10 Uncommonly used FILIPINO Words (FYI!)

“He who does not love his own language is worse than an animal and smelly fish.”

Dr. Jose P. Rizal

Whenever there are concerts of foreign artists or celebrities that take place here in our country, some Filipinos, if not all, are patiently waiting for them to say “Mabuhay” (Long live!), “Mahal ko kayo!” (I love you!), and “Salamat!” (Thank you!). Also, there were times when we laughed at those foreigners who spoke our language; laughing from their mispronounced words and chuckling at those awkward accent they made when they read some filipino terms are some of the examples. On the other hand, we too sometimes don’t know the meaning of some deep filipino words, and sometimes we too became so unfamilar to some terms our grandparents say. Is it good if we cackle to the struggles foreigners experience whenever they pronounce our words improperly when in fact we too are foreigners to our native words?

With that, here are some unfamiliar and uncommonly used filipino terms (that you might encountered before or you might encounter, or you already know.)

Kalimbahin 

English Translation or Meaning: Pink (The term ‘Kalimbahin’ came from the pigment seen inside a guava)

Sentence usage: Tila ba may sumisilip na kulay kalimbahing tinta sa pisngi ng isang dalaga. (There is a pinkish flush peeking through the cheeks of the young maiden.)

Labaha

English Translation or Meaning: Razor

Sentence usage: Pakikuha nga nung aking labaha at humahaba na ang balbas at bigote ko. (Can someone please give me my razor to shave my beard and mustache.)

Dupil

English Translation or Meaning: Amulet (a charm that will prevent ANY unfortunate events; worn by most Filipinos to deliver them from any bad situations and attract good things in life.)

Sentence usage: Habang suot ko ang aking dupil, walang masamang pangyayari ang sasagabal sa akin. (As long as I wear my amulet, I am immune to unfortunate events.)

Karsonsilyo

English Translation or Meaning: Male Undergarment/Underwear. (Act like boxers or briefs.)

Sentence usage: Napaka presko sa pakiramdam kapag suot mo ang iyong karsonsilyo. (It feels so comfortable when you wear your boxers.)

Malamaya

English Translation or Meaning: Gray (It is synonymous to the term ‘Abo’ (which is another tagalog term for gray).According to UP dictionary, originated from the root words “mala” (somewhat) and “maya” (a bird in the Philippines that have either brownish or grayish feathers) (mala + maya or “like a maya“).

Sentence usage: Ang kalangitan ay malamaya; sadiyang nagpapaalam na pagabi na. (The sky is turning gray; telling us that it is at its twilight.)

Duyog

English Translation or Meaning: Eclipse

Sentence usage: Minsa’y naikwento sa akin ng aking lola na may masamang pangitain daw ang paglabas ng isang duyog sa kalangitan. (There was one time when my grandma tells me that the appearance of an eclipse in the sky.)

Sipnayan

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Emglish Translation or Meaning: Mathematics

Sentence usage: Madali ang sipnayan kung iyong pag-aaralan ito ng mabuti. (Mathematics is an easy subject if you only just study it well.)

Sambat

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English Translation or Meaning: Fork

Sentence usage: Pakikuha nga ng isang kutsara at sambat at ako’y kakain na. (Can you please give me a pair of spoon and fork so that I can start eating.)

Karumlan

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English Translation or Meaning: Menstruation (and also pertaining to a female Goddess of Puberty; Karumlan.)

Sentence usage: Hudyat ang karumlan ng pagdadalaga. (Menstruation marks the beginning of puberty.)

Asog

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English Translation or Meaning: Male Priestess (of the Ancient Philippines)

Sentence usage: Dati ay mayroong mga lalaking babaylan na ginagawa ang lahat ng gawi, kilos, at wangis ng isang tunay na babae. Ito’y patunay na dati pa man ay mayroon ng mga taong mas dama ang gawi ng kaniyang kasalungat na kasarian. (There were once a group of men who chose to be a Priestess, while mimics all the habits, acts, and physique of a real woman. This is a proof that even in the old days, there were people who enjoys savoring the feeling of acting as if they were their gender counterparts.)

Let us incorporate some of the deep words to our daily conversations to add hue to our dialogues, and to uplift the Filipino spirit peeking within us. A final friendly reminder: Don’t be a tourist in your own country!