Unfamiliar Words

We often find foreigners who struggle to learn Tagalog rather amusing. But truth be told, Filipinos–no matter how fluent we are in speaking our native language–still have so much to learn.

Here are 10 Uncommon Filipino Words that you might want to share with your friends.

10 Uncommon Noypi Words

1. Pahimakas

English Word: Last Farewell

Meaning: Used to express good wishes on parting.

Sentence: Sila ay naghanda ng kaunting salu-salo para sa pahimakas ng kanilang anak.

2. Payneta

English Word: Comb

Meaning: A strip of plastic, metal, or wood with a row of narrow teeth, used for untangling or arranging the hair

Sentence: Ang payneta ni Anna ay marumi.

3. Alimusom

English Word: Scent

Meaning: A distinctive smell especially one that is pleasant.

Sentence: Tila dumikit sa aking damit ang kanyang alimuson.

4. Pang-ulong hatinig

English Word: Earphones

Meaning: A device that holds an earphone and a microphone in place on a person’s head.

Sentence: Gumamit ka ng pang-ulong hatinig ng mas

marinig mong mabuti.

5. Gat

English Word: Sir

Meaning: formal or polite termof address for a man

Sentence: Nagbigay ng pasulit si gat alonte kanina.

6. Yakis 

Meaning: To make something sharp or sharpen  

Sentence: Magpapayakis ako kutsilyo.

7. Sambat

English Word: Fork

Meaning: An implement with two or more prongs used for lifting food to the mouth or holding it when cutting.

Sentence: Si Jr ay hindi sanay kumain ng walang sambat.

8. Badhi

Meaning: lines on the palm of one’s hand

Sentence: Binasa ng manghuhula ang aking badhi at sinabing maganda ang aking kinabukasan.

9. Kabtol

English word: Switch

Meaning: change the position, direction, or focus of.

Sentence: Pinagkabtol niya ang kanyang marka upang mastumaas siya kay Anna.

10. Antipara

English word: Eyeglasses

Meaning: are devices consisting of glass or hard plastic lenses mounted in a frame that holds them in front of a person’s eyes.

Sentence: Binilhan ko si Kayla ng antipara upang makatulong sa kanyang pagaaral.