Kapampangan Words

While the Kapampángan word “kalam” means “grace, blessing”, there is a similar word in Tagálog that means quite the opposite! KÁLAM • (KAH-luhm)grace, blessing, giftRoot: álamTagálog (Filipino): biyáyà False FriendsTagálog (Filipino)KALÁM “hunger pains in the stomach” KapampánganKÁLAM “grace, blessing, gift” Derived WordMÁLAM • (MAH-luhm)gracious, generousTagálog (Filipino): mapagbiyáyà Verb Conjugationmagkálam, mágkálam, mégkálam – to bestow blessings … Read more

Amian The months of January and February are the peak of the cool and dry amian (Tagalog: amíhan) season. A picturesque Kapampángan scene during this time is the twin-peaked Mt. Arayat seemingly floating over the low-lying fog that covers the fields of the Central Luzon plain in the early morning. AMIAN / AMIAM • (uh-MYUHN … Read more

Kamangiang Did you know that the Kapampángan word for “frankincense” is very similar to its word for “string bean”? KAMANGIANG • (kuh-muh-NGYUHNG)(1) frankincenseTagálog (Filipino): kamanyáng (2) string bean, green beanTagálog (Filipino): sítaw Variations: kamangian, kamaniang  

Asawa It was National Spouses Day yesterday! How do you say “spouse” in your language? ASÁWA • (uh-SAH-wuh)spouse (husband/wife)Tagálog (Filipino): asáwa Derived WordMIYASÁWA • (mi-yuh-SAH-wuh)married coupleTagálog (Filipino): mag-asáwa TALÁSÁWA • (tuh-LAH-SAH-wuh)having a spouse; a married personTagálog (Filipino): may-asáwa Verb Conjugationmakiasáwa, mákiasáwa, mékiasáwa – to find someone to marry; to become married; to settle down Example … Read more

Kuraldal VIVA APU LUCIA! Kapampángans end the holidays and start the year by asking for healing to a patron saint, a tradition that’s said to go back to pre-colonial times and is also timely for current happenings. KURALDAL • (koo-ruhl-DUHL)(1) a dance ritual for saints;(2) a festival during Epiphany (January 6) to honor St. Lucy … Read more