Filipino Words In English Dictionary

Filipino language is not just about mabuhay or salamat. Aside from these words, foreigners should know that we, Filipinos, have numerous terms that serve as a manifestation of our distinct identity. And with some Filipino words now officially part of English dictionaries, I think it’s time for our language to be known and this uniqueness to be shared in the world. But before I give you a list of the Filipino-coined words that made it to Oxford English Dictionary, I would like to thank Krystel Araneta for helping me in the cutouts that will be shown in the photos. She said that she helped so that her name will be mentioned here. There you go.

 

ba•lik•ba•yan /bɑlɪkˈbaɪən/ n. A Filipino visiting or returning to the Philippines after a period of living in another country: His return as a balikbayan is part of a growing trend’

 

ba•on /baʊɒn/ n. Money, food, or other provisions taken to school, work, or on a journey.

 

ba•ran•gay /baraŋˈɡʌɪ/ n. In Philippine usage, a village, suburb, or other demarcated neighborhood; a small territorial and administrative district forming the most local level of government.

 

bar•ka•da /bärˈkädə/ n. In the Philippine usage, a group of friends: He spent his time drinking and hanging out with his barkada.

 

ba•rong /bəˈrɒŋ/ n. A lightweight, embroidered shirt for men, worn untucked and traditionally made of piña or a similar vegetable fibre.

 

bu•ko /ˈbuːkəʊ/ n. The gelatinous flesh of an unripe, green-husked, coconut.

 

des•pe•di•da /dɛspəˈdiːdə/ n. A social event honoring someone who is about to depart on a journey or leave an organization; a going-away party.

 

es•ta•fa /ɛˈstafə/ n. Criminal deception, fraud; dishonest dealing.

 

ha•lo-ha•lo /ˌhɑloʊˈhɑloʊ/ n. A Filipino dessert made with mixed fruit, boiled sweetened white beans, milk, and shaved ice, typically topped with purple yam, crème caramel, and ice cream: A tall glass of halo-halo.

 

ma•bu•hay /maˈbuːhʌɪ/ interj. An exclamation of salutation or greeting: long live! good luck (to you)! hurrah! cheers!

 

 

K•K•B /ˌkeɪkeɪˈbiː/ interj. ‘Kaniya-kaniyang bayad’, lit. ‘each one pays their own’, used especially to indicate that the cost of a meal is to be shared.

 

ki•kay /ˈkiːkʌɪ/ 1. adj. Belonging to or characteristic of a kikay, a girl or woman interested in beauty products and fashion; stylishly feminine. 2. n. A flirtatious girl or woman.

 

ki•lig /kiˈliɡ/ 1. n. A feeling of exhilaration or elation caused by an exciting or romantic experience: She could not contain her smiles and kilig, especially when he brought a bouquet of flowers just for her. 2. adj. exhilarated or elated by an exciting or romantic experience: I get kilig every time I hear this song.

 

ku•ya /ˈko͞oyə/ 1. n. an elder brother: Her kuya was out most of the time. 2. n. polite title or form of address for an older man.

 

pan de sal /ˌpan deɪ ˈsal/ n. A yeast-raised bread roll made of flour, eggs, sugar and salt, widely consumed in the Philippines, especially for breakfast.

 

pa•sa•lu•bong /pasəˈluːbɒŋ/ n. A gift or souvenir given to a friend or relative by a person who has returned from a trip or arrived for a visit.

 

pu•lu•tan /pəˈluːtan/ n. Food or snacks provided as an accompaniment to alcoholic drinks.

 

sari-sari store /ˌsarɪˈsari stɔː/ n. A small neighborhood store selling a variety of goods.

 

si•ni•gang /ˈsɪnɪɡaŋ/ n. A type of soup made with meat, shrimp, or fish and flavored with a sour ingredient such as tamarind or guava.

 

su•ki /ˈsuːki/ n. A buyer or seller involved in an arrangement whereby a customer regularly purchases products or services from the same provider in exchange for favourable treatment.