21 Fun Facts about the Filipino Language

Sharing is caring!

What if I told you there’s a language where “kilig” describes that flutter in your stomach when you’re crushing on someone, and “gigil” is the urge to pinch something cute? 

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Filipino language!

From its Spanish influences to its knack for turning English words into something uniquely Filipino, this Southeast Asian language is full of surprises.

Whether you’re a language buff, a culture enthusiast, or someone who loves a good fun fact, you’re in for a treat. By the time we’re done, you’ll be itching to drop some Filipino phrases into your next conversation.

Trust us, after reading this article, you’ll say “Ang galing!” (That’s awesome!) with the best of them.

 

1. Filipino is the Philippines’ national language. 

Filipino, based primarily on Tagalog, was officially declared the national language in the 1987 Constitution. 

This decision came after years of debate and consideration of the country’s linguistic diversity, to create a language that will bridge its many linguistic communities while still acknowledging its 170+ spoken languages, with 19 languages officially recognized and used in teaching. 

 

2. Filipino is just one of the 170+ languages in the Philippines!

Would you believe that this archipelagic country is linguistically diverse? The Philippines is home to over 170 languages (up to 195 depending on the classification used)!

While Filipino is the national language and English is also widely used, many Filipinos are multilingual, speaking their regional language, Filipino, and often English. 

Some of the major language groups include Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, and Waray, each with its own rich history, literature, and cultural significance. 

 

3. Filipino has a lot of regional variations. 

While Filipino is the standardized national language based primarily on Tagalog, it incorporates elements from other Philippine languages, leading to significant regional variations. 

For instance, what’s called “sibuyas” (onion) in Tagalog-based Filipino might be “bombay” in Cebuano-speaking regions. 

The pronoun “ako” (I) in standard Filipino becomes “ako” with a different stress in Ilocano-influenced areas. 

While these regional differences reflect the linguistic diversity of the Philippines and ongoing language standardization, they also present an interesting challenge for national communication, as speakers often need to adjust their Filipino based on their audience’s regional background.

 

4. The language reflects colonial history. 

The Filipino language serves as a linguistic record of the Philippines’ colonial past, particularly evident in its extensive borrowings from Spanish. 

During over three centuries of Spanish rule (333 to be exact), many words related to religion, governance, and daily life were adopted into the language. 

For example, most days of the week in Filipino are derived from Spanish (Lunes, Martes, Miyerkoles, etc.). Similarly, many kinship terms (tito/tita for uncle/aunt), household items (mesa for table, silya for chair), and countless other words have Spanish origins. 

The American colonial period later added a significant layer of English loanwords, especially in fields like technology, education, and popular culture. 

 

5. Filipino is a blend of multiple languages. 

Filipino is a linguistic blend, woven from threads of various origins. Its vocabulary incorporates words from Spanish, English, Chinese, Malay, and numerous indigenous Philippine languages. 

This rich blend reflects the Philippines’ complex history of trade, colonization, and cultural exchange. Spanish influence is particularly strong, a legacy of over three centuries of colonial rule. 

English words entered the language during the American colonial period and continue to be adopted today. Chinese loanwords, mainly from Hokkien, reflect centuries of trade relations. Malay words point to ancient connections with other Southeast Asian cultures. 

 

6. Filipino borrowed some of its words from Arabic. 

The influence of Arabic on Filipino, particularly in predominantly Muslim areas like Mindanao, attests to the historical Islamic presence in the region. 

Words like “salamat” (thank you), which comes from the Arabic “salamah” (peace), have become integral to everyday Filipino speech. Other examples include “alam” (knowledge), from Arabic “alam,” and “halal” (permissible), retaining their original meaning. 

 

7. “Alpabetong Filipino” uses letters from the Latin alphabet.

As a result of centuries of influence from the West, first from Spanish colonization and then from American rule, Filipino is written using the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet, plus the Spanish Ñ. 

Known as the Modern Filipino Alphabet or “Alpabetong Filipino,” this alphabet system was officially adopted in 1987. This makes Filipino relatively accessible for English speakers to read, even if they don’t understand the words. 

But the letters can be pronounced differently from their English counterparts, some of the sounds being uniquely Filipino.

 

8. The Filipino alphabet has changed over time.

The evolution of the Filipino alphabet reflects the language’s adaptability and the country’s changing linguistic policies. 

The modern Filipino alphabet, originally called “Abakada,” was introduced in 1940 by Lope K. Santos. It initially consisted of 20 letters, designed to represent the sounds of Tagalog. 

However, when Filipino was established as the national language and incorporated more loanwords, additional letters needed to be incorporated. In 1987, the alphabet was expanded to include the letters C, F, J, Ñ, Q, V, X, and Z, bringing the total to 28 letters. 

 

9. Spanish colonial rule has also influenced the Filipino counting system.

The Filipino counting system is an intriguing blend of native and Spanish influences. Numbers from one to ten use native Tagalog words: isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, siyam, sampu. 

But, for numbers eleven and above, the system switches to a Spanish-based format. For example, “eleven” is “labing-isa,” which means “over-one.”

This pattern continues: “labing-dalawa” (twelve), “labing-tatlo” (thirteen), and so on. Larger numbers revert to Spanish-derived words, like “bente” (twenty) and “trenta” (thirty). 

 

10. Filipino has loan words that have changed meaning. 

The Filipino language has adopted many loanwords from other languages, particularly Spanish and English. Interestingly, some of these words have taken on new meanings quite different from their original ones. 

A prime example is the word “salvage,” which in Filipino means “to assassinate” or “to summarily execute,” a stark contrast to its English meaning of “to save or rescue,” likely originating during a period of political unrest.

Another example is “kubeta,” derived from the Spanish “cubierta” (covered), which in Filipino refers to a toilet. 

 

11. The Filipino language is gender inclusive.

Unknown to many, Filipino uses gender-neutral terms compared to their European counterparts. They have the third-person singular pronoun “siya,” which can mean he, she, or it. 

Other commonly used gender-neutral Filipino words include “asawa” meaning spouse, regardless of gender, and “kapatid,” meaning sibling, whether brother or sister. 

But if specificity is needed, Filipino speakers can add gendered words for clarity, such as “lalaki” (male) or “babae” (female).

 

12. “Po” and “opo” are hallmark Filipino respect markers. 

Filipinos are big on respect, especially for the elderly and authority figures. Hence, you’ll find this value deeply ingrained in their language with the words “po” and “opo.”

They are generally added to sentences when speaking to older people, superiors, or strangers as a sign of politeness and deference. 

“Po” is used in general polite speech, while “opo” is an affirmative response, similar to “yes, sir/ma’am.”

These markers are what Filipino children are taught firsthand — their absence in speech can be perceived as rude or ill-mannered. 

Unfortunately, these words have no direct English translation.

 

13. Emotion-specific words are common in Filipino.

The Filipino language is renowned for its ability to express nuanced emotions through words that often lack direct English equivalents. 

“Kilig,” for instance, describes the flutter or jittery feeling in your stomach when you see your crush or experience something romantically exciting.

“Gigil” refers to the overwhelming urge to pinch or squeeze something extremely cute, often accompanied by gritted teeth or clenched fists. 

Another example is “tampo,” a feeling of being upset or offended but expressing it through withdrawal rather than confrontation.

 

14. Taglish is a popular form of code-switching. 

Taglish, a portmanteau of Tagalog and English, is a widely used form of code-switching in the Philippines. It involves mixing Tagalog and English words, phrases, or sentences in everyday speech and writing and is more commonly used in urban areas and among younger generations. 

Taglish can range from using English loanwords in Tagalog sentences to alternating between the two languages within a single conversation. 

 

15. Reduplication is widely used in Filipino.

Reduplication, the repetition of words or parts of words, is a common and expressive feature in Filipino that is primarily used for emphasis or to modify the meaning of words. 

For instance, “araw-araw” (every day) emphasizes the daily nature more than just “araw” (day) alone. Similarly, “kain-kain” intensifies the act of eating, suggesting continuous or excessive eating.

Reduplication can also indicate plurality (bato-bato for many stones), distribution (isa-isa for one by one), or diminutives (kaunti-kaunti for just a tiny bit). 

 

16. There’s a poetic tradition called “Balagtasan.” 

Balagtasan is a form of poetic debate that showcases the lyrical and argumentative nature of the Filipino language. 

Named after Francisco Balagtas, a renowned Filipino poet, this tradition involves two or more poets engaging in a verbal joust, presenting arguments in verse form. 

The debaters must adhere to specific rhyme schemes and meters while displaying quick wit and mastery of language. Topics can range from social issues to matters of the heart. 

 

17. Filipino features many idioms related to food. 

Filipinos love food, and this is reflected in the language’s rich array of food-related idioms. These expressions often use culinary terms to convey broader life concepts. 

For example, “bahaw na ang sinaing” (the rice is already cooked) is used to mean “it’s too late” or “the opportunity has passed.” 

“Magkasingtamis ng asukal at asin” (as alike as sugar and salt) describes two very different things or people. 

“Nag-iinit ang kanin” (the rice is getting hot) suggests that a situation is becoming tense or problematic. 

 

18. Filipino sign language is recognized officially. 

In a significant move towards inclusivity, Filipino Sign Language (FSL) was officially recognized as the national sign language of the Philippines in 2018 with the passage of Republic Act No. 11106. 

This recognition is crucial for the Deaf community, as it mandates the use of FSL in schools, broadcast media, and government transactions. 

FSL is distinct from other sign languages and has evolved naturally within the Filipino Deaf community, incorporating elements from Filipino culture and regional variations, much like spoken Filipino. 

 

19. The language has sounds not found in English! 

Filipino phonology includes several sounds that can be challenging for English speakers. The “ng” sound at the beginning of words, as in “ngayon” (now) or “ngipin” (tooth), is one such example.

While this sound exists in English at the end of words like “sing,” it’s rarely found at the beginning. 

Another unique sound is the glottal stop, represented by a hyphen in some words, like “ma-al” (expensive). The rolled “r” sound, while not unique to Filipino, can also be tricky for some English speakers. 

Mastering these sounds is key to achieving authentic pronunciation in Filipino.

 

20. Filipino has a rich system of affixes. 

The Filipino language boasts an extensive and complex system of affixes (prefixes, infixes, and suffixes) that allows for remarkable flexibility and nuance in expression. 

These affixes can significantly alter the meaning of root words, change verbs into nouns, adjust the focus of a sentence, or indicate tense, aspect, and mood. 

For example, the root word “turo” (teach) can become “nagtuturo” (is teaching), “ituro” (to teach something), “magturo” (to teach), or “maturuan” (to be taught), each with a slightly different emphasis. 

Think of it like learning the English system of verb tenses, but done the Filipino way.

 

21. Filipino is a continuously evolving language. 

Like all living languages, Filipino is in a constant state of evolution, adapting to new realities and needs of its speakers. This is particularly evident in the rapid adoption of new words related to technology, social media, and pop culture. 

Terms like “i-text” (to send a text message), “mag-selfie” (to take a selfie), or “na-hack” (got hacked) show how English tech terms are readily incorporated and “Filipinized.” 

The language also creates new words for modern concepts, like “kapwa-tweet” for fellow Twitter user. Additionally, youth slang and internet-speak contribute to the language’s ongoing transformation. 

 

Wow, what a journey through the Filipino language! From its rich history to its playful expressions, we’ve covered a lot of ground.

Filipino’s blend of influences, creative wordplay, and unique expressions set it apart. Whether it’s how it borrows words or its knack for describing super specific feelings, Filipino keeps surprising us.

Remember, language is more than just words – it’s a window into a culture’s soul. And Filipino? It’s got soul to spare.