Believe it or not, some of the Filipino words we use everyday have been included in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Try translating some of it in English and you’ll be surprised.
Oxford has actually included more than two dozen Filipino words in the dictionary!
If you’re wondering what these are, read on.
How Philippine English came about
When the Philippine-American war ended in the year 1902, the newly installed colonial administration quickly introduced the English language to Filipinos. In just a few years, the Americans’ effort to teach the language to the Filipinos has been successful, making the Philippines one of the largest Anglophone nations in the world.
Today, English is the second language of the country and it is evident that the foreign language has been completely embraced by its citizens. But Filipinos did not just embrace it, they also developed their own variety of English.
The Filipinos’ way of using English and their own phrases gave rise to Philippine English.
As per the Oxford English Dictionary, Philippine English had moved beyond the American standard, further improving the English vocabulary. Philippine English has its own “distinctive features of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and discourse determined by the native languages and culture of its Filipino speakers,” it said.
From Abaca (the first word ever recognized by the OED) to our favorite phrase “bahala na,” we’re sharing here some Filipino words and phrases that have been recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary in celebration of Buwan ng Wika.
Aling
We’ve definitely used this word a lot, especially when referring to a vendor in our nearest sari-sari store. You probably even met Aling Nena before.
Definition: A title of courtesy or respect prefixed to the first name of an older woman
Example when used in a sentence: “Oh yes, aling Esmeralda sells the best ensaymada.”
Anting-Anting
Definition: A supernatural force with the capacity to keep its holder safe from harm
Example when used in a sentence: “The anting-anting has a power to make anyone’s life better.”
Arnis
Definition: The Philippines’ official self-defense martial art, which places a strong emphasis on combat using weapons
Example when used in a sentence: “Arnis is a Filipino martial art and can also be used for self-defense.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / @RDNE Stock project
Bahala na
We’ve all used this and this is definitely our favorite phrase. Let me guess, you’ve probably uttered this before: “Bahala na si Batman.”
Definition: An expression of acceptance under a challenging circumstance.
Example when used in a sentence: “Hays, bahala na si Lord dito, this test is so hard!”
Bolo
Definition: A large single-edged knife used in the Philippines.
Example when used in a sentence: “Anak! Can you please get your lolo’s bolo, we have to open these coconuts for the palitaw.”
Bongga
Yes, you heard this word from THAT song before.
Definition: Extravagant or Flamboyant
Example when used in a sentence: “Have you ever heard that song that says, ‘bongga ka day?’ That song is a banger!”
Carretela
We see this a lot in Intramuros
Definition: A horse-drawn carriage
Example when used in a sentence: “I heard riding a Carretela is fun, hope I get to ride on one too.”
Cartolina
We’ve all experienced a time when we forgot to tell our nanay that we needed cartolina for a school project, and only remembered it the night before.
Definition: A type of thick, stiff, colored paper used for making models or posters and in other craftwork.
Example when used in a sentence: “How do I tell my nanay that I need cartolina for school tomorrow?”
Dato
Definition: A landowner or chief in the Philippine Islands.
Example when used in a sentence: “When we had our field trip at Mactan, I happened to have a glimpse of Datu Lapu Lapu’s shrine.”
Despedida
Definition: A social event to mark a person’s departure
Example when used in a sentence: “Our cousin is hosting a despedida before she goes to Canada.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / @Hugo Martinez
Dirty Ice Cream / Sorbetes
It’s so hot in the Philippines and mamang sorbetero is a life saver when you want a cold treat.
Definition: Ice cream sold from handcarts by street vendors.
Example when used in a sentence: “When classes end for the day, I always look for my favorite sorbetero to buy dirty ice cream.”
Courtesy: Unsplash.com / @sharonmccutcheon
Ensaymada
Your favorite equation is: Ensaymada + Hot Choco = Perfection.
Definition: A Filipino spiral-shaped pastry made with sweet yeast dough and topped with sugar and grated cheese.
Example when used in a sentence: “I really like the ensaimada that lola got us as a pasalubong.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / @Mchail Hernandez
Gimmick
Definition: A night out with friends
Example when used in a sentence: “I can’t go tonight, I got invited to another gimmick.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / @Isabella Mendes
‘High-Blood’
Never ever give your tito or tita a bad news, otherwise…
Definition: Feeling angry & agitated at a high-level
Example when used in a sentence: “You better behave or you’ll give me high blood.”
Jeepney
Barya lang po sa umaga
Definition: Public utility vehicles resembling minibuses
Example when used in a sentence: “Hurry up because you’ll need to catch a jeepney to school.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / @RENDAN CATIPAY
Kikay kit
Definition: A bag filled with toiletries and cosmetics.
Example when used in a sentence: “Oh no, I forgot my kikay kit at home!”
Courtesy: pexels.com / MART PRODUCTION
Kilig
We all know how this feels…
Definition: A feeling of exhilaration or elation caused by an exciting or romantic experience
Example when used in a sentence: “She cannot contain her excitement and kilig when he asked her out.”
‘KKB’
We definitely have that one friend who loves this word.
Definition: An abbreviation for “Kanya-kanyang bayad”; used to indicate that the cost is to be shared.
Example when used in a sentence: “Oh KKB ah, ain’t no way I’m giving you free-food again.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / @ArtHouse Studio
‘Mabuhay’
And of course, our iconic line.
Definition: A Filipino salutation
Example when used in a sentence: “Mabuhay! Welcome to The Philippines!”
OFW
Definition: An abbreviation for ‘Overseas Filipino Worker.’
Example when used in a sentence: “His father is an OFW in Kuwait.”
Palay
Remember those things you see on the road wherever you go to visit a province during the summer season? Yes, those are palay.
Definition: Rice that has not been husked
Example when used in a sentence: “You know apo, back in the day when I was your age, we spent the whole summer harvesting palay so we can sell it.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / Vietnam Photographer
Pandesal
Definition: A type of Filipino bread that’s made of flour, eggs, sugar, and salt that is typically served for breakfast.
Example when used in a sentence: “The smell of pandesal in the morning is very nostalgic.”
Courtesy: unsplash.com / @Joyce Romero
Pasalubong
Admit it, you’re always waiting for this.
Definition: A gift or souvenir given to a friend or relative by a person who has returned from a trip or arrived for a visit.
Example when used in a sentence: “Ate come down, nanay is home and she brought pasalubong!”
Pulutan
It’s either the sisig, crispy pata, or the chicharon bulaklak
Definition: Food or snacks provided as an accompaniment to alcoholic drinks
Example when used in a sentence: “I brought the pulutan now where’s the drinks?”
Rotunda
Definition: a traffic circle
Example when used in a sentence: “Hay nako, this rotunda is giving me high-blood!”
Sala
This is where we hang out while we wait for our teleserye during the commercial.
Definition: a living room
Example when used in a sentence: “Me and lola will be staying in the sala so we can watch our teleserye.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / @Pixabay
Sari-sari store
From bar soaps, to school supplies, to ice candies, yes, they sell everything here.
Definition: a small neighborhood store selling a variety of goods
Example when used in a sentence: “If you turn left on that street, you should see a sari-sari store there. There, you can find aling Marites.”
Suki
And of course, we cannot forget our suki who always buys the drinks for the pulutan.
Definition: a regular customer that often buys in the store.
Example when used in a sentence: “Oh anak, you should prepare this list ah, our suki is gonna be picking these later.”
Tabo
If you’re Filipino, you should know what this is.
Definition: a dipper used to scoop up water from a pail or bucket while washing
Example when used in a sentence: “Shower? In the Philippines we use the tabo to clean ourselves.”
Teleserye
One question, how many times did the kontra-bida give you a high-blood?
Definition: A television soap opera
Example when used in a sentence: “Don’t call me now, my teleserye is starting.”
Courtesy: pexels.com / @Karolina Grabowska
Which of these words and phrases do you often use? Let us know in the comments.
With reports from Deanna Lorraine Macaranas
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