Aba! [ah bah´] An expression of surprise or indignation. It is usually uttered by an older, wiser person to someone younger, less experienced. First of many words your grandmother could say when you, at 35, tell her you are old enough to live on your own.

Abakada. [ah bah kah dah] The original Filipino alphabet is based on Tagalog. Certain letters did not exist in it:  C, F, Q, X and Z. But our linguists have changed their minds and the confusion is still there. The best rule of thumb: anything goes—for so long as you are understood!

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata. [ah bung un´ ung  su´su nod  na  ka ba nah´tah] Stand by for the next chapter. Soap operas, real or virtual,
usually end each episode with these words.

Abe. [ah´beh] This means a friend, or more of a bosom buddy.  Originally from Capangpangan, the dialect of Pampanga,  a Central Luzon province. We include it here because it has made its way into mainstream Filipino. Used like pare which is short for compare.

Aberiya [ah ber´yah] From the Spanish averia to mean a stuck engine or a delayed trip because of it. A lack of maintenance is usually the reason, causing kilometric traffic jams and kidney-hurting delays.

Abilidad [ah bee´lee dud´] From Spanish meaning ability or capability. Used to describe not just the talent, but the drive to accomplish (something good or bad).

Abot kaya. [ah´bot  ka yah] Within one’s means. To our grandparents, people acquired assets only when they had cash on hand. The only exception was bank loans for their homes. Now you can buy anything on credit, a practice that has created problems for many of us who think that paying back is as easy as borrowing.

Absent ako noon. [ab sent ah koh noo un] A suave way of saying one does not know to refer to the time at school when the info was taught.

Abubot. [ah boo´bot] Small stuff that’s basically useless, kept in the catch-all drawer or container that can’t seem to be thrown out.

Acacia. [ah kas´yah] Tropical hardwood trees with long graceful branches. They have fine round leaves clustered together, and brilliant orange flowers that
blossom best right after a thunderstorm. Great for shade and tree-climbing.

Achara or Atsara. [ah cha´ rah] A sweet and sour pickled concoction of sliced vegetables served as an appetizer. Decades ago, the veggies were intricately cut into snowflakes and flowers. Young Filipinas were taught to make achara as part of their preparation for marriage.

Achay or Atsay [at´chigh] A derivation from the Spanish muchacha which means girl. An unflattering term for a maid or household helper. Achoy from muchacho is for males.

Adidas. [ah dee´das] Not the shoes. More often the chicken claws that are cooked to perfection by the Chinese in dimsum houses, or charbroiled by street vendors.

Adobo. [ah doh´boh] Many Latin American countries have the same meat dish in their menus. It is perfect for the tropics because it keeps for some time without refrigeration. The small chunks of pork and fowl sautéed—preserved in vinegar, garlic, black pepper and oil—actually taste better a day after cooking.

Agaw. [ah´gaw] Literally to grab. Often used when Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos plundered the country during their 20-year rule. Ironically, the couple has spawned copy cats that have overtaken them in their greed.

Agaw-buhay. [ah´gaw boo´high] It’s when one is desperately trying to grab on to life’s last breath.

Ahas. [ah´has] A snake, literally or figuratively.

Ahem. [ah hem´] An artificial or exaggerated way of clearing one’s throat usually to call attention or to tease. In vogue no longer, people probably think that one is really clearing one’s throat!

Akala ko. [ah´kah lah  ko] I thought… The perfect motorist’s excuse when stopped for a possible violation…the sign was for the other guy!

Akit/akitin. [ah´kit] To attract or fascinate. Filipinos are charmers. We're friendly and warm, smiling
our way through anything. So non-Pinoys, beware! It could
prove fatal.

Ako pa! [ah koh  pa´] Hey, it’s me you’re dealing with. A retort only a self-assured person utters.

Aksiong Aksaya. [aks´yong ak´sa yah] A cartoon character created by National Artist Larry Alcala to caricature an energy-wasting madman that we should not
imitate. Excuse me? The lawmakers who drive their government-issued Ford Explorers are clones of this guy.

Akyat bahay. [ahk yat´bah high] Robbers who enter homes, whether they climb in (akyat) and break locks; or whether they have an inside accomplice.

Akyat barko. [ahk yat´ bar koh´] Prostitutes who service sailors when boats are at the dock.Ala-eh. [ah la eh´] An interjection or expression of the Tagalog people of Batangas province. One can actually identify the native Batangueño by this expression.

[Ma] alala. [ah la´la] To remember. Did you know that seniors easily recall things of the past (called long term memory) as opposed to things that happened yesterday? Ask your grandfather about how he met your grandmother and he’ll give a detailed account. Ask him who visited the day before and he won’t remember.

Alagad ng batas. [ah la gad´ nang bah tas´] Officers of the law or more like keepers of the law.  Sadly we sometimes see those who swear to uphold the law are those who first break it.

Alahas. [ah la’ has] A Spanish word to mean jewelry or jewels. Pinoys must have invented body piercing because local archeological diggings prove that both men and women wore earrings way before the Spaniards came.

Alam ko yan. [ah lam´ ko  yan’] Favorite statement of a know-it-all: I know that!  Then expect a lecture to boot.

Alam mo ‘yan. [ah lam´  mo yan’] Literally, you know that.  Usually used to motivate someone who is timid and unsure.

Alaska. [ah las’ ka] To joke or to tease. So alaskado means the butt of jokes. A baby-boomers’ term. No one below 40 would know this.

Alboroto. [ahl boh roh’ toh] Usually refers to kids’ tantrums. Studies show that breast-fed babies have less of these. They’re smarter too!

Alkansiya. [ahl kans yah´] The good, old-fashioned piggy bank such as a hollowed out coconut, the leg of a bamboo bed, or just a cotton purse hidden in the house rafters. An antidote to a credit crunch.

Ale. [ah leh´] The old-fashioned way of addressing a female stranger. Today,  we say miss or m’am.

Alembong. [ah lem´bong] Antiquated word to mean flirt.

Alin? [ah lin´] Means which one. Alin dyan? is more specific: which one there?

Alipin. [ah lee’ pin] A slave, a serf. Our Filipino forebears had such a caste, but when Spain claimed the Philippines as a colony, we all became alipin.

Alis dyan! [ah lis djan´] Literally, go away!  in a vulgar kind of way. Used by aspiring politicians calling on the incumbents to leave their seats of power.

Alitan [ah lee´ton] A misunderstanding, discord. It can be minor like a tiff, or major like a clash.

Aliw. [ah liw´] A happy diversion, entertainment. Also aliwan. Originally, it meant consolation, comfort from life’s trials and sorrows. In today’s lingo, aliw!  means this is nice, funny. Also used to signify glee or the state of being happy.

Almusal. [ahl moo sal´] Corrupted from the Spanish almorzar, the midday meal. To us, almusal means breakfast.  Ours is never just black coffee and toast; but a grand serving of fried rice, sweet breads with lots of butter and sugar and sausages…no wonder others are obese and we’re not!

Alok. [ah luk´] To offer, to suggest if used as a verb; a suggestion if used as a noun.

Ama. [ah mah´] An Indo-Malayan word for father. Similar to the Moslem word
for priest (aman).

Ama Namin. [ah mah´nah´min] Our Father.  God worshiped by all monotheistic religions. A favorite prayer of Filipinos.

Amag. [ah’ mag] Mold. For quick cash, the country can export these organisms and dust (alikabok), to research laboratories around the world.

Ambos. [ahm’ bos] Really means bonus numbers  in a lottery but Pinoys refer to ambos as any bonus or windfall--like a little girl born after six boys.

Ambula. [ahm bu´la] Sounds as dismal as it is: plain rice cooked in meat broth, seasoned with salt. More and more Pinoys have only this at meal times. Two in five kids go to bed hungry everyday.

Amo. [ah´ moh] One’s master. Add the prefix ma and maamo means likeable, nice.

Amor propio. [uh mor´pro pee yoh´] Means self respect. Something most Filipino politicians have lost. Early on, politicians were rich and influential prior to their stints in office. All they ever wanted was to help their fellow Filipinos. Some
actually lost their fortunes doing that. Now many people enter politics precisely to become rich and powerful.
Amoy. [uh moy´] It means smell as a verb or a noun. It can also mean the southern Chinese province where many Filipino Chinese find their roots. Our great-great grandfather, Ong Lay Co, migrated from there in the 1800s.

Amoy chico.[uh moy´ chee´koh] A wino; typsy from booze. Chico is a fruit that smells like wine.

Amoy lupa. [uh moy´ loo´pah ]

Ampalaya. [um pa la yah´] That bitter but wonderfully-good-for-you vegetable called bitter gourd. If the juice is squeezed out after a good soaking in salt and water, ampalaya dishes are a gourmet’s delight.

Ampaw. [uhm pao´] Puffed rice made into a sugared treat. Someone’s a weakling when called this.

Anak. [ah nak´] An Indo-Malayan word that means offspring or child. Nanganak means to give birth. Also a song that admonishes children to honor and take care of their parents. The poignant melody, translated into many languages made singer-composer Freddie Aguilar famous.

Anak pawis. [ah nak´ pah´wis] One borne of sweat and hard work.  Also dirt poor. Someone who smells like earth; ergo, near death and the grave.

Andar. [ahn dar´] From the Spanish word to start. But when you say pinaandaran [pee na un´ duh run], it means you’re leading someone on by way
of flattery.

Angel. [ung hel´] The good spirits created by God in the Judeo-Christian tradition. A  Filipino male child’s name. Females are called Angela.

Anghit. [ung hit´] Underarm smell. Body odor which is also called B.O. Pinoys would rather die than be caught with it.

Angpao. [ung paow´] The little red money envelopes the Chinese (and now Pinoys) give out as gifts.

Ano? [ah noh´]  Simply means what? Just as in English, the tone with which it is said determines the degree of incredulity or surprise.

Ano ba yan? [ah noh buh yan´] What is this? Used as an expression of shock, disgust or disapproval. It’s adding the word ba that can make all the difference.

Ano ka ba? [ah noh ka bah´] What’s the matter with you? Asked of already confused people doing something dumb. Can also mean, what the heck are you doing?

Anong nakain mo? [ah nong´ na kain moh´]  Literally, what did you eat? A sarcastic way of saying, what the heck got into you?

Anong say mo? [ah nong´ say moh´] Slang to say, what do you think?

Ano yan? Ano yon? [ah noh yan’, ah noh yon´] What’s this? What’s that? The title of this book that our firstborn and I decided on.

Anting-anting. [un ting´un ting´] A lucky charm; an amulet. Predates the Spanish era when most Filipinos were nature worshippers. Even today, these charms are kept for good luck. We carry them the way North Americans keep a rabbit’s foot or a horseshoe.

Ang. [ung´] The articles the and a or an.  In Filipino, there is no difference in meaning.

Ano ngayon? [ah noh´ nga yon´] So what now? A sassy retort when you don’t want to answer a question.

Anong kiber mo? [ah nong´ ki ber´ moh´] None of your business. Or why are you involved?
Anong say mo? [ah nong´ say moh´] What do you think? or give me your take on this. The opposite of anong kiber mo?

Apat. [ah´pat] To mean the number 4.  In Chinese, this sounds like the Chinese word for death so many Pinoys of Chinese descent consider it unlucky.

Apir! [ah peer´] A word to mean cool or ok. Usually said with a high five since it is a corruption of up here!

Apo. [ah poh´] Can mean grandchild when the accent is on the second syllable; but can also mean God or a title for a revered elder. Also used as an expression of surprise, or exasperation: ay Ápo!

Apog. [ah´pohg]. The literal meaning: limestone. The colloquial meaning: guts, bravado.

[May] araw ka rin! [ may  ah´rao kah  rin´] You’ll have your day. A veiled threat from someone you’ve crossed paths with.


Aray! [ah rye´]. Means ouch! in Filipino. Said with varying intensity depending on the pain felt. Whenever we uttered aray!  in hospitals abroad, we would assure the medical staff that we were not cussing in Filipino.


Arnis. [ahr nis´] The ancient Filipino art of self defense using two sticks of equal length. Arnis has gone international, but whether the Pinoy is given credit for the invention is not certain.

Arroz caldo. [ah roz´ cal doh´] Literally means rice soup in Spanish. A porridge of sautéed pieces of chicken, toasted garlic bits, and chives usually eaten for merienda (a snack at midday). Also comfort food for those with colds and fever.

Arte [ahr teh´]  From the Spanish word for art or artsy fartsy. The artistic inclinations of someone.

Asa. [ah´sah]  To depend on or something depended on.

Asalto. [ah sal´toh] To surprise someone with a get-together in one’s honor—except the real meaning in Spanish is to assault someone !

Asar. [ah sar´] Annoyance. To be irritated. The opposite of astig!  Kids say it to convey displeasure.

Asim. [ah´sim] This means sour, but in today’s lingo, it means the sexual attractiveness of women. Wala (to mean none) silang asim refers to has beens. Of course they beg to disagree. They generally prefer younger men as boyfriends or spouses, as if to prove us wrong.

As in. [as in] The Pinoy translation in English of parang which means like or similar to. Everybody uses it. Worse, it is used in the beginning of a sentence similar to the way kids use like in North America.

Aso. [ah´soh] The word means dog, although we’ve heard it used as a cuss word to mean a low life person. The same word with the accent on the second syllable means smoke.

Aso’t pusa. [ah´soht  poo´sah] Those who fight like cats and dogs. Different species, different strokes. Similar to administration versus opposition politicians. That’s fine. It’s those who are cats one day then dogs another who should be ashamed of themselves.

Astig. [ahs tig´] We seem to love inverting or mixing up syllables. From the word tigas or hard. Can be used as a noun, adjective or verb to mean cool or wow. Also used to convey approval.

Asungot! [ah sung´ot] A pain. Someone who causes trouble, grief.

Asus! [ah sus´] An irreverent exclamation since this is short for ay Hesus or the Pinoy version of my God!  Sometimes uttered as a  way of saying, no way!

Aswang. [ahs wang´]. A member of the underworld  who takes various forms such as a large dog. The aswang is said to steal unborn babies. Little kids are
told to fear the aswang, who appears anywhere and anytime.

Ate. [ah´teh] A title of respect given to the eldest female offspring. From a Chinese custom where each family member is given a title depending on one’s birth order. Also used as a sign of respect for anyone older.

At iba pa [aht´ iba  pah´]. Abbreviated as atbp. to mean etcetera or and others.

Ati-atihan. [ah tee´ ah tee´ han´] Citified Pinoys fly to attend this annual festival in Antique province. Participants put on charcoal and dance in the streets alá New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. The event honors the Christ Child.

[Sa] atin-atin lang. [ sa  ah´tin ah´tin lang´]. We’ve heard this before: between you and me… Surest way to get news out.

Atras abante. [ah tras´ ah ban´teh] Forward-backwards, but literally means backwards-forward. Can’t make up one’s mind. See urong-sulong.

Atraso. [ah tra´so] A significant debt, not necessarily monetary, that needs to be rectified.

Ati ku pung sinsing. [ah tee´ kuh pung sin sing´] A Pampango ballad where a girl laments the loss of a favorite ring (sinsing). Folk song most associated with this ethnic group.

Atribida. [ah tri bih´dah] The antagonist, or at worst, the villain—like the evil step-parent.

Atupag. [ah tuh´pag] A colloquial take on to find or to diligently look for.

Awa ng Diyos. [ah´wah ng dee yos´] God’s mercy. An important component of the Filipino belief system. Although it means the mercy of God, it is also understood as trust in Divine Providence. Filipinos survive many contradictions in because they have the grace to abandon their cares to God.

Awat na! [ah´wat nah´] Give up or stop now. Say this to someone who has already done what is due, or to someone who has tried, but can’t seem to quite make it.

Awit. [ah´wit] To mean, song as a noun, or sing as a verb. Filipinos love to sing and to dance, part of their easy-going, cheerful spirit. Awit also means ratting on a crime.

Ay! [eye´] An expression of surprise, similar to oh!  Can be followed by naku or sus depending on one’s mood. Apparently, saying ay is a purely Pinoy expression because non-Filipinos smile at us every time they hear it.

Ay buhay! [eye´ buh´hay] A Pinoy expression of resignation to one’s fate: ay buhay…parang life! (Oh, life! Just like life!)

Ayan! [ah yan´] Here it is or it’s here or that’s it!  Or even, I told you so!  The funny thing is, a native knows exactly what to say when, and the listener knows exactly what it means!

Ayaw ko. [ah yaw koh´] Means, don't want it or not interested. Looks cute if a 2-year-old boy says it to refuse a bag of chocolates that you offer for a hug.

Ayon! [ah yon´] There it is or over there, as opposed to over here. It is also used to mean Eureka! I found it! or so that was it!

Ayos. [ah yos´] Means fixed. Can also mean, it's okay! or it's done with!  accompanied with a sense of satisfaction. If the accent is on the first syllable, it means to fix.

Ayos na ang buto-buto. [ah yos´ nah ang buh toh´ buh toh´] A variation of ayos. Literally means the bones are fixed.

Ay siya. [eye´ see yah´] To tell you the truth, there is really no meaning to this phrase. I've heard it times said to end a conversation, like ending this list for the Letter A.

Press here to move on to the Letter B.