Patu

Patu
Patu | @kapampangan.words

Patu

It was National Rubber Ducky Day last month! How do you say “duck” in your language? Did you know that Philippine languages have different common words for different duck types?

PÁTU • (PAH-too)
duck (general)
Tagálog (Filipino): páto

Etymology
From Spanish pato (“duck”), from Arabic بط (baṭṭ, “duck”), from Persian بت (bat, “duck”).

BÍBI • (BEE-bi)
light-colored domesticated duck/duckling
(raised for its meat)
Tagálog (Filipino): bíbe

ÍTIK • (EE-tik)
dark-colored domesticated duck (raised for its eggs)
Tagálog (Filipino): ítik

DUMARÂ • (doo-muh-RA’)
Philippine native wild duck (Anas luzonica, a native species)
Tagálog (Filipino): papán

Possible Etymology
From Sanskrit ढामरा (ḍhāmarā) “goose”

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