Kapampangan Words

It’s the last Marites, I mean, Martis / Martés of the month! How do you say “Tuesday” in your language? MARTIS • (muhr-TIS)TuesdayTagálog (Filipino): Martés EtymologyFrom Spanish martes (“Tuesday”) You may want to read: Lunis Webis Sabadu

Kalamunding Did you know that the English word calamondin, which refers to the Philippine lime (popularly known as calamansi in the Philippines), comes from the Kapampángan language? It was International Lime Day earlier this month, so here’s the Kapampángan word for the Philippine lime or calamansi! KALAMUNDING • (kuh-luh-moon-DING)calamansi, calamondin, Philippine lime (Citrus × microcarpa)Tagálog … Read more

Did you know that “gágâ” means “cry” in Kapampángan, along with “kiak”? How do you say “cry” in your language? GÁGÂ • (GAH-ga’)cry; crying, weepingTagálog (Filipino): iyák Derived WordPAGÁGÂ • (puh-GAH-ga’)crybaby; prone to cryingTagálog (Filipino): íyákin Verb Conjugationgumágâ, gágágâ, gínágâ – to cry (Actor Focus)pagágan, pápagágâ, pépagágâ – to make someone cry (Object Focus) KIAK … Read more

Tampaling “We keep ‘H’ out of our f-ing mouths!” A throwback post to exactly a year ago when we witnessed that historic slap heard around the world! (Kapampángan is known for not having an /h/ phoneme compared to other Philippine languages.) TAMPÁLING • (tuhm-PAH-ling)slap on the cheekTagálog (Filipino): sampál SAPÍNGIL • (suh-PEE-ngil)hard hit or smack … Read more

Loku Happy April Fools! Did you know that the word for “to fool” in Kapampángan comes from the Spanish word for “crazy”? LÓKU • (LOH-koo)(1) naughty, mischievous(2) jerk, fool, trickster, prankster(3) (to) fool, trick, teaseFeminine: lókaTagálog (Filipino): lóko/a EtymologyFrom Spanish loco/a (“crazy”) These words are commonly defined as “crazy” in dictionaries (due to their etymology), … Read more