Glossary of Filipino Terms
Aking - Conjugated "My" in the Tagalog language.
Ayuda - Help
Ate - Literally translates to "big sister" but is used to refer to a woman similar in age to you.
Bakla - An effeminate man
Bangka - traditional Filipino boat with double outriggers.
Baon - Supply of provisions taken to school, work or on a trip.
Beki (slang) - a homosexual person.
Biro Lang - Just joking.
Bisaya - The Visayan language, spoken in the Visayas region, Palawan and Mindanao.
Boodle Fight - a buffet style meal where the food is served in the middle of a long table lined with banana leaves. It usually consists of rice in the middle and a variety of different sides dotted throughout. Participants line around the table and all eat together there.
Butiki - A small lizard or gecko. Basically a symbol for the Philippines due to their ubiquitous nature.
Carinderia - A small road-side restaurant that serves local and traditional home-cooked food. For one payment, you will have your choice of two to three dishes plus a generous serving of rice.
Datu - Chief
Farang - A Thai word for a European or other foreigner.
Habal-habal - A motorbike for hire that has a make-shift extension placed across the seat, wear 2-3 passengers can sit habal habal or close together.
Jeepney - A leftover from the American colonial period; army jeeps were converted by locals and put to use as a public service. They are still one of the most popular methods of public transport in the Philippines.
Kuya - Literally translates to "big brother" but is used to refer to a man similar in age to you.
Mahal - My love
Mana Po - A sign of respect given to elders by young Filipinos. The hand of the elder is taken and touched to the forehead of the younger.
Masarap - Delicious
Mga Paraw (plural) - Various double rigger sail boats in the Philippines.
Munggo - Mung Bean Soup. A cost effective meal made predominately of mung bean.
Noli Me Tangere - An 1887 novel by national hero Jose Rizal published during the Spanish colonial period.
Parol - Ornamental lantern displayed at Christmas.
Pasalubong - Souvenir
Pasko - Christmas
Pera - Money.
Pulutan - Bar snacks
Puso - Heart
Puting Tao - White person. Puti = white, ng = adjective link, tao = person.
Salakot - A traditional light-weight hat, generally cone shaped and often made from bamboo or palm leaves.
San Miguel Beer (San Mig) - A brand of beer made in the Philippines by the San Miguel Corporation. It's basically the only beer you need when in the Philippines.
Serbesa - Beer (Tagalog spelling).
Sorpresa - Surprise
Sulit - Worth it. Good value.
Swerte - Lucky
Syempre - Of course
Tabo - A small, round container with a handle, used for personal cleaning.
Tagay - Cheers
Tao - Person
Thong (Australian slang) - Foot ware. Also known as flip-flops or slippers.
Ulam - Dish or food to eat for a meal.