8 Bikolano Words
that Mean
Totally Different Things
in Tagalog
8 Bikolano Words
By Pi Palaganas-Orillosa
Filipino or Tagalog is the primary language in the Philippines. But we have 19 recognized languages, and Bikolano is one of them. And Bikolano, while it’s soothing and malambing-sounding, it’s one of those languages that can make you feel a bit uncomfortable. The region has words that some of us won’t even dare to say out loud.
Except when you know what they mean, that is.
Def. Tag. Bastos
Eng. Translation: Libido, malice, sexual inhibitions, perversion
Def. Bik. Malabo
Eng. Translation: Unclear
Use it in a sentence:
Tagalog: Si Pepe ay malibog.
(Pepe is a pervert.)
Bikol: Malibogon ang sakuyang pag-iling
(I have a poor eye sight.)
Def. Tag. Daga (the animal itself)
Eng. Translation: Rat; mouse
Def. Bik. Lupa
Eng. Translation: Soil; land; lot
Use it in a sentence:
Tagalog: May daga sa ilalim ng kama.
(There’s a mouse under the bed.)
Bikol: Dae ngani magparatam-ac sa daga.
(Stop stepping on the soil.)
Def. Tag. Panira (sira=rootword); lait
Eng. Translation: Hearsay; malicious info; wrecker; ruin; unfit
Def. Bik. Ulam
Eng. Translation: Dish
Use it in a sentence:
Tagalog: Walang mabuting madudulot ang paninira sa kapwa.
(Gossiping won’t do anyone any good.)
Bikol: Masiram ang panira.
(This dish is delicious.)
Def. Tag. Bakal
Eng. Translation: Metal
Def. Bik. Bili
Eng. Translation: buy; purchase
Use it in a sentence:
Tagalog: Bakal ang pundasyon ng gusali.
(They used metal as the building’s foundation.)
Bikol: Mabakal akong sapatos.
(I will buy shoes.)
Def. Tag. Sira
Eng. Translation: Broken
Def. Bik. Isda
Eng. Translation: Fish
Use it in a sentence:
Tagalog: Sira na ang relo ko.
(My watch is broken.)
Bikol: Mahal ang sira ngunyan.
(Fish is expensive today.)
Def. Tag. Sabon
Eng. Translation: Soap
Def. Bik. Balita
Eng. Translation: News
Use it in a sentence:
Tagalog: Bumili si Inday ng bareta sa tindahan
(Inday bought soap from the store)
Bikol: Mararaot gabos na bareta ngunyan.
(There’s nothing but bad news today.)
Def. Tag. Minatamis na gata ng niyog
Eng. Translation: coconut curds/coconut caramel
Def. Bik. Biro;
Eng. Translation: joke; make fun of; tease
Use it in a sentence:
Tagalog: Masarap ang suman latik nila.
(Their suman latik is delicious.)
Bikol: Mayong nagibo si Joey sa latik ni Jessa.
(Joey was caught off guard by Jessa’s teasing.)
Def. Tag. Prepusyo ng ari ng lalaki
Eng. Translation: the glans penis
Def. Bik. Lasing
Eng. Translation: drunk
Use it in a sentence:
Tagalog: Kinagat sya ng langgam sa burat.
(An ant bit him in the penis.)
Bikol: Burat si Peter kasubanggi.
(Peter was drunk last night.)
This is just a tiny proof of how rich our vocabulary is. If you’re going to travel in Bicolandia, make sure you learn other words (i.e. lobot, botog, and the very timely boto).
