You probably know more Tagalog words than you think. This language, spoken by over 80 million people in the Philippines — and by millions more around the world — has quietly infiltrated English. From culinary ingredients to geographical terms and everyday words, Tagalog has left its mark everywhere. Ready to discover these linguistic treasures?
At Targumi, we offer Tagalog courses with certified native teachers. But before diving into learning, let us explore the words you already know!
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Tagalog Loanwords in English
Boondocks (bundok)
If you have ever heard the expression "out in the boondocks" (in the middle of nowhere), you have used a Tagalog word without knowing it. Bundok means "mountain" in Tagalog. It was American soldiers stationed in the Philippines during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) who adopted this term to describe remote, rural areas. The word then crossed the Pacific and settled permanently into American slang.
Ylang-ylang
This word that immediately evokes exotic perfumes and essential oils comes directly from the Tagalog ilang-ilang, meaning "flower of flowers" or "rare flower." The Cananga odorata tree, native to the Philippines, produces these yellow flowers with an enchanting fragrance used in luxury perfumery — notably in the famous Chanel No. 5.
Adobo
This one is fascinating! While the word "adobo" seems Spanish (from "adobar," to marinate), the Philippine dish adobo actually predates Spanish colonization. Filipinos were already marinating their meat in vinegar and garlic before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. The colonizers simply gave their word to a culinary technique that already existed. Today, adobo is considered the national dish of the Philippines.
Other Notable Loanwords
| Word Used |
| Original Meaning |
| ----------- |
| ----------------- |
| Cogon (grass) |
| Type of tall tropical grass |
| Abaca |
| Fiber plant (Manila hemp) |
| Manila (envelope) |
| Name of the capital, linked to the nilad plant |
| Ube |
| Purple yam from the Philippines |
| Lumpia |
| Filipino spring roll |
| Halo-halo |
| Mixed shaved ice dessert (lit. "mix-mix") |
| Spanish |
| English |
| --------- |
| --------- |
| Uno |
| One |
| Dos |
| Two |
| Tres |
| Three |
| Cuatro |
| Four |
| Cinco |
| Five |
| Seis |
| Six |
| Siete |
| Seven |
| Ocho |
| Eight |
| Nueve |
| Nine |
| Diez |
| Ten |
| Spanish |
| English |
| --------- |
| --------- |
| Cocina |
| Kitchen |
| Tenedor |
| Fork |
| Cuchara |
| Spoon |
| Zapato |
| Shoes |
| Ventana |
| Window |
| Mesa |
| Table |
| Silla |
| Chair |
| Cama |
| Bed |
| Tiempo |
| Time / Weather |
| Basura |
| Trash / Waste |
| Tagalog Word |
| What It Actually Means |
| ------------- |
| ---------------------- |
| Libre |
| Available or free of charge (context-dependent) |
| Guwapo |
| Used for women too in some regions |
| Salvage |
| To kill (!) — meaning inverted during martial law |
| Comfort room (CR) |
| Restroom / Toilet |
| Viand |
| The main dish (not necessarily meat) |
The case of "salvage" is particularly striking. During the martial law period under Marcos (1972-1981), the word was repurposed to describe extrajudicial killings. Even today, "na-salvage" means "to have been killed" in everyday Tagalog.
Untranslatable Words
Tagalog has words with no direct equivalent in European languages. They reveal a unique worldview:
Kilig — That feeling of butterflies in your stomach, a romantic thrill, when someone you love does something touching. More than joy, more than excitement: it is "kilig." Philippine TV series are actually designed to provoke kilig in viewers. Gigil — The irresistible urge to squeeze, pinch or bite something (or someone) because it is so cute. When you see an adorable baby and want to pinch their cheeks, that is gigil. Scientists call it "cute aggression" in English, but Tagalog had a word for it long before science did. Tampo — The act of silently sulking at someone when you are hurt or disappointed, without explaining why. It is not loud anger; it is a silent emotional withdrawal that waits for the other person to understand what they did. Tampo is a central element of Philippine social relationships. Pagmamano — The gesture of taking an elder's hand and bringing it to your forehead as a sign of respect. It is more than a gesture: it is a cultural institution. Bayanihan — The spirit of communal help, traditionally illustrated by the image of neighbors carrying a bamboo house together to move it. Today, the word describes any form of collective solidarity.---
Why Learn Tagalog?
Tagalog is much more than a small "exotic" language. It is:
And most importantly, Filipinos are known for their hospitality and their joy when a foreigner makes the effort to speak their language. A few words of Tagalog will open doors and hearts.
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Next Steps
Want to go beyond borrowed words? Here is how to start your Tagalog adventure:
1. Discover our Tagalog courses with certified native teachers 2. Check our pricing — plans for every budget 3. See how it works — our simple and effective method
Tagalog is a language that surprises, entertains and touches the heart. From "boondocks" to "kilig," it has already conquered the world without anyone noticing. Now it is your turn to truly discover it!
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Article written by Maria Santos, Tagalog teacher at Targumi and comparative linguistics enthusiast. At Targumi, we make learning Tagalog accessible to everyone.