List of Tagalog loanwords

The Tagalog language, due to its history of connections with the rest of Asia, and the influence of European colonization, has developed a unique vocabulary since its inception from its Austronesian roots. The influence of the Sanskrit, Arabic, Spanish, Greek, Latin, Arabic, English, Spanish, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian languages can be seen in the Tagalog language. According to the linguistic expert Jose Villa Panganiban, "of the 30,000 root words in the Tagalog language, there are close to 5,000 from Spanish, 3,200 from Malay, 1,500 from English, 1,500 from both Hokkien (Min Nan) and Yueh Chinese dialects, 300 from Sanskrit, 200 from Arabic, and a few hundred altogether from other languages"^{[citation needed]}. Some linguists claim that borrowings from Malay cannot be ascertained at this time, as words from the Old Austronesian language and those from Malay are still ambiguous and too similar to be distinguished, but some linguists studying the Malay language came to recognize semantic cognates with other Austronesian words, thereby classifying some others to be of Malay provenance^{[citation needed]}.

Spanish

Spanish has bequeathed the most loan words to Tagalog. According to linguists, Spanish (5,000) has even surpassed Malayo–Indonesian (3,500) in terms of loan words borrowed. About 40% of everyday (informal) Tagalog conversation is practically made up of Spanish loanwords. An example is the sentence below, wherein Spanish–derived words are italicized (original in parentheses):

"Puwede (Puede) ba akong umupo sa silya (cilla) sa tabi ng bintana (ventana) habang nasa biyahe (viaje) tayo sa eroplano (aeroplano)?" ("May I sit in the chair nearest the window in the duration of our voyage in the airplane?")

Most have retained at least their original spelling, pronunciation, and definition such as basura', delikadesa, and demokrasya.

Others have morphed like 'ku(ha)nin' (Sp.: 'coja' + Tag. '–nin'), which has inconspicuously developed into another pure Tagalog–sounding word. Another one is maamong kordero (from Sp. amo & cordero). Combined together, it conveys the description of a meek, tame, harmless human with Tagalog adjective prefix and suffix added. The compound word batya't palo–palo, a must word in the laundry business where many Spanish words proliferate. The words were taken from the Spanish batea for "washing tub" and palo for "stick" or "beater", something a typical Filipino might think had no Spanish provenance at all. Others are umpisa (empieza), pulubi (pobre), pader (pared).

Some have totally gained new meaning such as kursonada (corazonada, originally meaning '"hunch", has changed to "object of desire"); sospechoso, the "suspicious person" and not the "suspect" anymore as it originally means in Spanish; imbyerna (invierna), meant 'winter' became a word for 'bummer'; or 'insekto' – 'insect' transformed into a 'pesty clownish person'; or even 'sigue' a Spanish word for 'continue' or 'follow' now widely understood as the second or third to the last word when about to hang up the phone ('O sigue uhm, bye.').

Others use prefixes and/or suffixes, combined from Tagalog or other languages without which the word can not be completed and convey its meaning. For example, 'pakialamero' (from Tag. 'pakialam' and the Sp. suffix '–ero'); same as 'majongero' ('mahjong' an obviously Chinese word and the Sp. suffix '–ero'). 'Daisysiete' becomes a corrupted word from English 'daisy' and the Spanish 'decisiete' combining and overlapping to coin the term to mean a sweet and sexually desirable sounding female who is underaged (below 18 years old). And 'bastusing katawan' (Sp.: 'basto' & Tag.: 'katawan') combined to form a term for a bombshell body.

Even after the Spanish colonists left, Tagalog is still being influenced by Spanish as new words are coined, albeit in its own terms, viz. 'alaskador' ('Alaska' + Sp. suffix '–ador'); 'barkada' (from Sp.: 'barca' or a 'boat' to a 'clique'); 'berde' ('green' nuanced to 'toilet joke'); which are not understood in Spain or any Latin American country. In a strange twist, even if Filipinos have a chance to Tagalized words using foreign words, currently English—their most accessible influence—they coin words in a uniquely Hispanizing way i.e. 'boksingero' (from Eng. 'boxing') instead of using the Spanish 'boxeador't. Or 'basketbolista' (from Eng. 'basketball'), instead of borrowing from Spanish 'baloncesto' to make it say 'baloncestista' or 'baloncestador' (although basketball is "básquetbol" in many Latin American countries).

Here are the examples of Spanish–derived Tagalog words in the following format: Word (Etymology – Original Definition/s if different from Nuanced Definition. = Derivative Definition if Compound Words) – Nuanced Definition. Shared Definition precedes Nuanced Definition if both exist.

Tagalog	Spanish	Meaning
Abante	Avante	Ahead, Forward
Ahensiya	Agéncia	Agency
Ambisyoso	Ambicioso	Ambitious
Bodega	Bodega	Warehouse
Colegio/Kolehiyo	Colegio	College
Diyos	Dios	God
Edukasyon	Educación	Education
Eskwela	Escuela	School
Guerra/Giyera	Guerra	War
Hustisya	Justicia	Justice
Hapon	Japón	Japan
Ingles	Inglés	English
Kalye	Calle	Street
Kapasidad	Capacídad	Capacity
Kultura	Cultura	Culture
Luho	Lujo	Luxury
Monarkiya	Monarquía	Monarchy
Mundo	Mundo	World
Nasyonalista	Nacionalista	Nationalist
Numero	Número	Number
Operasyon	Operación	Operation
Ordinansa	Ordinanza	Ordinance
Oras	Horas	Time Hour
Pamilya	Familia	Family
Pilipinas	Filipinas	Philippines
Probinsya	Provincia	Province
Realidad	Realidad	Reality
Republika	República	Republic
Reyna	Reina	Queen
Sabon	Jabón	Soap
Tableta	Tableta	Tablet
Teknolohiya	Tecnología	Technology
Yelo	Hielo	Ice

English

English has been used in everyday Tagalog conversation. This kind of conversation is called Taglish. English words borrowed by Tagalog are mostly modern and technical terms, but English words are also used for short usage (many Tagalog words translated from English are very long) or to avoid literal translation and repetition of the same particular Tagalog word. English makes the second largest vocabulary of Tagalog after Spanish. In written language, English words in a Tagalog sentence are written as they are, but they are sometimes written in Tagalog phonetic spelling. Here are some examples:

Here are some examples:

Tagalog	English
Basketbol	Basketball
Biskwit	Biscuit
Byu	View
Direk	Director
Ekonomiks	Economics
Interbyu	Interview
Iskor	Score
Iskrin	Screen
Ispiker	Speaker
Isports	Sports
Istampid	Stampede
Catsup/Kechap	Ketchup
Keyk	Cake
Perpyum	Perfume
Websayt	Website

Cognates with Malay

Tagalog is an Austronesian language and a close cousin of both Malay varieties in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Because of this close relationship, there are many cognates between the two languages stretching back many millennia. Many cognates were re-borrowed into in the language when Old Malay became the official language of trade and documentation during the pre-Hispanic era of Philippine history, as evidenced by the Laguna Copperplate Inscription of 900 AD and accounts of Pigafetta at the time of the Spanish arrival in the country 5 centuries later. This is a small sample of the thousands of cognates present between Tagalog and Malay.

Tagalog	Malay	Meaning
Ako	Aku	I (first person)
Balik	Balik	Return
Bansà	Bangsa	Country
Daán	Jalan	Street, road
Hangin	Angin	Wind
Itik	Itik	Duck
Itim	Hitam	Black
Kalapatî	Merpati	Pigeon
Lalaki	Lelaki, Laki–laki	Male
Langit	Langit	Sky, Heaven
Sakit	Sakit	Ill
Mura	Murah	Cheap
Pangulo	Penghulu	President
Pulà	Merah	Red
Putî	Putih	White
Saksi	Saksi	Witness
Sarap	Sedap	Delicious
Sulat	Surat	Letter
Tamis	Manis	Sweet
Taon	Tahun	Year
Utak	Otak	Brain
Mahal	Mahal	Expensive
Sintá	Cinta	Love (Possessive)
Anak	Anak	Child
Kanan	Kanan	Right
Guntíng	Gunting	Scissor
Lima	Lima	Five
Ikaw	Kau	You
Durián	Durian	Durian
Tulong	Tolong	Help
Pulò	Pulau	Island
Rambután	Rambutan	Rambutan
Batík	Batik	Spot, speckle
Batò	Batu	Stone
Lahat	Lalat	All
Mulâ	Mula	From
Radyo	Radio	Radio
Medya	Media	Media
Sanggol	Sanggul	Infant
Dagat	Darat	Sea
Payong	Payung	Umbrella
Kita	Kita	We (1st person dual, i.e. "you and I")
Kami	Kami	We (excludes addresee)
Dingding	Dinding	Wall
Mangga	Mangga	Mango
Halagâ	Harga	Price
Babae	Bibi	Female
Timog	Timur	South
Ulan	Hujan	Rain
Buwaya	Buaya	Crocodile
Bawang	Bawang	Garlic
Apat	Empat	Four
Ánim	Enam	Six
Salitá	Cerita	Word
Balitá	Berita	News
Kambing	Kambing	Goat
Tahanan	Tahanan	House
Halaman	Halaman	Plant
Kapag	Kapan	When
Ulat	Ulat	Report
Bakit	Bukit	Why
Buwan	Bulan	Month
Laban	Lawan	Oppose (v.), Opposition (n.)
Langka	Nangka	Jackfruit
Balimbing	Belimbing	Starfruit
Aprikot	Aprikot	Apricot
Lemon	Lemon	Lemon
Papaya	Pepaya	Papaya
Bunga	Bunga	Fruit
Lawa	Rawa	Lake
Helikopter	Helikopter	Helicopter
Balakáng	Belakang	Hip
Libo	Ribu	Thousand
Utang	Utang	Debt

Sanskrit

Tagalog	Sanskrit	Meaning
Alak	Arak	Wine
Bahala	Bahala	Fate
Bathala	Bathala	Almighty
Bahagi	Bhag	Part Portion
Budhî	Bodhi	Conscience
Diwa	Jiwa	Spirit, Consciousness
Diwata	Devanta	Fairy/ Nymph
Dukha	Dukkha	Destitute
Guro	Guru	Teacher, Mentor
Karma	Karma	Karma
Kathâ	Katha	Creation
Mahárlika	Mahardhikka	Nobility
Mukhâ	Mukha	Face
Sutlâ	Sutra	Silk
Visayas	Vijaya	Major islands group in central Philippines. Main islands are: Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Panay.

Hindi

Tagalog	Hindi	Meaning
Achara	Achar	Pickled Pickles
Tsaa	Chai	Tea
Beranda	Veranda	Roofed open gallery porch
Mahal	Mahal	Beloved Sweetheart
Sabón	Saboon	Soap
Syampu	Champo	Shampoo

Gujarati

• Bumbay (Gujarati: Bombay) – Term used for people of South Asian descent.

Arabic

• Alam (Arabic: Alham) – Knowledge, understanding.
• Hiyâ (Arabic: Hayaa) - to feel shame, blush.
• Hukum(Arabic: Hukum) - Judge

Min Nan (Hokkien), Yueh (Cantonese), and Mandarin Chinese

During the time when several Kingdoms existed in the area of what is now Luzon(in reference to the Luzon Empire or Kingdom of Tondo), diplomatic ties were established with the Ming dynasty. Contact also reached as far as the Sultan of Sulu. As a result, many Chinese loanwords were gained, some examples are:

• Apo (Hokkien: 阿公/A–kong) – Grandfather (the word 'apo' means grandchild/ren in Tagalog).
• Ate (Hokkien: 阿姊/A–chí) – Eldest sister.
• Bakya (Hokkien: 木屐/ba̍k-kia̍h) – Native wooden sandals.
• Batchoy (Hokkien: 肉水/bah-chúi) – Pork in soup.
• Bihon (Hokkien: 米粉/bí-hún) – Rice vermicelli
• Bitsin (Hokkien: 味精/bī-cheng) – monosodium glutamate.
• Chekwa (Slang/corruption for Intsik, see ‘intsik’.)
• Daw/Raw (Mandarin: Tao, Originally meant "God", "Way", or "God's Way") – He said/she said/they said/it was said/reportedly/supposedly.
• Ditse (Hokkien: 二姊/Dī–chí) – Second eldest sister.
• Hikaw (Hokkien: 耳鉤/hī–kau) – Earrings.
• Jusi (Hokkien: 富絲/hù-si) – Cloth made from pineapple fibers.
• Impo (Hokkien: 阿媽/A–má) – Grandmother.
• Ingkong (Hokkien: 阿公/A–kong) – Grandfather.
• Intsík (Hokkien: Din Tiak) – Chino.
• Kuya (哥哥; Cantonese: ko–ko; Hokkien: keh–ya) – Eldest brother.
• Lumpia (Hokkien: 潤餅/jūn-piáⁿ) – lumpia/spring rolls.
• Mami (Hokkien: 肉麵/bah-mī) – Meat and noodles in soup.
• Pati (Hokkien: ) – Including.
• Pancit (Hokkien: 便ê食/piān-ê-si̍t) – Noodles with sauce.
• Petsay (Hokkien: 白菜/pe̍h-chhài) – Chinese cabbage.
• Pesa (Hokkien: 白sa̍h) – Plain boiled.
• Santse (Hokkien: 三姊/San–chí) – Third eldest sister.
• Sitsit (Hokkien: ) – Pssst...
• Siyansi (Hokkien: 煎匙/chian-sî) – Spoon-like kitchen turner/spatula.
• Siyopaw/siopao (Hokkien: 燒包/sio-pau) – Dough ball filled with pork/beef/carabao meat.
• Sotanghon (Hokkien: 苏冬粉/so-tang-hun) – Cellophane noodles
• Suki (Hokkien: 主客/chu–khe) – Regular Customer.
• Sungki (Hokkien: 伸齒/chhun-khí) – Malocclusion.
• Susi (Hokkien: 鎖匙/só–sî) – Key.
• Tikoy (Hokkien: 甜粿/Tih–ke) – Chinese New Year's cake Nian gao.
• Tingi (Hokkien:) – Selling at retail.
• Tokwa (Hokkien: 豆干/tāu-koaⁿ) – Soybean curd
• Totso (Hokkien: 豆油醋魚/tāu–iû-chhò͘-hî) – Sauteed fish.
• Toyo (Hokkien: 豆油/tāu–iû) – Soy sauce.
• Tausi (Hokkien: 豆豉/tāu-si; 'beans fermented/in brine') – Fermented black beans.

Japanese

During the era of the several Kingdoms in the Luzon area, and even in the Visayas, trade was established between them and South East and East Asia(especially Japan and China). Word borrowings from Japanese were most likely from trade, some examples are:

• Dahan–dahan (Nihongo: だんだん　dandan) – Slowly, gradually.
• Haba (Nihongo: 幅　haba) – Width or Breadth.
• Kaban (Nihongo: 鞄　kaban – Bag, satchel.) – Sack of rice.
• Kampay (Nihongo: 乾杯 kanpai) - Cheers!
• Katol (Nihongo: 蚊取線香　katori-senkou) – Mosquito coil.
• Jack-en-poy (NIhongo: じゃんけんぽん　jankenpon) - Rock-paper-scissors
• Tamang-tama (Nihongo: 偶々　tama-tama) - coincidentally
• Karaoke (Nihongo: カラオケ karaoke) – A form of musical entertainment, usually social in nature where one sings from a selection of songs with the aid of an audio–video guide that provides the instrumental accompaniment and flashes the scripts of the lyrics for the player to read.

Nahuatl (Aztec Mexican)

Tagalog gained Nahuatl words through Spanish and with the galleon trade with Mexico during the Hispanic era.

• Akuwete (Nahuatl: Achiotl via Mex. Sp.: Achiote) – Annatto seeds.
• Kamatsile/Kamatsili/Camachile (Nahuatl: Cuanhmochitl via Mex. Sp.: Guamáchili) – Sweet tamarind or Manila tamarind.
• Kamote (Nahuatl: Camotli via Mex. Sp.: Camote) – Sweet potato.
• Pitaka (Nahuatl: Petlacalli via Mex. Sp.: Petaca) – Suitcase) – Coin purse.
• Sayote (Nahuatl: Chayotli via Mex. Sp.: Chayote) – A Mexican squash.
• Singkamas (Nahuatl: Xicamatl via Mex. Sp.: Jicama) – A sweet root crop (water chestnut).
• Sukil (Nahuatl: Xochitl via Mex. Sp.: Suchil) – A flower.
• Tatay (Nahuatl: Tatl) – Father.
• Tiangge/Tiyangge (Nahuatl: Tianquiztli via Mex. Sp.: Tianguis) – Seasonal markets.
• Tsokolate (Nahuatl: Xocolatl or Chocolatl via Mex. Sp.: Chocolate) – Chocolate.
• Tsonggo (Nahuatl via Mex. Sp.: Chango) – Monkey.
• Sapote (Nahuatl: Tzapotl via Mex. Sp.: Chico sapote) – Sapodilla, now called Chico or Tsiko. However the word Zapote remained in the minds of Filipinos as a place i.e. Zapote, Cavite.

Arawak–Taíno–Caribbean/Central American

• Bayabas (Always Plu.) (Arawak: Guayabo via Mex. Sp.: Guayaba) – Guava.
• Kasikwe/Cacique (Arawak via Mex. Sp.: Cacique) – Chief, boss.
• Kaimito/Caimito (Unknown but somewhere in Caribbean/Central American via Mex. Sp.: Caimito) – Star fruit.
• Mani (Always Sing.) Taíno: Maní via Mex. Sp.: Maní) – Peanut. Slang for clitoris.
• Mais (Taíno: Maíz via Mex. Sp.: Maíz) – Maiz.
• Papaya (Arawak: Papáia via Mex. Sp. Papaya) – Papaya.
• Patatas (Always plu.) (Taíno: Batata via Mex. Sp.: Patata) – Potato.

References

• Azteca.net
• Academia.org
• Gbarto.com
• Hispanic Culture in the Philippines
• Asiarecipe.com
• Words of Nahautl Origin
• Mexican Words
• Azteca.net
• [1]

Additional readings

• [2]
• [3]

See also

• filipinokastila homepage
• Seasite
• homepage