Miguel Jr.
Professional Teacher
False Friends in Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish
According to Google dictionary, a false friend is a word or expression that has a similar form to one in a person's native language, but a different meaning (for example English <em style="color: rgb(60, 64, 67);">magazine</em> and French <em style="color: rgb(60, 64, 67);">magasin</em> ‘shop’).

It is said that 33% of Tagalog words are of Spanish origin (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_loanwords_in_Tagalog). However, through time, the Filipinos have changed the meaning of some Spanish words and thus have become false friends.

Here are some:

Baho

(Originally: bajo)

Tagalog: smelly, foul stench | Spanish: descend, below 

Basta

Tagalog: just because, as long as | Spanish: “Enough!”

Champorado

(Originally: Champurrado)
Tagalog: chocolate rice porridge | Spanish: chocolate corn-based drink

Conyo

(Originally: coño)
Tagalog: English/Taglish-speaking socialite | Spanish: cone; female genitalia/intercourse (informal/ slang)

Kubeta

(Originally: Cubeta)
Tagalog: toilet, restroom | Spanish: bucket

Lamiyerda

(Originally: La mierda)
Tagalog: to hang out/around with friends | Spanish: censored word

Mamon

(Originally: mamón)
Tagalog: sponge cupcake | Spanish: unweaned/suckling baby; breast (informal/ slang)


Muchacho/Muchacha

Tagalog: servant boy/girl | Spanish: boy/girl; servant boy/girl

Puto

Tagalog: a kind rice cake | Spanish: male prostitute

Sabe

Tagalog: to say | Spanish: “He/she knows…”

Sige

(Originally: Sigue)
Tagalog: okay/ sure | Spanish: “He/she continues/follows…”

Siguro

(Originally: Seguro)
Tagalog: maybe | Spanish: sure

Syempre

(Originally: Siempre)
Tagalog: of course | Spanish: always

Sopas

(Originally: Sopa)
Tagalog: chicken macaroni soup | Spanish: soup


Todo

Tagalog: maximum | Spanish: every, full




Feb 5, 2020 1:55 PM
Comments · 6
2
Funny list, Miguel! I won’t comment on “English/Taglish-speaking socialite”, but my favorite is your definition of "siguro":

<em>Siguro</em>

<em>(Originally: Seguro)</em>
<em>Tagalog:</em><em> maybe | </em><em>Spanish:</em><em> sure</em>

To which I say, "siguro."
February 5, 2020
1
Phil,

I know, right? That's so funny because their meanings are contradictory. And to add, <em>sure </em>in Tagalog is <em>sigurado</em>.
February 5, 2020
1
¿Qué tan similar es el tagalo con el español en realidad?
February 5, 2020
Phil,

No hablo Cebuano pero si, Cebuano tiene muchos palabras en Espanol.
February 5, 2020
Tengo entendido que el Cebuano tiene aún más en común con el español, pero usted no hablará Cebuano, ¿o sí?

February 5, 2020
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