Spokening Dollar?: Must-Learn Filipino Slang Words

Filipinos are reputed to be good English speakers relative to their Southeast Asian counterparts. Many overseas employers give preference to Filipino workers because of their proficiency in the English language. Notwithstanding this reputable status, Filipinos have concocted slang words that have been derived from the English language and have become part of the Filipino way of life.  Call it corrupted English but they are essentially a reflection of the Filipinos’ innovative psyche and free spirit that may have well been cultivated by prolonged economic lack and struggle. If you find yourself around Filipinos, keep these words in mind. They may just save you from getting off course and confused. You may now proceed at your own risk.

Abno/Abnoy – from the English word, “abnormal”; someone who has lost his mind

Bad trip – not in a good mood

Chika babe – a girl, lady

Ermat – from the English word, “Mother”; syllables have been inverted

Erpat – from the English word, “Father”; syllables have been inverted

Big future – big breasts of a woman

Gets mo? – Did you get it? Did you understand it?

Spokening dollar – someone proficient in English or someone trying hard to speak  

English

Ja- fake – from the English word, “fake”

Jingle – to urinate

Kano – American

Lo bat – low batt (as in a cellphone)

Manyakis – from the English word, “maniac”

OA – short for overacting

Pakner- from the English word, “partner”

Pinoy – Filipino

Rambol – from the English word, “rumble”; meaning a fight

Taglish – a mix of Tagalog and English

Under the table – a bribe

Under the saya – a henpecked husband; “saya” is a native costume of Filipino women

Wa epek – from the English phrase, “no effect”

Wa-is – from the English word, “wise”

The list is endless but these are some that you can put to good use. So if you are a KANO stuck in a PINOY world, be WA-IS and save yourself from getting ABNOY or BAD TRIP. It doesn’t matter if you are SPOKENING DOLLAR or TAGLISH. You can always JA-FAKE your ignorance. GETS MO?