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!

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 Tagalog Origin Original Meaning
Cogon (grass) Kogon Type of tall tropical grass
Abaca Abaka Fiber plant (Manila hemp)
Manila (envelope) Maynila Name of the capital, linked to the nilad plant
Ube Ube Purple yam from the Philippines
Lumpia Lumpiya Filipino spring roll
Halo-halo Halo-halo Mixed shaved ice dessert (lit. "mix-mix")

Ube and lumpia are currently experiencing an explosion of international popularity. Ube, this purple yam with a subtle vanilla and nutty flavor, has become a trendy ingredient in bakeries and ice cream shops worldwide. Lumpia, meanwhile, rivals egg rolls and spring rolls at food festivals everywhere.

Spanish-Tagalog Cognates: A Colonial Legacy

For over 300 years (1565-1898), the Philippines were a Spanish colony. This heritage profoundly shaped Tagalog, which today contains thousands of words of Spanish origin. If you have any familiarity with Spanish or French, you already recognize a lot of Tagalog!

Numbers

Surprisingly, Filipinos commonly use Spanish numbers in daily life, alongside native Tagalog numbers.

Spanish Tagalog English
Uno Uno One
Dos Dos Two
Tres Tres Three
Cuatro Kuwatro Four
Cinco Singko Five
Seis Sais Six
Siete Siyete Seven
Ocho Otso Eight
Nueve Nuwebe Nine
Diez Diyes Ten

Everyday Words

Spanish Tagalog English
Cocina Kusina Kitchen
Tenedor Tinidor Fork
Cuchara Kutsara Spoon
Zapato Sapatos Shoes
Ventana Bintana Window
Mesa Mesa Table
Silla Silya Chair
Cama Kama Bed
Tiempo Tiyempo Time / Weather
Basura Basura Trash / Waste

Striking, is it not? If you speak English or have any Romance language background, you can already guess the meaning of hundreds of Tagalog words thanks to this shared Spanish heritage.

The Taglish Phenomenon

Taglish — a blend of "Tagalog" and "English" — is a fascinating linguistic phenomenon unique to the Philippines. It involves the spontaneous and fluid mixing of Tagalog and English within a single conversation, or even a single sentence.

Common Taglish examples:

  • "Nag-shopping ako kanina" = I went shopping earlier
  • "I-check mo yung email" = Check the email
  • "Na-stress ako sa work" = I am stressed about work
  • "Mag-drive ka na" = Drive now

Taglish is not "bad Tagalog" or "broken English." It is a linguistic code in its own right, mastered by millions of Filipinos, that follows subtle grammatical rules. English verbs, for example, are conjugated according to Tagalog morphology (prefixes mag-, nag-, i-, na-).

This phenomenon also exists in a Tagalog-Spanish version (Taganolo) in certain regions, reflecting the deeply multilingual nature of Philippine society.

False Friends and Untranslatable Words

False Friends

Watch out for traps! Some Tagalog words look like English words but have different meanings:

Tagalog Word What You Might Think What It Actually Means
Libre Free (liberty) Available or free of charge (context-dependent)
Guwapo Handsome (men only) Used for women too in some regions
Salvage To save/rescue To kill (!) — meaning inverted during martial law
Comfort room (CR) Comfortable room Restroom / Toilet
Viand Meat (viande) 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:

  • The 5th most spoken language in the United States
  • The language of a global diaspora present in over 100 countries
  • The gateway to a culture rich in music, cinema and gastronomy
  • A language that is relatively easy for English speakers thanks to Spanish cognates and English loanwords

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.

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!

Article written by Maria Santos, Tagalog teacher at Targumi and comparative linguistics enthusiast. At Targumi, we make learning Tagalog accessible to everyone.

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