Kapampangan Words

Pun Last Sunday was Arbor Day in the Philippines! Did you know that the word for tree in Philippine languages is also a word that means “base” or “principal part”? This is in relation to its structure of having a central trunk that branches out to its outer parts such as leaves and fruits. PUN … Read more

Mabasa Let’s welcome the wet season with the Kapampángan word for “wet”! How do you say “wet” in your language? MABASÂ • (muh-buh-SA’)wetTagálog (Filipino): basâ RootBASÂ • (buh-SA’)wetness, (to) wet, douseTagálog (Filipino): basâ HomonymsBASÂ = (to) wet, douseTagálog (Filipino): basâ BÁSÂ = (to) readTagálog (Filipino): bása/basá Derived WordBASAN • (buh-SUHN)rag for wipingTagálog (Filipino): basáhan Verb … Read more

Pitna/Pitnga We’re halfway through the year! How do you say “half” in your language? PITNÂ / PITNGÂ • (pit-NA’) / (pit-NGA’)(to) halve, divideTagálog (Filipino): hátì Derived WordKAPITNÂ • (kuh-pit-NA’)halfTagálog (Filipino): kalahátì Derived CompoundKAPITÁNGANG BENGI • (kuh-pi-TAH-nguhng BEH-ngi)midnight(Béngi = Night)Tagálog (Filipino): hátinggabi Verb Conjugationpitnan, pipitnan, pinitnâ – to halve, divide something (Object Focus)mamitnâ, mámitnâ, mémitnâ – … Read more

Lual The first Saturday of every month is National Play Outside Day! How do you say “outside” in your language? LUAL • (lwuhl)out, outsideTagálog (Filipino): labás Derived WordKILUAL • (ki-LWUHL)outsideTagálog (Filipino): (sa) labás PILUÁLAN • (pi-LWAH-luhn)exit, way outTagálog (Filipino): lábásan PALUAL • (puh-LWUHL)outbound, on the way outTagálog (Filipino): palabás KALUALAN • (kuh-lwuh-LUHN)outcome, end resultTagálog (Filipino): … Read more

Alisus June & July are tornado months in Pampanga, one of the most tornado-stricken areas in the Philippines due to its relatively flat terrain. Last week, June 22, 2023, a large tornado hit the town of Bacolor, Pampanga which caused significant damage to two barangays (villages). ALISUS • (uh-li-SOOS)tornado, whirlwindTagálog (Filipino): buháwì, ípu-ípo You may … Read more