Filipino English, often called “Filipinoisms,” represents the unique way Filipinos adapt and use the English language, influenced by local languages like Tagalog, Cebuano, and others. While these expressions are perfectly understood within the Philippines, they can sometimes cause confusion in international settings. This comprehensive guide will help you understand 100 common Filipinoisms and their standard English equivalents.
Understanding Filipinoisms
Filipinoisms arise from direct translations of Filipino concepts into English, cultural nuances, or simply established local usage patterns. They’re not “wrong” English—they’re a legitimate variety of World English that reflects Filipino culture and thinking patterns.
100 Common Filipinoisms and Their English Equivalents
1. “I’m going to off the lights.”
Standard English: “I’m going to turn off the lights.”
Meaning: To switch off electrical lighting
Example: “Before leaving the office, I’m going to turn off the lights.”
2. “Please open the aircon.”
Standard English: “Please turn on the air conditioner.”
Meaning: To activate the air conditioning system
Example: “It’s getting hot in here. Please turn on the air conditioner.”
3. “Close the TV.”
Standard English: “Turn off the TV.”
Meaning: To switch off the television
Example: “It’s time for dinner. Turn off the TV.”
4. “For a while.”
Standard English: “Just a moment” or “Hold on.”
Meaning: Please wait briefly
Example: “Hold on, I’ll get my keys.”
5. “Go down from the jeepney.”
Standard English: “Get off the jeepney.”
Meaning: To exit a vehicle
Example: “I need to get off at the next stop.”
6. “I’m going to CR.”
Standard English: “I’m going to the restroom/bathroom.”
Meaning: Going to the comfort room (toilet)
Example: “Excuse me, I’m going to the restroom.”
7. “Traffic is very traffic today.”
Standard English: “Traffic is very heavy today.”
Meaning: There’s significant vehicular congestion
Example: “Traffic is very heavy today, so I’ll be late.”
8. “I’m not comfortable with him.”
Standard English: “I don’t like him” or “I feel uneasy around him.”
Meaning: Feeling awkward or displeased with someone
Example: “I feel uneasy around him because of his attitude.”
9. “Brownout”
Standard English: “Power outage” or “blackout”
Meaning: Electrical power interruption
Example: “There was a power outage in our area last night.”
10. “Comfort room”
Standard English: “Restroom,” “bathroom,” or “toilet”
Meaning: A room with toilet facilities
Example: “Excuse me, where is the restroom?”
11. “Ref”
Standard English: “Refrigerator” or “fridge”
Meaning: Appliance for keeping food cold
Example: “Put the milk in the refrigerator.”
12. “Aircon”
Standard English: “Air conditioner” or “AC”
Meaning: Cooling system
Example: “The air conditioner is broken.”
13. “Xerox”
Standard English: “Photocopy”
Meaning: To make copies of documents
Example: “I need to photocopy these documents.”
14. “Colgate”
Standard English: “Toothpaste”
Meaning: Dental hygiene product
Example: “I need to buy toothpaste.”
15. “Pentel pen”
Standard English: “Marker” or “felt-tip pen”
Meaning: Writing instrument with felt tip
Example: “Can I borrow your marker?”
16. “Extend patience”
Standard English: “Be patient” or “have patience”
Meaning: To remain calm and tolerant
Example: “Please be patient while we resolve this issue.”
17. “High blood”
Standard English: “High blood pressure” or “hypertension”
Meaning: Medical condition with elevated blood pressure
Example: “My doctor says I have high blood pressure.”
18. “LBM”
Standard English: “Diarrhea” or “loose bowel movement”
Meaning: Digestive condition
Example: “I can’t come to work today because I have diarrhea.”
19. “Nosebleed”
Standard English: “It’s too difficult” or “I can’t understand”
Meaning: Something is too challenging (slang)
Example: “This math problem is too difficult for me.”
20. “Borrow me your pen.”
Standard English: “Lend me your pen” or “Can I borrow your pen?”
Meaning: Request to use someone’s pen temporarily
Example: “Can I borrow your pen?”
21. “I’m going to market.”
Standard English: “I’m going to the market.”
Meaning: Going to shop at the marketplace
Example: “I’m going to the market to buy vegetables.”
22. “Pakbet”
Standard English: “It’s okay” or “never mind”
Meaning: Expression of acceptance or resignation
Example: “Never mind, we’ll try again tomorrow.”
23. “I’m not used to it.”
Standard English: “I’m not accustomed to it.”
Meaning: Unfamiliar with something
Example: “I’m not accustomed to this cold weather.”
24. “I’m going to wash the dishes.”
Standard English: “I’m going to do the dishes.”
Meaning: To clean plates, cups, and utensils
Example: “After dinner, I’m going to do the dishes.”
25. “Double dead”
Standard English: “Very dead” or “completely lifeless”
Meaning: Extremely dead (often used humorously)
Example: “The battery is completely dead.”
26. “Stick to the wall.”
Standard English: “Stand against the wall.”
Meaning: Position oneself next to the wall
Example: “Please stand against the wall for the photo.”
27. “Fruits in season”
Standard English: “Seasonal fruits”
Meaning: Fruits available during their natural growing period
Example: “Mangoes are seasonal fruits available in summer.”
28. “Make it fast.”
Standard English: “Hurry up” or “do it quickly”
Meaning: Request to speed up an action
Example: “Hurry up, we’re going to be late!”
29. “Carnap”
Standard English: “Car theft” or “carjacking”
Meaning: Stealing a vehicle
Example: “There was a car theft incident in our neighborhood.”
30. “Salvage”
Standard English: “Execute” or “kill”
Meaning: To murder (Filipino context differs from standard English)
Example: “The witness was murdered.” (Note: Standard “salvage” means to rescue)
31. “Rubber shoes”
Standard English: “Sneakers” or “athletic shoes”
Meaning: Casual sports footwear
Example: “I need new sneakers for jogging.”
32. “Ballpen”
Standard English: “Pen” or “ballpoint pen”
Meaning: Writing instrument
Example: “Do you have a pen I can use?”
33. “Bago”
Standard English: “New”
Meaning: Recently acquired or unused
Example: “I bought a new car yesterday.”
34. “Ketchup-an”
Standard English: “Add ketchup to” or “put ketchup on”
Meaning: The act of adding ketchup
Example: “Put some ketchup on your fries.”
35. “Pasilip”
Standard English: “Preview” or “sneak peek”
Meaning: Early glimpse of something
Example: “Here’s a preview of our new product.”
36. “Blowout”
Standard English: “Treat” or “celebration”
Meaning: Paying for others’ food/drinks
Example: “It’s my treat today since I got promoted.”
37. “Jeepney”
Standard English: “Public utility vehicle” or “local bus”
Meaning: Filipino public transportation
Example: “I took the public bus to get here.”
38. “Tsinelas”
Standard English: “Flip-flops” or “slippers”
Meaning: Casual footwear
Example: “I’m just wearing flip-flops today.”
39. “Kikay kit”
Standard English: “Makeup kit” or “cosmetics bag”
Meaning: Collection of beauty products
Example: “I forgot my cosmetics bag at home.”
40. “Gimmick”
Standard English: “Hang out” or “go out”
Meaning: Social activity with friends
Example: “Let’s hang out at the mall this weekend.”
41. “Ma Ling”
Standard English: “Canned corned beef”
Meaning: Processed meat product
Example: “We’re having canned corned beef for breakfast.”
42. “Zonrox”
Standard English: “Bleach”
Meaning: Cleaning/whitening agent
Example: “Use bleach to remove those stains.”
43. “Pitaka”
Standard English: “Wallet”
Meaning: Small bag for carrying money and cards
Example: “I left my wallet in the car.”
44. “Lasting”
Standard English: “Lipstick”
Meaning: Cosmetic for coloring lips
Example: “She applied lipstick before the meeting.”
45. “Plantsa”
Standard English: “Iron” (for clothes)
Meaning: Device for removing wrinkles from fabric
Example: “I need to iron my shirt for tomorrow.”
46. “Sumbong”
Standard English: “Report” or “tell on”
Meaning: To inform authority about wrongdoing
Example: “I’m going to report this to the manager.”
47. “Iskul”
Standard English: “School”
Meaning: Educational institution
Example: “The children are at school.”
48. “Syota”
Standard English: “Boyfriend/girlfriend”
Meaning: Romantic partner
Example: “I’m meeting my boyfriend later.”
49. “Jowa”
Standard English: “Boyfriend/girlfriend”
Meaning: Romantic partner (more casual)
Example: “Do you have a boyfriend?”
50. “Chika”
Standard English: “Gossip” or “chat”
Meaning: Casual conversation or rumors
Example: “Let’s chat over coffee.”
51. “Dedo”
Standard English: “Out of battery” or “dead battery”
Meaning: Device has no power
Example: “My phone’s battery is dead.”
52. “Barkada”
Standard English: “Group of friends”
Meaning: Close circle of companions
Example: “I’m going out with my group of friends.”
53. “Tambay”
Standard English: “Hang around” or “loiter”
Meaning: Spending time idly in a place
Example: “They’re just hanging around the street corner.”
54. “Gigil”
Standard English: “Overwhelming urge to squeeze something cute”
Meaning: Intense feeling toward something adorable
Example: “The baby is so cute, I have an overwhelming urge to squeeze him!”
55. “Kilig”
Standard English: “Butterflies in stomach” or “giddy with excitement”
Meaning: Feeling of romantic excitement
Example: “I get butterflies in my stomach when I see him.”
56. “Lihi”
Standard English: “Pregnancy craving”
Meaning: Unusual food desires during pregnancy
Example: “She has strange pregnancy cravings.”
57. “Pasma”
Standard English: “Sudden temperature shock”
Meaning: Condition from sudden hot-to-cold exposure
Example: “Don’t put your hands in cold water right after ironing.”
58. “Usog”
Standard English: “Evil eye” or “hex”
Meaning: Belief in harmful effects from admiration
Example: “Some people believe in the evil eye affecting children.”
59. “Laglag bala”
Standard English: “Bullet planting scheme”
Meaning: Security scam involving planted ammunition
Example: “Travelers worry about security scams at airports.”
60. “Kodakan”
Standard English: “Photo session” or “picture taking”
Meaning: Activity of taking photographs
Example: “Let’s have a photo session at the beach.”
61. “For take out”
Standard English: “To go” or “takeaway”
Meaning: Food ordered to be eaten elsewhere
Example: “I’ll have this order to go, please.”
62. “Fishball”
Standard English: “Fish ball” (street food)
Meaning: Deep-fried fish paste balls
Example: “I bought some fish balls from the street vendor.”
63. “Dirty ice cream”
Standard English: “Street-sold ice cream”
Meaning: Ice cream sold by mobile vendors
Example: “The kids love the ice cream from street vendors.”
64. “Gimik”
Standard English: “Event” or “party”
Meaning: Social gathering or celebration
Example: “Are you coming to the party tonight?”
65. “Torpe”
Standard English: “Shy” or “awkward around crushes”
Meaning: Too timid to express romantic interest
Example: “He’s too shy to ask her out on a date.”
66. “Harot”
Standard English: “Flirt”
Meaning: Person who flirts excessively
Example: “He’s such a flirt with everyone.”
67. “Epal”
Standard English: “Attention seeker”
Meaning: Someone who intrudes for attention
Example: “Don’t be such an attention seeker.”
68. “KJ” (Kill Joy)
Standard English: “Party pooper” or “spoilsport”
Meaning: Someone who ruins the fun
Example: “Don’t be a party pooper, join us!”
69. “Petiks”
Standard English: “Easy” or “no work”
Meaning: Simple task or free time
Example: “Today’s work schedule is easy.”
70. “Diskarte”
Standard English: “Strategy” or “resourcefulness”
Meaning: Clever way of solving problems
Example: “You need a good strategy to succeed.”
71. “Hiya”
Standard English: “Shame” or “embarrassment”
Meaning: Feeling of social awkwardness
Example: “I felt embarrassed when I tripped in public.”
72. “Pakikipagkapwa”
Standard English: “Shared identity” or “humaneness”
Meaning: Sense of shared identity with others
Example: “Filipinos have a strong sense of humaneness.”
73. “Utang na loob”
Standard English: “Debt of gratitude”
Meaning: Obligation to repay kindness
Example: “I have a debt of gratitude to my mentor.”
74. “Amor propio”
Standard English: “Self-esteem” or “pride”
Meaning: Sense of personal dignity
Example: “His pride was hurt by the criticism.”
75. “Bayanihan”
Standard English: “Community spirit”
Meaning: Cooperative effort for common good
Example: “The neighborhood showed great community spirit during the flood.”
76. “Sari-sari store”
Standard English: “Convenience store” or “variety store”
Meaning: Small neighborhood store
Example: “I’ll buy snacks at the convenience store.”
77. “Jeepney driver”
Standard English: “Public transport driver”
Meaning: Person who operates public vehicles
Example: “The public transport driver was very friendly.”
78. “Balikbayan box”
Standard English: “Care package” or “overseas shipment box”
Meaning: Packages sent by overseas Filipinos
Example: “We received a care package from our relatives abroad.”
79. “OFW” (Overseas Filipino Worker)
Standard English: “Migrant worker”
Meaning: Filipino working in another country
Example: “Many migrant workers send money home to their families.”
80. “Remittance”
Standard English: “Money transfer” or “sent money”
Meaning: Money sent from abroad
Example: “She received a money transfer from her son in Dubai.”
81. “Pasalubong”
Standard English: “Souvenir” or “gift from travels”
Meaning: Present brought back from a trip
Example: “Don’t forget to bring souvenirs from your vacation.”
82. “Baon”
Standard English: “Packed lunch” or “allowance”
Meaning: Food or money brought from home
Example: “I brought a packed lunch to work today.”
83. “Tara”
Standard English: “Let’s go” or “come on”
Meaning: Invitation to join or leave
Example: “Come on, let’s go to the movies!”
84. “Libre”
Standard English: “Free” or “my treat”
Meaning: No charge or someone else paying
Example: “This coffee is my treat.”
85. “Raket”
Standard English: “Side job” or “part-time work”
Meaning: Additional source of income
Example: “I have a side job on weekends.”
86. “Carnapping”
Standard English: “Car theft”
Meaning: Stealing vehicles
Example: “Car theft is a serious crime.”
87. “Holdap”
Standard English: “Robbery” or “mugging”
Meaning: Armed theft
Example: “There was a robbery in the neighborhood last night.”
88. “Sabaw”
Standard English: “Absent-minded” or “confused”
Meaning: Mental confusion or tiredness
Example: “I’m feeling absent-minded today.”
89. “Lutang”
Standard English: “Spaced out” or “distracted”
Meaning: Not mentally present
Example: “He seems spaced out during the meeting.”
90. “Petmalu”
Standard English: “Awesome” (reversed “malupet”)
Meaning: Something impressive or cool
Example: “That performance was awesome!”
91. “Werpa”
Standard English: “Power” (reversed)
Meaning: Strength or energy
Example: “You have the power to succeed!”
92. “Charot”
Standard English: “Just kidding”
Meaning: Indicating a joke
Example: “I’m the smartest person alive… just kidding!”
93. “Chibog”
Standard English: “Food” or “let’s eat”
Meaning: Meal or invitation to eat
Example: “Let’s eat, I’m hungry!”
94. “Lodi”
Standard English: “Idol” (reversed)
Meaning: Someone admired
Example: “You’re my idol, teacher!”
95. “Bes”
Standard English: “Best friend”
Meaning: Close friend
Example: “Thanks for helping me, best friend!”
96. “Fam”
Standard English: “Family” or close group
Meaning: Inner circle of friends
Example: “You’re part of my family now.”
97. “Sana all”
Standard English: “I wish that for everyone” or “I wish I had that too”
Meaning: Expression of envy or wishing
Example: “You got a promotion? I wish I had that too!”
98. “Sizt”
Standard English: “Sister” or female friend
Meaning: Term of endearment for female friends
Example: “Thanks for the advice, sister!”
99. “Mamsh”
Standard English: “Ma’am” or “miss”
Meaning: Respectful address to women
Example: “Excuse me, miss, can you help me?”
100. “Shookt”
Standard English: “Shocked” or “shaken”
Meaning: Extremely surprised
Example: “I was shocked when I heard the news!”
Why Understanding Filipinoisms Matters
Learning about Filipinoisms helps in several ways:
Cultural Understanding: These expressions reflect Filipino values, humor, and worldview. Understanding them provides insight into Filipino culture and thinking patterns.
Better Communication: Whether you’re working with Filipino colleagues, friends, or traveling to the Philippines, knowing these expressions improves communication and shows cultural sensitivity.
Language Evolution: Filipinoisms demonstrate how languages adapt and evolve in different cultural contexts. They’re not “mistakes” but legitimate variations that serve specific communicative purposes.
Professional Benefits: In international business settings, understanding these variations can prevent miscommunication and build stronger relationships with Filipino partners or colleagues.
Tips for Using Standard English
While Filipinoisms are perfectly acceptable in casual Filipino contexts, here are tips for using standard English in formal or international settings:
- Listen and Learn: Pay attention to how native English speakers express certain ideas
- Read Widely: Exposure to standard English through books, news, and media helps internalize proper usage
- Practice Deliberately: Consciously practice using standard expressions in daily conversation
- Don’t Be Ashamed: Filipinoisms reflect rich cultural heritage—know when to use which variety
- Code-Switch Appropriately: Learn to switch between Filipino English and standard English based on context
Embracing Linguistic Diversity
Filipinoisms represent the beautiful way languages adapt to local cultures and needs. They’re not inferior to standard English—they’re different, serving specific cultural and communicative functions within Filipino society. The goal isn’t to eliminate these expressions but to understand when and where different varieties of English are most appropriate.
Language is living and dynamic. Filipinoisms contribute to the rich tapestry of World Englishes, showing how the language continues to evolve and adapt across different cultures and contexts.
Remember: effective communication is about being understood by your audience. Whether you use Filipinoisms or standard English depends on who you’re talking to and what you’re trying to achieve. Both have their place in the beautiful, diverse world of human communication.
What other Filipinoisms have you encountered? Share your experiences and help others learn about the rich variety of Filipino English expressions!
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