One of the first things we do when learning a new language is build our vocabulary. Doing so helps us develop our comprehension of the language we’re learning. Once in a while, though, we encounter a word that has no equivalent term in our own language whatsoever. This is as true for Filipino as it is for any language. I wouldn’t be surprised if you, once or twice, have come across an unfamiliar Tagalog word and used Google Translate to learn its meaning—only for Google to return the same exact word.
Untranslatable Filipino words likely result from the abundance of dialects spoken in the Philippines—not to mention that the Philippines has been a melting pot of culture for so long. The Philippines may have Filipino as its national language, and 95% of Filipinos may be able to speak and understand English, but did you know that there are over a hundred different dialects spoken throughout the archipelago? Some say there are 111 of them, while others say there are up to 187! That said, it’s only natural for you to run into Filipino words with no English equivalent from time to time.
But don’t you worry. In this entry, we’ll introduce you to over a dozen untranslatable Filipino words. After learning these words and how to use them, you’ll be able to express yourself more succinctly and with more nuance—you might even be able to explain what they mean to non-Filipino speakers!
Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?
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Table of Contents
- Alimpungat
- Ba
- Bahala
- Basta
- Diskarte
- Gigil
- Kilig
- Lihi
- Naman
- Ngalay & Ngawit
- Pang-alis & Pambahay
- Pala
- Pikon
- Sumbat
- Umay
- Learn More Untranslatable Filipino Words with FilipinoPod101!
1. Alimpungat
Explanation:
Have you ever been suddenly awoken from a deep sleep by a loud noise or startled awake by someone bursting into the room? That experience best illustrates the word alimpungat. It could also refer to the feeling someone has when they’re in an alternative state of sleep—half-awake and half-asleep—which, as we all know, can be very unpleasant.
Examples:
Naalimpungatan ang lalaki dahil sa mga narinig na kaluskos sa pinto ng kanyang kwarto.
“The man was startled by the crackling sounds on his bedroom door.”
Huwag kang maingay. Baka maalimpungatan si lola.
“Don’t be too loud. You might startle grandma awake.”
Usage:
The word alimpungat is almost never used in its root form as a noun, but almost always as a verb, oftentimes in the past or future tense. The past tense is naalimpungatan while the future tense is maalimpungatan.
Naalimpungatan si Paul dahil sa ginawa ni Elizabeth. (“Paul was startled awake by what Elizabeth was doing.”)
- ➜ Speaking of tenses, be sure to check out our blog entry on Filipino verb conjugation.
2. Ba
Explanation:
Ba is a particle. It has no meaning on its own and is used as a marker for yes-no questions.
Examples:
Kumain ka na ba?
“Have you eaten already?”
May pagkain pa ba?
“Is there still any food left?”
Usage:
As a question marker, ba is often found at the end of a sentence, although it’s not unusual for it to be located in the middle of a sentence.
Kumain ka ba kagabi?
“Did you eat last night?”
Tinatawag mo ba ako?
“Were you calling me?”
3. Bahala
Explanation:
Bahala is a deep Tagalog word with a very rich meaning. It’s said that it came from the Sanskrit word bharra meaning “burden.” Others say it’s derived from another Sanskrit word, bharana, which refers to being responsible for something or someone.
Example:
Ikaw na ang bahala sa mga bata.
“I’ll leave the responsibility of taking care of the children to you.”
Usage:
Bahala is often a part of the phrase bahala na, which is also the term for the Filipino socio-cultural value often associated with faith. It’s a double-edged sword, however, having both positive and negative uses. While it’s used as an expression of faith, it’s also commonly used to express indifference or fatalism.
Wala na tayong makain. Bahala na ang Diyos sa atin.
“We no longer have anything to eat. May the Lord take care of us.”
Atrasado na naman ako sa trabaho. Bahala na.
“I’m late for work again. Come what may.”
4. Basta
Explanation:
Basta changes its meaning depending on how it’s used in a sentence and which words it’s used with. Some sources say it originated from the Spanish expression translating as “enough already.” And sure, it’s often used as an expression to tell someone to stop bothering you already.
Example:
Ah basta! Ayoko na!
“Enough already! I quit!”
Usage:
As mentioned, basta has more than one meaning. Aside from being an expression that means “Enough,” basta can also mean “as long as…”
Basta para sa’yo, gagawin ko kahit ano.
“As long as it’s for you, I will do anything.”
It could also mean “just because…” or “for no reason…”
A:
Ba’t ka umalis?
“Why did you leave?”
B:
Basta.
“Just because…I wanted to.”
5. Diskarte
Explanation:
While diskarte has no direct equivalent in English, it’s often associated with being street smart. Thus, it’s loosely translated as “strategy,” “resourcefulness,” or one’s determination to survive and thrive. The word became famous in the streets of Manila where Filipinos have to be street smart in order to make money and eat. It’s of Spanish origin, too, derived from the word descartar, which means “to discard.” In gambling, one has to “discard” a card or two at times to improve one’s hand.
Example:
Madiskarte ka talagang bata ka.
“You really are a clever young man.”
Usage:
There are several instances in which the word diskarte could be used. Most of the time, it’s used to describe one’s resourcefulness, like what was shown in the first example. Filipinos also use it to describe a man who knows how to use his words to charm a woman. Sometimes, it’s used to describe the act of wooing a girl.
Diskartehan mo na si Anna.
“Make your move on Anna now.”
Perhaps the most important use of the word diskarte is how it relates to the importance of one’s approach to life:
Kailangan may diskarte ka para mabuhay.
“You need to be sharp and spirited to survive.”
Diskartehan mo na si Anna. / “Make your move on Anna now.”
- ➜ It’s important to be resourceful when learning a new language. We’ve got you covered with that in our entry on the Top 15 Tips to Remember Words When Learning Filipino.
6. Gigil
Explanation:
You know the feeling you get when you want to squeeze that cute cat or panda you see on a funny YouTube video? That feeling is referred to as gigil in Filipino. It’s an overwhelming feeling of wanting to squish something because of its utter cuteness.
Example:
Gusto kitang kurutin sa pisngi sa sobrang gigil!
“I want to pinch your face so hard!”
Usage:
Gigil could also refer to the overwhelming feeling of wanting to hurt another person. It’s when you grit your teeth and tremble due to intense anger.
Nanggigil si Erma sa galit kay Isabel.
“Erma was trembling with anger toward Isabel.”
7. Kilig
Explanation:
The word kilig is often associated with love and infatuation. It’s the feeling you get when you’re thrilled to see someone you like. As a noun, kilig is described as elation or exhilaration caused by a romantic experience. It can also be caused by too much excitement, such as what a young child feels after knowing they’re going to Legoland or Disneyland. As an adjective, it refers to what a person feels.
Example:
Kinilig si Dolores nang makita niya si Goyo.
“Dolores was thrilled to see Goyo.”
Usage:
Kilig is often used as part of a phrase, such as in kilig to the bones, which means that the thrill someone feels is so strong it becomes uncontrollable. It can also be used as part of compounds, such as in the expressions kilig moment (which describes a moment in which someone has felt a thrilling experience) and kilig factor (which refers to anything that generates a feeling of exhilaration and excitement).
Trivia:
In March 2016, the Oxford Dictionary added kilig as one of its new words.
8. Lihi
Explanation:
Filipina women are unique in that they seem to develop an unusual craving for a particular type of food when pregnant. This craving is called paglilihi. There’s no direct translation for it, but it’s synonymous with “craving.”
Example:
Naglilihi si Anna. Kain ng kain ng manggang hilaw.
“Anna’s craving. She’s been eating raw mango non-stop.”
Usage:
The word lihi is often used to describe a pregnant woman’s experience of craving, although it’s also used as a verb, particularly to describe how a person has been influenced by their mother’s craving while they were still in the womb. It’s believed that a person’s character is influenced by whatever their mom craved during her pregnancy. For instance, if you’re always bitter and cranky, it’s probably because your mom ate a lot of bitter gourds when she was pregnant with you.
Pinaglihi ka siguro sa manok kasi ang daldal mo!
“Your mom probably craved chicken all the time when she was pregnant with you because you’re very talkative!”
- ➜ Want to know how to announce your pregnancy in the Filipino language? We have a lesson about that right here.
9. Naman
Explanation:
Naman is a particle used to add emphasis or to make contrasts. It’s also a response marker that could mean several different words, including “again,” “rather,” “too,” and “also.”
Examples:
Ikaw na naman?
“You again?”
Ako na naman?
“Why me again?”
Ikaw naman.
“You, too.” / “Your turn.”
Usage:
- Naman is often added after “W” questions.
Ano na naman ang nangyari?
“What happened this time?”
Bakit naman?
“But why?”
Saan na naman ba napunta yun?
“Where did it go again?”
Kailan na naman mauulit ito?
“When is this happening again?”
Paano naman nangyari yun?
“But how did it happen?”
- Naman is also used to intensify adjectives.
Ang hirap naman.
“It’s so difficult.”
Ang kaunti naman.
“It’s too little.”
Ang damot mo naman.
“You’re so stingy.”
- Finally, naman is used to soften requests.
Magsaing ka naman.
“Will you cook some rice, please?”
Maglinis ka naman.
“Perhaps you should do some cleaning here?”
Ngumiti ka naman.
“Why don’t you smile a bit?”
Ako na naman ang maghuhugas? Pero may kausap pa ako sa telepono. / “I’m doing the dishes again? But I’m still on the phone.”
10. Ngalay & Ngawit
Explanation:
Ngalay and ngawit are two different Filipino words, but they mean almost the same thing. What’s more, neither one has an equivalent word in English. Ngalay is used to describe having tired muscles, particularly when the arms or legs have been in the same position for an extended period. Ngawit, on the other hand, is that uncomfortable feeling you get from standing too long.
Examples:
Nangangalay na ang mga braso ko sa pagbuhat ng mga libro na ito.
“My arms are already sore from carrying these books.”
Kanina pa ako nakapila. Ngawit na ngawit na ang mga paa ko.
“I’ve been queuing for who knows how long. My legs are so tired.”
Usage:
Both words often function as adjectives, and are used by the speaker to describe the condition of their arms and legs. Sometimes, they’re used to describe the overall condition of the speaker.
Nangagalay/nangangawit na ako.
“I’m so tired already.”
11. Pang-alis & Pambahay
Explanation:
Filipinos are very particular about what set of clothes they wear. Clothes that are worn for special occasions or for going to the mall are called pang-alis, with alis being the Tagalog word for “leave.” If you’re leaving the house for something important, you need to be wearing pang-alis clothes.
If you’re staying at home, you only need to wear comfortable clothing you won’t be embarrassed being seen in. This is referred to as pambahay, a contraction of pang-bahay, or “for the home.”
That’s right. While most untranslatable Tagalog words do not have literal meanings, some of them (like these two) do! Pang-alis, by the way, literally means “for leaving” in Filipino.
Examples:
Magsuot ka ng pang-alis, pupunta tayo sa palengke.
“Wear appropriate clothes. We’re going to the market.”
Magsuot ka lang ng pambahay, malapit lang naman ang pupuntahan natin.
“Don’t bother changing from comfortable clothes since we’re not going too far.”
Usage:
Both pang-alis and pambahay are nouns and are often used as they are. Sometimes, the adjective affix naka- is attached to either word to describe a person’s condition of wearing something.
Ba’t nakapambahay ka lang? Di’ba aalis tayo?
“Why are you still in your pajamas? Aren’t we leaving?”
Magpalit ka ng pang-alis. May mga bisita tayo. / “Change your clothes. We have people coming over.”
- ➜ Speaking of, you might want to check out our list of clothing-related action words!
12. Pala
Explanation:
Not to be confused with the Filipino word for “shovel,” pala (emphasis on the second syllable) is a particle that expresses realization. Its closest equivalent in English is the word “apparently.”
Examples:
Akala ko dumating na sila. Nasa piyesta pa pala.
“I thought they had arrived already. Apparently, they’re still at the party.”
Hindi ka pa pala kumakain.
“So, you haven’t eaten yet.”
Usage:
The word pala often comes after hindi, or “not,” and expresses a contrast with or reversal of one’s expectation, like in the previous example. A person may also use this word after stating a fact they’ve just learned or when they’re surprised to see someone.
Madilim na pala.
“I didn’t realize it’s already dark.”
Ay! Ikaw pala!
“Oh! It’s you!”
13. Pikon
Explanation:
Pikon is a Tagalog adjective that describes a person who is easily angered by pranks or jests. It’s also the word used to describe someone who can’t accept defeat in a competitive game, someone with an unsportsmanlike attitude if you will. The word probably originated from the Spanish word picón, meaning “touchy.”
Examples:
Ba’t pikon ka? Nagbibiro lang ako.
“Why so mad? I was just teasing.”
Usage:
When the adjective affix nakaka- is added to the word pikon, it means that the object described is causing irritation.
Nakakapikon ka talaga.
“You are so annoying!”
When used to describe someone who’s prone to tantrums or is easily provoked, the suffix -in is added to the root word.
Pikunin si Ramon simula pa nung una.
“Ramon is easily provoked ever since.”
14. Sumbat
Explanation:
Dictionaries translate sumbat to words like “upbraid,” “rebuke,” and “reproach,” but this unique Filipino word has more to it than just what its English translations convey.
Example:
Sumbat ni Edna kay Fred, “Naalala mo nung pinahiram kita ng pera? Nagpasalamat ka ba?”
“Edna scolds Fred, ‘Do you remember when I lent you money? Did you ever thank me?’ ”
Usage:
When you do someone a favor, you don’t really have to brag about it. When you do so out of anger because you feel the other person is not grateful or appreciative of your efforts, that’s sumbat.
15. Umay
Explanation:
Umay is a word that describes the feeling you get when you’ve eaten so much you seem to want to throw up.
Example:
Nakakaumay na talaga mag-milk tea.
“I’ve had enough of milk tea.”
Usage:
While umay is commonly used for describing an experience with food, it’s also used all the time to describe one’s developed distaste for anything, including music, literature, relationships, etc.
Umay na umay na ako sa presensya mo!
“I’m fed up with your presence!”
Nakakaumay naman iyang pinapakinggan mo.
“I’m sick of that thing you’re listening to.”
Huwag ka sanang maumay sa akin.
“I hope you don’t get tired of me.”
Nakakaumay na ang mga palabas sa TV. / “These TV shows are boring—they’re all just the same.”
- ➜ Learning Filipino can sometimes make you experience “umay.” Here are 3 Tips to Improve Your Filipino-Learning Motivation.
16. Learn More Untranslatable Filipino Words with FilipinoPod101!
In this article, we’ve presented to you some of the most common untranslatable Filipino words. Did you know that there are a couple dozen more? But don’t worry about them for now. What’s important is that you now have 15 more words to add to your vocabulary. And we’re not just talking about regular words here. We’re talking about unique words in Filipino that will strengthen your understanding of the culture and help you sound more like a native speaker.
Want to go beyond these Filipino words with no translation in English? Why not try FilipinoPod101?
Here at FilipinoPod101, you’ll learn so much more than just basic Filipino grammar and pronunciation. As you go through each lesson, you’ll also get to know more about the Filipino culture and the things that make the Filipino people and language unique. By signing up, you’ll get all that plus free lesson materials and resources to help supplement your learning of the Filipino language.
And have we told you that you can avail yourself of our MyTeacher service? MyTeacher is a Premium PLUS feature that gives learners like you the opportunity to receive one-on-one interaction and study time with a professional Filipino teacher. With this feature, you can expect to master the Filipino language in a style and pace that suits your preferences.
We look forward to having you join our community! Oh, and don’t forget to tell us what you think of this lesson in the comments section below!
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