20 Filipino Words You Can’t Translate To English.
Filipinos are known for our immense skills in being creative. Here are some of the Filipino words that we find difficult to translate into English.
Filipinos always have words for everything.
In this article, we will give you the list of several Filipino words that don’t translate directly to English.
20. Bangungot
It’s more than a nightmare. It’s falling asleep, having a nightmare and then not being able to wake up.
19. Daw
Kinda “allegedly”, but more of an “or so she says”, or not. People say it if they are not sure about something.
18. Basta
It could be ‘enough’ or an expression when you don’t feel like explaining what you feel or mean in detail.
17.Kilig
A romantic feeling.
16. Naks
An expression usually uttered to someone who just experienced something amazing.
15. Gigil
It could also be an expression of anger, or an intense feeling that urge you to pinch something or someone really cute.
14.Usog
A Filipino superstition where, usually, an unsuspecting child could suffer from an illness when greeted or complimented by strangers.
13. Pambahay
A comfortable set of clothes usually worn at home.
12. Kulit
Kulit can sometimes translate to annoying.
11. Pasma
Numbness or tremors caused by exposure to cold water after a tiring activity.
10. Lambing
when someone is being sweet.
9. Papak
To eat a food item that’s usually eaten with rice on its own.
8. Umay
8. UmayThe feeling of being satiated after eating a particular food over and over again.
7. Lihi
Often associated with pregnant women.
6. Pagpag
Filipino Superstition, when you’ve come from a wake, a funeral or a cremation because you might be “carrying something with you.”
5. Tampo
Usually felt towards a special someone.
4. Pasalubong
Bringing back practically anything as a gift to people back home after traveling overseas.
3. Pikon
Refers to people who are hot-headed and easily angered.
2. Arte
Refers to people who are overly dramatic.
1. Naman
Doesn’t really mean anything but it is usually affixed to a sentence denote emphasis or contrast.
