Buwan ng Wika may be over, but the sheer power that our language wields will always go beyond the special occasion. One could even argue that we’ve acclimated ourselves to the magic of Filipino words long before we could form complete sentences with them. How could we not, when everyday greetings as simple as po and opo already hold generations’ worth of traditions and values that’ve foregrounded our culture?
Photo: GMA Network
The ebbs and flows of our language have grown steadily alongside us. In class, its foundations and technicalities enriched us and made our introductions to Filipino literature more memorable than we could’ve ever imagined. Now, the same rich vocabulary sticks with us in the dynamic trends and phenomena that make our pop culture landscape unlike any other.
The word wika alone carries countless meanings that’ve become the blueprint for the vibrant avenues of communication we know and love today. From timeless tales to the powerful local music scene, and even “chronically online” references better left unexplained, our lexicon boasts a ton of unique terms that pack a punch despite lacking direct foreign counterparts.
Whether you’re crafting a killer caption on social media or simply striking up a conversation, these multifaceted words have helped us grow closer to the Filipino language than we’ve ever been before. Expressing ourselves just got easier (and funner), and we have these remarkable terms to thank.
Kilig
Filipinos know this feeling down pat. Our boundless catalog of emotions wouldn’t be complete without kilig, the unfathomable rush of adoration that bubbles in your stomach the moment you and your “special someone” lock eyes. Beyond romantic developments, kilig can also mean a burst of positivity you might get from, say, a stranger complimenting your outfit or encouraging feedback at work.
For example:
- Nag-chat si crush kanina. Grabe ‘yung kilig ko, abot-langit!
Charot
A quip. A harmless joke. Something you didn’t mean that probably slipped out of you just for kicks. Simply put, a wittier way to say “just kidding!” The expression, one of the most prominent in Filipino gay lingo, lets us get away with our exaggerated and unhinged thoughts, too.
For example:
- Sana may feelings din siya sa’kin para puwede na kaming magpakasal. Charot!
Gigil
Gigil is two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, it’s most people’s go-to expression towards anything adorable enough to make their hearts swell with “cuteness aggression.” But it also pertains to pent-up frustration—usually stirred by any instance that got you on your last nerve.
For example:
- Grabe ‘yung traffic kahapon! Muntik na akong manggigil sa inis.
Tampo
Though tampo has no direct translation, it’s a complex emotion that couples know by heart. The term captures the subtle ways we channel our hurt and annoyance when a close friend or loved one upsets us. Withdrawing from conversations, giving the silent treatment, and momentarily avoiding any efforts to resolve things? That’s pagtatampo for you. It happens to the best of us.
For example:
- Nagtatampo ako sa jowa ko. Ilang araw na siyang ‘di nagpaparamdam sa chat, kahit “seen” man lang.
Umay
Our brains can only handle so much of the same thing. Once or twice is fine, but as soon as a pattern arises that constantly burdens you with no end in sight, that’s when umay enters the picture. Not to be confused with pagsasawa, or seeking something new out of experiences we’ve grown too accustomed to, we use umay to describe whatever bothers us beyond repair, rendering us indifferent to its effect on us over time.
For example:
- Umay na umay na ako sa init. Araw-araw akong pinagpapawisan!
Basta
There are multitudes to basta that, most of the time, only Filipinos can fully understand. Want to involve a friend in something you can’t explain in detail yet? Basta. Need a simpler way to say “as long as,” in the context of staying safe and away from danger? Basta. Eager to assure someone that you’ll figure things out eventually and blow caution to the wind? Basta.
For example:
- Basta, uuwi ako nang maaga mamaya. ‘Wag kang mag-alala.
Lihi/Paglilihi
Lihi, in the simplest sense, refers to the intense cravings and fixations that women develop throughout the early stages of pregnancy. In Filipino superstitions, paglilihi occurs when a child physically or emotionally embodies whatever their mother deeply craved when she was still pregnant.
For example:
- Ang daldal mo naman. Pinaglihi ka ba sa manok?
Honorable Mention: Avisala
Gen Z Filipinos have found their new buzzword in Avisala, one of the many special expressions that encapsulates the language of Encantadia. As a longstanding pop culture staple, the “chronically online” have deemed it a humorous greeting and the latest addition to their arsenal of memes.
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What are your favorite Filipino words and expressions? Sound off and share your picks with us in the comments below!
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