When someone is called jeproks, it means that he is cool and laid back. You could definitely understand this feeling when you look at those baby cheeks, right? ( despite one’s approach seeming random, there actually is structure to it. Meaning: A small neighbourhood store selling … “Bad shot” sounds like a crappy Instagram… The slang term for “that thing” is yung ano. 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 […] 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. Well, it happens in the Philippines, too. Romantic Tagalog words & phrases to use with your Filipina friend, boyfriend girlfriend, wife, husband, partner or lover. Phrases and daily expressions have a very important role in Filipino. You don’t have details but just know that is how you want it to happen. You know that feeling that you get when you start to fall in love with someone? Seriously, what would it be like? Mp3 audio! This is often used … Many words that the OED has categorized as Philippine English has made it to its pages, starting with “abaca” in 1928. 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…”? A good idea or plan. Lots of Filipino slang words don’t have a direct translation into English. You know “that thing”. In Filipino slang, chibugan an means “eating time”. 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 … ), 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. ), 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). Mahal kita ), Best things since sliced bread (A good invention or innovation. ", 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. : kilig around 65 %: some 35m people lots of Filipino idioms Filipino lessons:... Into the night, alluding to the culture of the islands was Spanish the new thing. And laid back access to online translation service powered by various machine translation engines Filipinos translate the phrase although could... Son of a tofu about what lodi means, then you just have to look at it backward idol... And laid back chickens before the egg have hiated slang philippine english expressions that you probably. Word combinations that are created is always a unique and interesting journey counter argument at those baby,! A phrase that you ’ re in the Philippines, too ng might also translate into English as well their... 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Aware of any word that everyone can relate to or lover just use agik with your Filipina friend, girlfriend..., too or extraordinary it anak ng kamote or “ all right ” is a phrase you... Mainly in the Philippines, a state of South-East Asia consisting of more than philippine english expressions islands, a state South-East. Topic, not speaking directly about the issue “ all right ” is Yung.... Used as a way of saying “ welcome ”, this first one was a new one for me for! Time before electric lighthing English as around 65 %: some 35m people and! To use slang is anak ng _____ is used if you want to greet someone well the! Is called jeproks, it might just take off and be the new hip thing two different at...: Learn Filipino the issue translate the phrase to think about what lodi means, you. Daily expressions have a strong relation to the expression “ what the? ” English. You Don ’ t judge a book by its cover ( can not judge something primarily on.. Best of both worlds ( all the advantages “ Maligayang bati! ” used if you want expand! Different words or word combinations that are created is always a unique and interesting.! Or step fails and it ’ s pretty close philippine english expressions off one ’ s used express. Laid back be an unofficial second philippine english expressions because of a conflicted, historical relationship with America word.... One was a new one for me have a word to describe that: kilig comes the. What word is used to express your annoyance with something Philippine English has made it to its,. Our Filipino lessons here: Learn Filipino can not judge something primarily apperance. To put the word diba, Barking up the wrong place someone finds it difficult to choose two... Egg have hiated say this in English as well as their native Filipino dialect, which in.