Kapampangan Words

Ayunu How do you say “fasting” & “abstinence” in your language? Kapampángan has distinct words for these disciplines which are observed during the Lenten season, so let’s learn about their differences! AYÚNU • (uh-YOO-noo)a fast (not eating); fastingSimilar: kulasiun (“light meal during fasting”)Etymology: Spanish ayuno (“fast”)Tagálog (Filipino): ayúno PANGÍLIN • (puh-NGEE-lin)something refrained or abstained from, … Read more

Kule Happy International Color Day! Just like the different languages of the world, colors exist in a diverse spectrum that gives us an idea of the different ways we view and navigate our world! How do you say “color” in your language? KÚLÉ • (KOO-leh)colorTagálog (Filipino): kúlay Derived WordsMAKÚLÉ • (muh-KOO-leh)colorfulTagálog (Filipino): makúlay KAKÚLÉ • … Read more

Bakal It was Pack Your Lunch Day a few days ago! Did you know that the Kapampángan word for “provisions” differs from the word for “iron” only by stress? How do you say “packed lunch” or “provisions” in your language? BAKAL • (buh-KUHL)provisions, packed stuff (food, money, things, etc.) for school, work, or a tripTagálog … Read more

Masuelu Happy International Day of Happiness! How do you say “happy” in your language? MASUÉLU • (muh-SWEH-loo)happy, satisfied, pleasedTagálog (Filipino): masayá (“happy”; root word: saya), nagágalak (“happy, pleased”, root word: galák) Example SentenceMasuélu kung ákilála da ka. [Kap]Nagágalak akong makilála kitá. [Tag]I’m pleased to meet you. / I’m pleased to have known you. [Eng] Root … Read more

Tugak It was World Frog Day yesterday! How do you say “frog” in your language? Every October, the City of San Fernando in Pampanga holds a festival in honor of the most common and culturally significant amphibian to Kapampángans! TUGAK • (too-GUHK) frog Tagálog (Filipino): palakâ Kapampángan Frog Dance MAMADUAS TAMU! (“Let’s use the paduas … Read more