Idioma'y Pangasinan: A Glossary of Pangasinan Idiomatic Expressions

Idioma'y Pangasinan: A Glossary of Pangasinan Idiomatic Expressions

Pangasinenses have particularly colorful everyday expressions. They tend to have precise words and expressions for certain concepts -- often with shades of meaning -- that other languages only have general terms for. 

Take, for example, the colloquial terms for crazy, which are quite a tongue-twisting mouthful typical of the language: kuwatit/nankuwatit, kuwating/nankuwating, katok/nangkatok, atapis/nantapis, atiris/nantiris, di-galing/wala'y galing-galing to, atiwel, ambagel...

The word malandi has a number of equally censorious, though mostly colloquial if not vulgar, synonyms: magantil, anggatel, garampingat/gumarampingat, sumayet, manjalteng, mankanyang, matetew (tetew refers to clitoris), magayar, gumarangandyang, mantulandit, talampyaw... Many terms have precise meanings that are hard to translate with just one or two equivalent word without losing the original sense. For example, mansalti, kumarakara, sangap-sangap, makaskasding, etc. imply lack of restraint if not absence of conscientiousness in words and deeds. 

Pangasinan poet Santiago Villafania affirms this tendency to have many variations, even adding that, after 'crazy,' the second word with the most number of synonyms and/or variants is 'tanul' or 'sound': for example, alaldis, alalbog, alaltog, alalsik, and that's just for letter A. Probably placing third are the verbs (action words) relating to movements, especially bodily punishments: dusa, banitog, bugbog, lewet, pasasiyok, bakbak, simbo-simbo, pekpek, pairap...

The same is true with terms of endearment (dayong, anako/nakong, etc.) and words for smelly (maangsit, maanglit, maablir, maaktot...). The list of words associated with native produce like rice, bamboo, and coconut is also considerably lengthy.

Pangasinan cultural researcher Ed Quiros once noted that locals have particular words for rain. He observed how the word is associated with adjectives, like maksil (strong) or makapoy/makalna (weak), and in central Pangasinan, there are specific terms for it: maya-maya (drizzle), tayaketek (light rain), or alimbusabos (thunderstorm). We might add to the list uran a libog-libog (sudden and particularly torrential rain which often causes flash floods), nepnep, nepnep na duweg, or uran na duweg (literally, carabao's rain or carabao's non-stop rain, meaning nonstop-rain that seems to drag its feet like a carabao and thus stays too long in the area), uran ya benger (rain that doesn't seem to stop), and siyam-siyam (seemingly endless, actually weeks-long, rain). Mayemyem and makâka-uran mean cloudy with a strong potential of rain. There's even the term, makakasinagem, to describe a weather (chilly, windy, with soft drizzling) that makes a lot of people sick. Associated terms include the oftentimes multisyllabic onomatopoeias: sapli, siplog, palayupoy, mapalpalna, mapalakapak, matalagutog, mapalagapag, makalarukor so tawen (the sky is quite thunderous), etc.

The Pangasinan language comes alive especially when it comes to idiomatic expressions, which are often marked with high hilarity. 

To review, idioms are words and phrases which have meanings that are often much different from their literal meaning. They are a fascinating feature of speech in that they spice up the language and always have interesting background stories. How each idiomatic expression came about and eventually put to common use needs careful research that it would be like digging into the place's history. 

Like synonyms, idioms are also indicative of a high level of development of a language. It means that, over time, the speakers of that language have evolved creative ways to refer to certain concepts that are often too complex for just a single word to describe.

Discovering the meaning of each idiom is fun in that it is revelatory: it never fails to show the distinctiveness of the local color, especially when the place was still young. The expressions indicate what things surrounded the local ancestors' daily lives, what they did for a living, what behavior they considered acceptable or unacceptable, what values they held dear, how peculiar their sense of humor was, and how they lived their life in general. 

One notable thing about local idioms is that they show the frankness of Pangasinenses, especially in matters sexual and physiological.

From a linguistic point of view, it can be readily noted that Pangasinenses are fond of similes (comparison of unlike things), metaphors (use of one thing to mean another thing), hyperboles (exaggerations, often hilarious), metonymies (use of a specific part of one thing to refer to the whole thing), and personifications (giving human-like attributes to inanimate objects).

One wonders how many of these idiomatic expressions that have been "bunga'y sangi" (literally, "fruit of the mouth") or traditionally often used in Pangasinan can still be heard being used these days.

Considering that there is variation in word preferences between speakers of the language (not dialect, please) in the northern, southern, eastern, western, and central parts of Pangasinan, we must be only scratching the surface with this list.  

A

Abaaw (has been cooked rice) - tawag ed sakey a getma o proyecto ya agga atuloy odino makapoy so nansumpalan to; tawag sa isang bagay na di natuloy o di maganda ang kinahantungan; a project was not pursued or ended up in a bad way 

Abalang so dila to (literally, his tongue got lost) - aga mansalita; tahimik; silent type

Abalang ya palya (lost bittermelon) - impa-ampon ed arom ya too; ipinaampon; adopted 

Abalbaleg a lebag (malaking pagtaas ng parang sa nilutong kanin; huge rise? as in cooked rice) - malastog; mayabang; boastful

Abaliw so lupa to. - literally: his face got fermented. (naburo ang kanyang mukha); a sour face, meaning dismayed look; adismaya; nadismaya

Abalkot ed ngiras (wrapped in laziness) - mangiras; tamad; lazy

Abangles so salita (words got spoiled) - walang tinupad sa sinabi; reneged on one's word; see synonym: Salita'y alabian

Abangles ya ilol (saliva that has turned sour) - tahimik; silent           

Abangles ya panangaro (spoiled love, love that turned sour or gone bad like rotten food) - aga nibesngaw ya panangaro; pagmamahal na di naipagtapat; love that was undeclared/unrevealed 

Abetelay utek to (his brain caught some chills) - atapis; baliw; crazy; syn.: Nagtela'y utek to (his brain turned cold)

Abong to la'y abong to (his house is his house) - laging nasa bahay; homebody            

Abutaw so kaldero (the rice pot got a hole) - naupot so niluto; naubos ang kanin; all of the rice have been eaten up

Adawdawit ya nan-almusal/nandem ed tawen (almost had breakfast/dinner in the sky/heaven) - kamuntik nang masagasaan, mabangga ng sasakyan, o mamatay; almost died from an accident/incident. Example: "Nimay lasi, adawdawit ya nandem ed tawen." "Nimay lasi, adawdawit ya angalmusal ed tawen." 

Agaylay kasil na kapoy mo. (Your weakness is so strong.) - Madali mo akong pakiusapan. I am easy to talk to.

Agco ibaliwan so agik/asawak/et al. (I won't wear mourning cloth for my sibling/spouse/etc.) - hindi ako papayag na mauwi sa pahamak ang aking kapatid/asawa/et al.; uttered whenever a loved one is in danger of being harmed by other people

Agko intilak sa paltak kod batalan mi! (I did not leave my balls in our bathroom!) - I will show you who the man of the house is!

Aga mamarigo, Lupay aga mamarigo - aga napantiwalaan; di mapagkakatiwalaan; can't be trusted

Ag nabuag na dueg (the carabao can't eat it) - ansakit ya panagsalita; masakit na pananalita; hurtful or offensive speech

Ag nabuwág na aso (a dog can't eat it) - masyadon maramsak a panagsalita; matinding pananalita, pagmumura, atbp.; hyper-violent speech; below-the-belt language

Ag ni anae maniilo la (haven't finished taking a dump yet and already wiping one's bottom) - di pa nagawa ang ibang kailangang gawin, pero tinatapos na ang trabaho, nagshoshortcut sa trabaho; taking a shortcut on the job

Aga akireman (hindi nakisapmatahan, did not occur even in the twinkling of an eye) - mabilis gumalaw, singbilis ng kisapmata; ultrafast

Aga makabini (di makabinhi; can't sow a seed) - di makahintay; can’t wait for one’s turn; very impatient

Agga makalarak (can't make coconut oil) - agga makaamot na sikreto ; di makatago ng sikreto; can't keep a secret

Aga makalimatay bakes - kamuno uran et wala kayod luganan aga nanengneng so kasabatan ed dalan; di makita sa labo; zero visibility

Aga manengsinglew (?) - agmanginenen, mapalabas

Aga manga'y baaw (Hindi kakain ng kanin. It won't eat rice.) - agmo pannunotan; 'di mo kailangang pag-isipan; you need not think hard on it. Ex.: Anto tan ya trabaho'y karpintero, aga manga'y baaw. Ano'ng klaseng trabaho ng karpentero yan. Ang dali-dali! What kind of carpentry work is that? It is too easy!) 

Agga mangiter na punget (won't give a __?) - agga patalo ed sangsangan o debate; di magpapatalo sa debate; won't allow you to win in a debate

Aga nabilang na gamet (can't be counted with one's fingers) - di mabilang; innumerable

Aga nabwag na baboy (di makain ng baboy; the pig can't eat it) - di katangap-tanggap na salita; unacceptable words

Aga naaknit so linggis to. - literally: his/her gaze can't ___?; The eyes are focused on her/him. Sara'y mata wala'd sikaton lanang. Ang mga mata ay laging nakatingin sa kanya.

Aga nadrowing so lupa (di maiguhit ang mukha; can't draw the face) - mansibangot; nakasimangot; frowning

Aga nagugo'y anggatel (can't scratch the itchy body parts) - agla makanonot ed karakel na kimey to, agto la anta so gawaen/unaen to'd karakel na trabaho o kimey to; sobrang daming gawain; has too much work in one's hands, work is up to here

Aga nakemel (can't be grasped like slimy catfish/mudfish) - mairap ya talusan o aralem sa kabaliksan to; mahirap maarok; hard to fathom 

Aga nalukso’y duweg (a carabao can't jump over it) - pinasya; ginalingan?; pulled out all stops

Aga nalukso'y duweg (a carabao can't leap over it.) - matao, mataas; many/crowded; too high to hurdle

Aga nalukso'y kabayo (a horse can't jump over it) - gabundok na kanin o pagkain sa plato; has too much rice  or food on the plate; syn: Ag nalugtot na kabayo - no dakel so inaklom ya baaw ed platom

Aga nalukso’y pusa (a cat can't leap over it) - abunton so nansabitan to, masiba; matakaw; voracious

Aga napaktaka'y dagom (you can't drop a needle in it) - sobrang dami; too crowded or numerous  

Aga/Agla natikyab na uwak (a crow can't fly over it) - maluwag o baleg ya dalin o uma; maluwag na bukid o lupain; very wide farm or land

Aga natukor so danom (you can't dip a cane in the water) - malalim (ang tubig); the water (or something figurative) is deep

Aga unkurakurap (not batting an eyelash) - matigas sa kanyang desisyon; standing by his word, undeterred

Agabangatan (short for “Aga abangatan,” literally, haven't been taught good manners [by one's parents]) - pilyo; naughty, playful; also used as a mild word of reprimand 

Agew toy labi. (His night is day to him.) - toon nanaugip na agew pero manbangon na labi; gising pag gabi; night owl, insomniac 

Agka la akilem! (how come the edge of your teeth is not in pain?; di ka na nangilo!) - di ka na nahiya; how dare you! or how come you are not ashamed of bragging?

Agmo ikda'y punget (Don't give a node.) - Don't give an inch (lest he asks for a mile). Agmo ikday punget tapiano aga nalamlaman. (Huwag mong pagbigyan para hindi siya mamihasa.) Note: Pungët - buko, nansuldungan na alwas na kawayan odino saray gamët; node

Agmo iyuulo ('Di mo inuulo. You're not head-ing it.) - di sinasaulo o sinasapuso, o di mo tinatandaan; you're not remembering it or putting due importance to it

Agmo napaakis (di mo mapaiyak; can't make him cry) - aga makapangilaem, aga napanlibre; can't be bothered to set aside your portion or give a free treat

Aga nilabas ed trapik (not qualified to pass through traffic lights) - if either the suitor or the object of his suit did not quailfy for approval by the standards of those times

Agew kwanto no agew, labi kwanto no labi. (Says 'day' when it is day, 'night' when it is night.) - aliwan mareklamo; hindi mareklamo; meek, does not complain much

Agka mibabalaok no wala'y pantutungtungan. - literally: Don't meddle with the ladle when others are discussing something. (Huwag maki-siyansi kung may pinag-uusapan.); Never interfere when [others are] discussing something.

Agla napantooy abong (cannot be left to watch the house anymore) - an old person who has lost all sense of responsibility and is practically useless around the house 

Agto amtay mananap na asin (does not know how to look for salt) - does not know how to make a living

Agto anta so angob na saleng (doesn't know the smell of pine wood kindling) - agto amta ya aloko la manaya; hindi alam na naloko na pala; is not aware that he has been hoodwinked; gullible

Agto nabitla'y agat (can’t pronounce 'ginger'; di masambit ang 'luya') - Agto nibaga so panangaro to'd kakarawen to ed masyadon inkabaing to. Di mabigkas ang nais sabihin sa minamahal dahil sa sobrang torpe o mahiyain. When a man is courting a woman, he can’t express his love to the girl out of being extremely shy.

Agto nagatgat so agat (can't chew ginger) - makapoy so ulo to; mahina ang ulo unintelligent, dumb; Example: "Si Pedro, agto nagatgat so agat." ("Pedro can't chew ginger.")

Akaakmon na pakwan (swallowed a watermelon whole) - buntis; pregnant

Akaasol (nakaigib ng tubig; was able to fetch or drink in water) - natuto o may natutunang aral; was able to absorb something; Example: Salamat ta akaasol ak na balon kakabatan! (Thank you for I was able to discover or learn something new.)    

(Singa) Aka-akmo'y gigang (has swallowed a spider) - talks in an unclear or confusing way; syn.: Akapanga'y sanggi (has just eaten [an especially itchy insect]) - can't talk properly out of mild shock or confusion; syn: Akapangay amimilat (has eaten aphids) - aga makaebat o makasalita; di makasagot o makapagsalita; can't talk, became mum

Akagatin na t*e (stepped on poop) - mankitley; naglalakad na parang pilay; walks with a limp

Akar bakokol (snail's walk) - kereg-kereg; usad pagong; painfully slow

Akasaral (able to lean back on someone) - to find oneself in good fortune (as in marrying up the social ladder) 

Akasuso (nakasuso; the one sucking at the mother's breast) - akatawir, nakamana, the one who takes after or has inherited a trait; Example: Sikato so akasuso ed si ina to. (Sikato so akatawir ed si ina to. Siya ang nagmana sa Nanay niya. He was the one who took after his mother.)

Akatekmel na patang (grasped a frog) - nadapa; had a fall   

Akauley lay Vicenten dakmeg/dapmeg (It's all up to Vincent-who-hits-from-the-back now) - the local equivalent of "Come what may" or "Bahala na si Batman" when faced with a helpless situation, as for example, when someone talks badly about you when you are not around or present; kahawig ng kahulugan ng "Bahala na si Batman"; halimbawa ng gamit ay kung sinaksak ka ng patalikod at walang magawa

Aketket na duweg (bitten by a carabao) - nandaiset 

Akulaw la (already an old woman) - matanda na; already old; uttered by men to refer to themselves even if they are male, for example, when they betray their age. Example: "Ay agi, alingwanan kon ibagad sika, akulaw ak lan talaga." (Oh, jeez, I forgot to tell it to you. I am really old now.)

Alaldis (struck or stricken with such ferocity or accuracy) - diretso sa punto; straight, direct to the point

Alamatan, Wala'y lamat na ulo to - crazy 

Alauka'y t*e (like sh*t suddenly got mixed with it) - yung biglang nasira ang seryosong usapan sa pagpasok ng isang panira sa usapan (maaaring komiko na karakter); refers to a conversation that is ruined with the arrival of an interloper

Alay lemek na puso to (his heart is so soft) - makasi; maawain; merciful

Aliling to'y manok ya talin (like a chicken that's paakar in Pangasinan or layas ng layas in Tagalog, meaning always going out somewhere) - agto anta'y manpatanir; hindi marunong magpaalam; doesn't know how to bid goodbye; Example: "Si kuyam Pedro, alileng toy manok ya talin." (Si Pedro no umalis ed abong odino walay laen ton arom ya lugar, agto amtay manpatanir.)

Aliston kapa-kapa - mansalti; alisto pero mali-mali naman (alert but ends up with lots of blunder)

Aliwan kanayon ed baaw (not a relative based on rice) - angapo'y arom; walang iba sa amin/malapit na kamag-anak; a close relative; Ex.: Aliwa ki met ya kankanayon ed baaw. (Hindi na kayo naiba sa amin. It's not like you're a distant relation.) 

Aliwan mais-mais (not just corn-corn) - hindi mani-mani lang, hindi madali?, hindi basta-basta; not just any [thing]; Example: "Ayan kapinsan ko, aliwan mais-mais." (This cousin of mine is not just any cousin.)

Aliwa'y aral to, Anggapo'y aral to (he's miseducated, he has not learned anything) - local version of 'walang pinag-aralan'; stubborn, hard-headed

Aluto (ripe) or aluto-luto (very ripe) - meaning well-formed or handsome/pretty/beautiful. Example: aluto-luton ugaw (a very beautiful child) 

Amagaan (dried up) - presumptuous; Example: "Ay agi, amagaan ya linmad diyan kerew-kerew anta masibisiblet."

Amagaa'y binuti (the one that was pried open dried out) - mataytayam ya ungalaw; mabagal kumilos; slow-moving 

Amagamaga so panagbilay (life is so dry) - aga problema’y kuwarta; di problema ang pera; money is not a problem

Amaga-magay lupa to (His face is so dry.) - walang ekspresyon sa mukha habang nagsasalita, yun pala'y nagbibiro na; has deadpan facial expression especially when cracking a joke. "Amaga-magay lupa ton man iistorya, anta manaya mangagalaw la."

Ambasa'y ebet, Ambasa'y tumbong (wet bottom) - ag makaparlang; di makapagningas; someone who can't start a fire

Ambasa'y sungot to (his mouth is wet) - magantil ya mansalita; bastos o mahalay magsalita; talks in a lewd or flirty way  

Ambelat ebet (heavy butt) - mangiras, managgangan labat; tamad, mahilig lang mag-utos; lazy, all he does is tell others what to do

Ambelat so lima (hand is heavy) - masakit/malakas manghampas; hurts when hits something with his hand; particularly refers to a doctor whose hands hurt during a medical procedure like injection or tooth extraction

Ambelat ya mangawit na kawes (carries clothes heavily) - maporma; fashionably stylish          

Ambelat ya mansalita (talks heavy) - speaking with big words 

Ambelat ya too (heavy person) -  a person of honor and distinction, a highly placed person

Ambetebetel so boses to (he's got a cool voice) - magaling kumanta; he's good at singing

Ambete-betel so dalikan (the clay stove is so cold) - walang kaprepara-preparasyon; no preparation at all

Ambon (gang up) - pagtulung-tulungan; exert combined effort/strength; Ex. Ambon yo la ta'y trabaho. (Get it done by working together as one.)

Amin a sukong (lahat ng kanto; all corners) -  lahat na lang ng lugar; an exaggeration to refer to one thing's ubiquity. Example: Anto la ya, nanpalesan lan amin ya sukong! (Sigh, the clothes you have worn are lying all around here!) 

Ampetang so ebet (one's bottom is hot) - ag makareen; di mapakali; can't stay in one place

Ampetang so sangim (you have a hot mouth) - madalas magkatotoo ang sinasabi, kapag sinabi niya, mangyayari; a more negative connotation of "Magdilang anghel"; what he says ominously turns out to be true; synonyms: anagasang ya impandila, maasin so dila, madeta so dila, nandagom so sangim

Ampetang so lima, Ampetang ya lima (hot hand) - aga makatanem, aga makabilay na tanaman; di makabuhay ng halaman; can't keep a plant alive no matter what he does

Amputin buldot (white pubic hair) - matakken ya bii ya akiasawa ed laki ya ugaw nen say sikato; an old lady who has a young guy for a spouse

Amputi'y layag, Amputi layag (white-eared) - allegedly refers to the people of San Carlos City: mahilig a misebeg; pala-away; war freak; other claims: it refers to San Carlos City residents of old who happened to wear long hair or wide-brimmed hats, thus making their ears pale in color

Anak na kutsara (child of spoon) - masiba; malakas kumain; voracious

Anak na lasi (originally from nakna'y lasi, hit by thunder, but evolved to literally mean son of thunder) - 1. makalasyan; walang ginawang magaling, tinamaan ng magaling; up to no good; 2. originally means hit by bad luck, but has come to be used as a mild expletive: Anac la asi kan ogaw! (Tinamaan ng lintik kang bata ka! You are a pain the neck!)

Anawet so ulot to; Anaw-awet so ulo (matigas ang ulo niya; hard-headed) - refers to someone who is stubbor or whose ways are difficult to change

Anawnawet so bikking (ang tigas ng paa; having such hard feet) - when praised and the person being praised is sort of proud

Andeket so ngares to (his gum is black) - ibalo toy asawa to; magiging balo ang kanyang asawa; will turn his/her spouse widower/widow

Andukey so dila (tongue is long) - malabir; talkative

Andukey so gamet (finger is long) - maremet na agto kayarian; nangunguha ng hindi sa kanya; takes what is not his 

Andukey so kalbaryo to - literally: his calvary is long (ang haba ng kalbaryo niya); long penitence; andokdokey so pasensiya to; ang haba ng pisi o pasensya niya

Andukey so koldon - maanos, andukey so pasensya; hindi pikon, mahinahon, mapagpasensya; patient, or not easily piqued or offended

Andukey so lima (hand is long) - mariwit, matakew; magnanakaw; stealer

Andukey so salim (your foot is long) - abanaan to’y panangan; naka-timing sa kainan; came at a feast by chance

Andokey so sintron to. (His belt is long) - aga misiosiodot, mapasensiya; mapagpasensya; patient

Andukey ya beklew (long neck) - kumokopya; copying during exams

Andukey ya ikol (long tail) - aliwan misyosyodot; patient

Andukey ya lamesaan (long table) - bansal/kasal; wedding

Andukey ya lima (long hand) - matakew, magawet, aga napanpiyaan; magnanakaw, di mapagkakatiwalaan; thief, can't be trusted 

Anengneng la'y kamarerwa to (his/her soul is already visible) - ngalngali la labos ed sulong to; kita na ang lahat-lahat niya sa suot niya, wala nang maitago; his/her skimpy attire leaves nothing to the imagination

Angasawan kapispitak (married with nothing but his trousers on) - to settle down with nothing 

Angob lay dalin (amoy lupa na; smells like soil) - tuon matakken la; matanda na; old person 

Anggale-gales (a term used to refer to camote, e.g., that has more of a slippery consistency than a sticky one) - magandang dilag; used to describe an attractive/desirable woman

Anggan wala kad akwalan nen inam, sukiten taka. (Even though you are on your mother's lap, I will come pick you with a stick.) - Agto ka niagel nen inam ed pasnok ko. Even your mother can't protect you from my anger. 

Anggapo’y kaasi-asin mo (you don't have an iota of salt in you) - walang respeto; disrespectful

Anggapo'y nibantak (walang tapon) - maganan amin; lahat maganda; they are all beautiful. Example: Amin ya kandidato'y Bb. Bayambang, anggapo'y nibantak.

Anggapo'y preno na sangi to (his mouth has no brake) - malabir; uncontrollably talkative; Anggapoy preno'y sungot to. (His mouth has no brake) - malabir; taklesa; motormouth

Anggate-gatel (so itchy) - malandi; flirtatious

Anggatel a impanlima (itchy hands) - kumukuha ng hindi kanya; thief

Anggatel so dilam (your tongue is itchy) - refers to a person who talks too much and spreads gossip

Anggatel so sali (feet are itchy) - gustong gumala; wants to go out; Anggatel so sali to (his feet are itchy) - paakar; layas; fond of going out

Angob dalin (smells like soil) - matanda na; already old; syn: Asinger lad abot

Angob-angob ed balaok (smelling the ladle) - aga aka-abot ed panangan; didn't get in time for the feast

Ansakit so linawa (one's consciousness hurts) - ambelat ed pagew; mabigat sa dibdib; heavy on the heart or conscience; syn.: Mairap ed linawa (it is hard on the consciousness) - masakit sa kalooban o hindi matanggap; it is hard to accept

Ansaksakket so linggis (malagkit ang tingin; having a sticky in-a-glutinous-rice-kind-of-way gaze) - malagkit na tingin; enticing, seductive look

Antikey so koldon to (his shoelace is short; maiksi ang kurdon) - mainumay ya unsiodot; antikey so pasensiya to, aga makaanos tan maganganon unsabo'y dala to; madaling mainis, pikon; impatient, easily gets upset or irked, touchy, has a short fuse; Apatikey to'y kuldon to (had his/her shoelaces short) - madaling napikon; got easily irritated/impatient

Antikey so pantalon to. Amay toon atrasadon sinmabi ed panangan kanyan nauputan na naakan.

Antikey so sali to (his feet are short) - aga akaabet ed ponsya/panangan; mabagal kaya naubusan ng pagkain; was unable to catch the feast

Antikey so sinturon to (his belt is short) - masinti, paweg, anggapo'y pasensya; madaling mainsulto o mainis, walang pasensya, maiksi ang pisi; easily offended, short fuse, impatient

Apaktaka’y sapata (shoes fell upon him) - apalsaan, atetel; napagbintangan; got falsely accused

Apataa'y lurem (hit by a cloud) - ambagel, makulang-kulang; baliw; crazy; synonyms: Di-galing, Wala'y galing-galing to (has magical powers?); Wala'y banting to, Nankuriring, Wala'y kring-kring/Wala'y kuliling, Nankuliling/kililing/tililing/kularing (has a ringing bell); Nipatog ed bulan, Apatogan na bulan (got bumped at/by the moon); Kulang na bulan (lacks some months); Kulang-kulang (is lacking); Nandaiset/wala'y daiset to (has a little something); Asipeg (nahagip, got bumped); Linmukak so tornilyo to (lumuwag ang turnilyo, has loose screws); Kulang na binting, Diya'd piso kulang na binting (lacks 25 centavos); Wala'y sagar (may sayad; has ___?); Di latlata (has tin cans?); Aketket na duweg (bitten by a carabao); Apisit (squished); Makakaimis ya singa bakes (smiling like a monkey); Nagtela'y utek to (his brain turned cold); Abetelay utek to, Nagtelay utek to (his brain caught some chills)

Apatiran mata (four-eyed) - malabo ang mata; blurry-eyed 

Aperper la'y dalan (the road got pounded) - got too slow

Apesak to'y pesel to (has washed his satiety?) - inyaryar to'y panangan ton agnasabsabaan; itinodo ang paglamon; ate ravenously to bursting point

Apigar lay bulsak (My pocket has been turned inside out.) - Naupot lay kuwartak.; Ubos na ang pera ko.; All my money have been spent.

Apigar so kaldero (the rice kettle tumbled over) - anggapo’y baaw ta naupot; naubos ang kanin; the steamed rice was all eaten up

Apirdin niluto (wasted rice) - nasayang na pagkababae, buhay, oportunidad, atbp; wasted womanhood, life, opportunity, etc.

Apis na laman (body cover) - anting-anting; talisman

Aputer, Aputer a laki (broken, broken man) - bakla; gay guy

Aputer so aklo (naputol ang sandok; the ladle [flat wooden ladle for rice] got broken) - naupot so inluton niluto; ubos ang nilutong kanin; the cooked rice all got eaten up

Aputer so lima (hand is broken) - magsasaka; farmer

Apuulan so Dagupan (Dagupan has been razed by fire.) - simot ang pagkain; the food was gobbled up down to the last bit

Apuyat ya bakes (a monkey that lacked sleep or was unable to sleep well) - pangit; ugly

Arageman so utek to (his brain was blown by wind) - sira-ulo; crazy

Aralem so bulsa to. (His pocket is deep.) - mahina sa bayaran; a bad borrower

Aralem so bulsa (has a deep pocket) - maigot; matipid o kuripot; Example: Ayan too et aralem so bulsa to. (This person has a deep pocket.) - This person is thrifty (or stingy).

Aralem ya impanbulsa, Aralem so bulsa to (has a deep pocket; deep-pocketed) - kuripot; stingy 

Aralem ya mansalita (malalim magsalita, speaks deeply) - speaks profoundly 

Arawi'd kusina (malayo sa kusina, far from the kitchen) - arawi'd totoon malakas o akapuwesto; malayo sa kung saan naroon ang mga may kapangyarihan o mga kaganapan; away from the center of power or center of attention/action 

Arawi'd pait (far from the gut) - gasgas labat tan aliwan delikado ya sugat; gasgas lang; minor injury

Arawi’d patugan (malayo sa umpugan ng ulo, far from where you get your head bumped) – hindi malapit sa mga taong nabanggit, o nasa may kalayuan; not close to the people being referred to, or simply being far away. Example: Antoy balita? Angapo'y nasasagap ko ta arawi ak ed patugan. (Anong balita? Wala kasi ako nasasagap dahil malayo ako sa sentro ng aksyon./Hey what’s up? I don’t know anything because I have been quite out of the loop lately.); syn.: Arawi'd kusina

Araw-rawin dalin, Arawin dalin (faraway land) - ang layo naman ng tinutukoy mo (na bagay o konsepto kumpara dito)!; not by a long shot; Ex.: Araw-rawin dalin met so ebat mo ed tepet ko! (Ang layu-layo naman ng sagot mo sa tanong ko!/You're answer to my question is such a long shot!) 

Aroa’y pato (the way ducks love) -  aroan, nagunoyan kulkolan, insan aroan lamet; away-bati; love-hate relationship

Aro'y bakes (monkey love) - aga napampyaan ya panangaro; salawahang puso; unreliable or changeable love

Asasnit (scorched) - biglan abalang; biglang naglaho/nawala; hastily gone

Asibok (puffed up) - malastog ya mansalita, mapasirayew, matog-makok (slang combining malastog and malakok); mapagmayabang; full of oneself, braggart; syn.: Maragem - malastog, mapasirayew           

Asibukan na maoges a dagem (naihipan ng masamang hangin; got blown by a bad wind) - gone crazy

Asingger ed patugan (near where heads bump) - close to the source

Asingger la'y abet (malapit na ang sundo; the one fetching is coming soon) - malapit na ang kamatayan; death is inevitable    

Asingger tilan makailop na digo. (Malapit na tayong makahigop ng sabaw.) - Malapit na siyang ikasal at makakasama tayo sa hapag-kainan sa araw ng kasal; synonyms: Makakkabawang la; Natabaan lamet so bibil; Wala'y andukey ya lamisaan

Asipeg (got bumped) - may sayad ang utak; crazy

Asiploga'y mauges ya dagem (naihipan ng masamang hangin; got blown by a bad wind) - namatay bigla, naatake sa puso, na-stroke; died suddenly due to heart attack, stroke, etc. 

Aso-aso (doggie-doggie) - saling-pusa; an extra (in a game or any activity)

Aso nen Santo Domingo (dog of Saint Dominic) - "one who doggedly follows every step of a woman wherever she goes"

Asumpal lay misa (tapos na ang misa; the mass is finished) - no mariket, impakerew to la, anggapo ni'y kasal ya agawa, naibong laingey digo; the maiden has surrendered her all (virginity) even before marriage  

Atabaay lima to, Atabaay sungot to. (His hand/lips is oily or has caught fat.) - Akapangan lalamet na masamsasamit. Akapangan ed ponsyaan.  

Atabunan la'y ____ (got heaped upon with ____) - agayla'y bayag to; ang tagal; taking too long. Example: Someone orders Coke and it takes so much time... Akin, atabunan ka la'y Coke? (Hey, have you got drowned in Coke?)

Atagey so kiking (ang taas ng hinliliit; his pinkie is raised high) - mapagmataas/matapobre; arrogant

Atagey so paltik to (maatas ang paltik; his (sling)shot is high) - malastog, ataguey so pakanengneng tod sikaton dili, us-usdongan toy kapara ton tuo; mataas ang ihi, mayabang; boastful, prideful

Atagey so pokokan to "(perched on a high tree) - if a girl being courted belongs to a higher social bracket than her suitor and she is disdainful"

Atagey so sirit to (mataas ang ihi; his piss is too high) - ma-pride; prideful

Atagey so tikyab (matayog ang lipad; high-flyer) - masyadong mataas ang pangarap o tingin sa sarili; dreaming of things too great or too big for oneself 

Ateraka'y karol (a thunder crushed in it) - akirmatan; tinamaan ng kidlat; struck by lightning

Awet (tough) - kuripot; stingy

Ayaman to'y dalan (laging nasa daan; always on the road) - layas, laging umaalis; always on the go, or always on travel

 

B

Baaw (kanin, steamed rice) - used in different ways: Ginawam ya baaw - pinapak ang ulam/pulutan; cf.: Agmo babaawen - huwag seryosohin

 

Babantayan to'y bulan (watching the moon) - nakatulala; dumbstruck         

Bakbak ed kabayo, batil ed duweg (palo sa kabayo, pasâ sa kalabaw) - pasaring na pananalita o kaya'y nagpaparinig 

Bakes; Bakes ka? (Unggoy!; Unggoy ka?; Monkey!; Are you a monkey?) - ekspresyong gamit upang pagsabihan ang kabataan na bastos, hindi nagmamano, dumadaan sa harap ng mga matatanda na nag-uusap nang walang "Excuse me!"; an expression used against a child who gives no reverence to elders

Balbaleg so ulom (You're swell-headed.) - malastog ka; mayabang ka; you are boastful

Balbaleg ya t*e  (malaking t*e; very big sh*t) - tuon angapoy kakanaan to; may malaking katawan ngunit walang silbi; big but useless fellow   

Bali-bali'y aroan da (they have beautiful loving relationship) - maayos ang pakikisama nila sa isa't-isa; they have good relationship 

Balitok ya impan-utek (golden brain) - matalino; intelligent

Banbantayan ko'y labi, Binantayan ko'y labi (I have been watching the night; I watched the night/kept vigil during the night.) - aga akaugip, apuyat; di ako nakatulog, napuyat ako; was unable to sleep, lacked sleep

Bangar, Benger (beneg na barang, opposite na tarem, agga makasigbat) - mairap ya igangan (singa beneg na barang ya agga unpakan anggan maminpiga-pigam ya isigbat); di mautusan, matigas ang ulo; hard-headed, insensitive, dumb and useless.

Bangaw (from the Tagalog for blowfly?) - one who is always present during celebrations or gatherings that involve food; usually this person looks for one where he could eat for free. Ex.: Galila ta mi-bangaw tayo'd kakaabay. (Roughly: Let's go have free lunch at our neighbor's house.)

Basbastos ya laman (ang bastos na katawan; so rude a body) - matabataba; ang taba; obese

Belasan (bigasan, rice dispenser) - palabigasan; cash cow, a source of money, food, etc, by an uncaring boyfriend or partner

Bibitsinay sungot (his mouth should be drizzled with MSG) - anggapoy dayew to; walang masabi na maganda; has nothing good to say?; syn.: anggapoy ka asin-asin to

Binmaleg so olo to (lumaki ang ulo; his head has swollen) - linmastog; naging mayabang; has become prideful

Binmuenlag ed layag (humarang ng pahalang sa tenga; the ears are blocked horizontally) - something heard which can cause one to react violently 

Binuti’y ebet, Batik binuti’y ebet (takbong nakabuka ang puwit; running with one's bottom stretched apart) - mansasweng ya batik, mabilis tumakbo; speedy run; Binuti ebet - voracious eater. Example: No mamangan tan ya too, binuti ebet.

Biyek taew (kabilang bukid; farm on the other side) - kabila, kabilang bakod; on the other side of the fence

Bosis na ageyet "(voice of a mosquito) - a very soft voice"

Bugkalot - aga amta no siopa'y ateng to, odino amayamay so nagmaliw ya partner nen ina to kanyan agla natonton no siopa so tunay ya ama to, odino aga abinyagan; tawag sa isang tao pag di alam o di sigurado ang magulang, o di binyagan; refers to someone whose parents are unknown or uncertain, unbaptized

Bulsa ya abutaw (butas na bulsa; pocket with a hole) - walang pera; refers to a person who doesn’t have money

Bunga'y sangi (fruit of the mouth) - laging sinasabi, bukambibig; popular expression

Buwaya (crocodile) - gahaman; greedy

 

D

Di alkansya'y bikking (one's legs have a piggy bank) - maraming peklat ang binti; one's legs have many scars

Di bato'y duweg (has a carabao's kidneys) - refers to a person who eats a lot

Di galing, De galing (may agimat; has an amulet) - atiris; baliw; crazy

Digoy sankakanayon (kinsmen's broth) - alawanay karakel na digo na pising o sira; sobrang daming sabaw ng ulam; dish has too much broth

Dika'y dalan (damo sa daan; grass on the road) - istambay sa kanto; street bum

Dinalan na bagyo (a typhoon hit it) - atalangkab, o naupot so mayamay ya panangan; messy, or food that was eaten up fast

Dinilakotay baka (a cow licked it) -  agaylay simpit na impansagaysay toy buek to; sobrang ayos ng pagkakasuklay ng buhok; combed his hair so neatly

Doro-doro’y tawen (pointing to? heaven) - matangkad na tao; towering man; syn.: Durarol na tawen (? of heaven) - langkaway, ataguey ya tuo

Drowing ka lalamet (drawing ka na naman; you're a drawing again) - an expression used against  someone who says yes when invited to an event but does not show up

Dukol-dukol ed inawa (lying in comfort) - resting in one's riches

Dumalagan siwsiwan (young female chick) - marikit a nananak; dalagang nanganak; a lady who gives birth while still single

 

E

Eletay sintron (tighten the belt) - lessen the expenses if the budget is not enough. Example: Kailangan ya eletay sintron no tiempoy gawat ta umbawi lad panag-ani. 

Esaes na karol (whisper of thunder) - a booming voice

Esaes toy karol (Thunder is just whisper to him/her.) -  telek; bingi; deaf 

 

G

Gaer (latak; dregs) - bunso; youngest child

Gawa yo (yours; sa inyo) - refers to one's genitals; Example: Ni, nanengneng la ta'y gawa yo! (Hey, lady, look, your slip is showing!)  

Gawat, Tiyempoy gawat (time of reaching out your hands?) - lean times, a time when one's earning or income is very low 

Gerger mo'y awak ko ta baleg nen say beklew ko (hack off my waist because it is bigger than my neck) - imposible o ag nagawaan; impossible or can't be done

 

I

Iketket ed bibil (ikagat sa labi; bite one's lips) - tumahimik na lang at tiisin ang sama ng loob sa halip na sabihin ito sa taong nakasakit; to keep mum through an offense made on one's person

Inbeel toy paltak to (Ibinuhol niya ang kanyang bayag. He tied up his scrotum.) - laki ya binmatik ta tinmakot; lalaking tumakbo palayo sa takot; coward a guy who ran away in fear 

Immapayas ya lupa, Inmapayas ya lupa (papaya-faced) - babalu; long-chinned; can also mean nicely shaped face

Impaduweg ya trabaho (like a carabao's work) - refers to a person who spends a lot of time working

Impakutimeg to (?) - ag balot unggalaw ed panggagangan mo; ayaw gumalaw pag inutusan; won't move one bit to work as told

Impanmatay kulayot (owl-eyed) - muldagat; malaki ang mata; big-eyed

Imprenda to la'y dalin to (she pawned his land) - inter to'y inkabii to, aki-sex, aliwa lan virgin; isinuko na ang Bataan/pagkababae; she gave up her virginity

Inabet ed sangi'y buwaya, Abet-abet ed sangi’y buaya (was met at the crocodile's mouth) - dagdawit; muntik na; by the skin of one's teeth

Inapuna'y kitat (possessed by a frog [a local species of frog that bloats its stomach when touched]) - magulo; unruly, uncontrollable, excessively playful

Inatey so angabil. (The one who hurt someone was the one who died.) - makapkapoy; nanghihina; feeling weak; Inatey so angabil (the one who hit you died) - akarma, bimmaliktad so posisyon to; nakarma o nabaliktad ang kapalaran; met a bad fate; The one who intended evil was the one who got hurt. 

Inatey ya kwarta (dead money) - refers to money spent for something that depreciates like cheap furniture or house instead of invested in an enterprise to gain more money

In-garahe (kept in the garage) - itinabi; set aside or 'parked' because it is no longer useful. Example: In-garahek la'y panagsulat ko ta agko la naarap. (I have kept my writing ability in the garage because I am already busy.)

Inibong to'y digo (He/she spilled the broth.) - guminhawa na, napakawalan pa ang swerte; refers to lost opportunity; also, unintentionally revealed something confidential (spilled the beans)

Inkutikot ed tumbong (stuck a finger searchingly in one's anus) - agto inenen so inbagam; sadyang kinalimutan ang iyong ibinilin; willfully forgot or failed to give importance to your advice, doesn't obey a command. Example: Amin ya ingangan kod sikato inkotikot tod tombong to. 

Inlako to la'y dalin too. (She has already sold her land.) - alukonan la no mikasal; equivalent of "Isinuko na niya ang Bataan." "She has lost her virginity." 

Inlambong da ed botaw ya banga (boiled in a claypot with a hole) - nilastugan da; pinayabangan siya; got bragged upon

Inmaltey (naging parang matigas na atay; turned livery/liver-like in hardness) - not fluffy, like the consistency of the kutsinta rice cake

Inmawe-awet (tumigas ng todo; hardened to the extreme) - matigas, matibay; hard to convince otherwise, die-hard

Inmawet so bikking (tumigas ang binti; the legs stiffened) - ipinagmamalaki; feeling proud; Example: "Nen anengneng ko'y anako'd TV, inmawet met so bikking ko." (When I saw that my child was on TV, I felt proud.)  

Inpalansiw so takayan - a term used to refer to a time where no member of the family is left behind in the house because everbody went to the feast; no walay ponsyaan, onla amin so miyembro na pamilya 

Inakdolay akulaw (an old woman slept with him) - nankawes na apigar; nagdamit ng baliktad; wore something in reverse; syn.: Inusilay masiken (an old man ran after him) 

Inusilay masiken (an old man ran after him)  - - nankawes na apigar; nagdamit ng baliktad; wore something in reverse; syn.: Inakdolay akulaw (an old woman slept with him)

Inyanak ya maeta (born raw or uncooked) - pinanganak na pangit; born ugly. Example: Aliwa ak met ya inyanak ya maeta. Akin et agto ak papansin ey? (I'm sure I wasn't born ugly. Then why the heck isn't she taking notice of me?); the opposite of maeta is, of course, aluto (ripe) or aluto-luto (very ripe), meaning well-formed or handsome/pretty/beautiful. Example: aluto-luton ugaw (a very beautiful child)

Inyupot to'y pinanpisingan to (exhausted his or her source of vegetables) - ginawa toy anggaay nayarian to; ginawa ang lahat ng makakaya (halimbawa: tinodo ang handaan, ibinuhos na ang lahat ng pera at resources para sa engrandeng okasyon o handaan); pulled out all the stops: spared nothing and threw all efforts and resources behind a cause (as in a grand occasion) 

Ipainawam (Magpahinga ka.; Take some rest.) - a new expression which is an irate comeback equivalent to "shut up" and "my face."

Ipaksiwan day takayan. (They will have to pull the stairs up for it.) - Amin ya tood abong onla. Lahat ng miyembro ng pamilya dadayo (sa kasalan, binyag, atbp.). All members of the family will attend (as in a major feast). Example: Diad barrion atan, agi no walay poncia, ipaksiwan day takayan! 

Itangay ed tawen (itaas ang noo sa langit; lift one's head up to the heavens) - used when one is offended but doesn't plan to retaliate; leave it to God; syn.: Iketket la ed bibil (just bite one's lips) - tiisin na lang; let it go

Itat*e-t*em so ibabaga (you are just pooping what I am telling you) - di nakikinig sa sinasabi; not paying attention or not giving due respect to what someone is saying

Itdan mo ra'y katat*e (give them something with sh*t?) - gawan sila ng isang bagay na kagilagilalas sa kanila; show them something that will amaze them. Example: Diad anniversary tayo, ta doctorate degree-holder ka, itdan mo ra'y speech ya katat*e met ah! (On our anniversary celebration, since you're a doctorate degree-holder, give them a speech that will blow them away!)  

Ititilak toy paltak tod batalan da. (He leaves his balls in their bathroom.) - coward

K

Kabayo (horse) - breadwinner; Example: Sikatoy kabayo na pamilya. The person is the workhorse or the breadwinner of the family.

Kakablit (makalabit?, kalabitin?; fond of poking or being poked?) - maanak/magano to’y manlukon; buntisin, madaling mabuntis; easily gets pregnant 

Kalasian - male sex organ Example: Asikaso yo'y galaw yo. Nasisipa yo'y kalasian ko.; other usages: Atan ya ugaw makalasian. (That kid is naughty.) Ananggan kay kalasian. (You are full of naughtiness.)

Kalima-lima, Kabao-bao, Kapalpaltak,  ([dumating na] tanging kamay/k*ki/b*yag lang ang dala; [showing up] carrying just his hands/private parts) - walang kadala-dala sa isang okasyong obligadong magdala, wala man lang pasalubong, o walang-wala; coming in empty-handed even when expected or obliged to bring something useful, or having nothing at all. Example: Ag cayo mangaasawa no kapalpaltak kayo. (Don't enter into married life when all you have is your balls.)

Kalkalnaa'y dalan (dadahin-dahanin na ang daan; slowly ease one's way to the road) - o, malapit na akong umuwi ha; parting shot signaling to go ahead and go home

Kampanad katakelan (bell in the forest) - voice of a termagant woman

Kamurikat na agew (pagmulagat ng araw; when the sun opens its eyes) - palbangon; madaling araw; dawn

Kandingot (goat-like; a pun that mashes up kanding [goat] and dingot [dirt]) - marumi; dirty

Kape ed kabayaoasan (coffee in the guava grove) - delicious hot coffee 

Kapinsan ed baaw (cousin in cooked rice) - inturing ya kanayon anggano anggapoy relasyon dad dala; or related by affinity of the same generation.

Kapinsa'y Sabado (cousin of Saturday) - tamad; lazy          

Katat na duweg (carabao skin) - malakas; strong

Kinawesa'y kagalangan (binihisan ng kagalangan; dressed up with honor) - put or elected in a lofty office or position

Kinaykay na manok (scratched by a chicken) - pangit ang sulat; ugly or messy handwriting

Kinmakalangakang - (naging mala-sampalok; has become like tamarind) - refers to gnarled feet 

Kinmamatis (turned tomato-like) - namaga; swollen, as in tissue that has been recently operated on (often used to describe a recently circumcised penis)

Kimmandila iray gamet to. (hugis kandila ang kanyang mga daliri; his fingers are candle-shaped) - mangiras, agto antay ongkimey ed abong; tamad; lazy

Kolor toy bago to. (His fur/body hair is his color.) - Umpapaway so ugali na sakey a too ya atawir ton karakter na pamilya to laot lad ateng to. The equivalent of, "Lumalabas ang tunay ang kulay." and "Kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga." His true nature shows. (This is frequently used to describe a surprisingly ill mannered person.) Example: Kuwan ko la et kolor toy bago to, pinmaway so ugali na ama to. 

Kumbagad niog ibubukayo (like coconut, mature enough to be made into bocayo or coconut candy) - matanda na; already of age

Kumbagad niog ilalarak (like coconut, mature enough to extract the oil from it) - akulaw la; already old

Kumbagad niog isasalad (like coconut, still young enough or not too mature yet to be made into salad) - teenager na; teenager

Kumbagad niog malamuteg (like coconut, young enough that its meat has the consistency of phlegm) - bata pa; still young

Kumekimbot so ebet (shaking butt) - malandi; flirt

Kuros na bulsa (cross of the pocket) - token coin or money that is kept in the wallet and never spent and is meant for luck

 

L

Labi kuanto no labi ("evening," he says, when it's evening) - an extremely reticent person

Labi ton amin a agew (all of his days are night) - bulag, ag makanengneng; bulag; blind
 

Layag na kawali (ear of frying pan/wok) - nagbibingi-bingihan; pretending not to hear 

Linmukak so tornilyo (loose screw) - may sayad ang utak; crazy

Loob-loob ya singa aso (entering like a dog) - pumapasok nang walang paalam; entering without permission

Lupa'y aga mamarigo (may mukhang ayaw mamigay ng sabaw; has the face of someone who will not share some broth) - 1. masiblet; madamot; stingy; 2. mahirap maloko o mapakiusapan; somebody who won’t give in to something, someone you can’t easily fool or take advantage of, or someone who has a stern face

Lupa'y aga paerel ya mabilay (has the face of someone who won't get caught alive) - has a disagreeable face?

Lupa'y aniani (mukhang multo; ghost-faced) - pangit; ugly, or has an excessively made-up face

Lupa'y aso (dog-faced) - walanghiya; shameless

Lupa'y kuwarta (mukhang pera; money-faced) - masiba o ganid sa pera; greedy for money

M

Maagat (puno ng luya; full of ginger) - malabir; madaldal; talkative

Maala’y lupa (has the habit of getting someone's face) - managderal na kapara ton too; maninirang-puri; slanderer

Maalimbusabos (tornado-like) - malastog ya mansalita, matog-makok (slang combining malastog and malakok); mayabang; braggart; syn.: Maragem (windy), Asibok (puffed up)  
 

Mabilay ya sangi (buhay na bunganga; living mouth) - di mahiyain o di nag-aatubiling sabihin ang nais; not shy of expressing his wants. Example: Aya so igangan yo ya unutang ta mabilay ya sangi. (You got to choose this guy to be the one to ask to borrow (something from the neighbor) because he can hack it.)

Mabli'y imis (one's smile is expensive) - bihira kung ngumiti, suplado/suplada; hardly smiles

Mabolbolos ed linawa (freely flowing from one's conscience/consciousness) - bukal sa kalooban; comes from the heart

Maditay dila to (has a venomous tongue) - malabir; madaldal; talkative or gossipy 

Maestra (teacher) - mauley, mibabali; pakialamero; impertinently busying with other people's things or affairs

Magasal ya kolaney (coarse softness?) - not graceful

Magata-gata (oozing with coconut milk) - "feel na feel"; very juicy; very expressive; e.g., Magata-gata'y ayew to. (Rough translation: He/she swears like a sailor.)

Maimpis so layag to. (Ear is thin-skinned.) - gumayesan ya pinasya; euphemism for frequent sexual activity 

Maimpis ya inpanbibil (thin-lipped) - malabir; daldalera, tsismosa; gossipy

Mais (corn) - magangano; madali; easy. Ex.: Abalang mon mais-mais. (Abalang mo magangano. Akala mo madali lang. You think it's easy? or You think that's just chicken to you?); Minais-mais (corned) - aga pinasya; hindi man lang nag-effort o nahirapan; didn't exert much effort. Example: Minais-mais ko labat may exam.

Mais-mais (corn corn) - peke; fake. Example: Abalang mon mais-mais?

Makak-ka-bawang la (I can smell the aroma of garlic.) - Malapit na siyang ikasal at makakasama tayo sa hapag-kainan sa araw ng kasal; synonyms: Asingger tilan makailop na digo; Natabaan lamet so bibil; Wala'y andukey ya lamisaan

Makak-kaimis ya singa bakes (smiling like a monkey) - nantapis; baliw; crazy

Makapagew (nakakaumay sa dibdib; gets you feeling sickly full in the breast) - nakakaumay na tamis; undesirably/excessively/cloyingly sweet like sugary food

Makapal so lupa (makapal ang mukha; thick-faced) - walanghiya; shameless

Makapatabang na baaw (makes cooked rice taste bland) - makapadimla; loathsome, disgusting.

Makarinyon inpanmata (karinyosong mata; coquettish eyes) - refers to a person who amorously attracts somebody through the eyes

Makarungol so angob to - ?  

Maka-tetano, Maka-tetanus (You can catch tetanus with it.) - latian; kinakalawang; rusty

Makilot (murky) - odino aliwan malinew so kanonotan to; hindi klarong mag-isip; has a confused mind; Example: Makilot so kanonotan to may masiken. (Magulo ang kaisipan ng matandang iyon.)

Maksil ya onsiyangob (malakas ang radar o pang-amoy; has a strong sense of smell) - has a strong sense of where a nice opportunity lies, as in he/she knows where every party is 

Maksil ya pakangel to (sharp of hearing) - tsismosa; gossip

Malamuteg ya niyog (coconut with meat in slimy stage) - malambot; softie?

Malet - (sturdy; matibay) - kuripot; stingy 

Malmalet ya... (sturdy) - matibay na...; die-hard; Ex.: malmalet ya Katoliko, malmalet ya kaaro, etc. (die-hard Catholic, die-hard friend, etc.)

Malukak so tornilyo to. (has loose screws) - walay tiris-tiris to; baliw; crazy

Maminsan ed bula'y Mayo (once in the month of May) - bibihira; very rare

Manaakar ed bulan (walking on the moon) - slow foot

Manaakar ya anggapoy olo (walking without a head) - ?

Manaalagar na napelag ya botayong (waiting for the tear-shaped young coconut fruit to fall) - mangiras, lanang ya akairong; Juan Tamad; lazy

Managderal na dalan (road wrecker) - abuwek; lasing; drunk 

Managkalawit na talon, Managkalawit na kamatis (eggplant picker, tomato picker) - melmelag a too; pandak; very short person 

Manakis na belas (crying rice grains) - crying copiously; tagaktak ang luha sa iyak; manterter so luwa ed akis

Manangampat (hand always crooked on his face) - apirdian o atalo’d bulang; minalas; suffered misfortune or great loss

Manasewek so eleng (nose smoking) - galit; angry

Manateteet so karol (the thunder is creaking) - aga makarengel; bingi: deaf 

Manduruwa'y kanonotan (having two thoughts) - di sigurado; not sure, could hardly decide

Maneebatan ira'y nganak (the hens are answering each other back) - walay malukon ya marikit; may dalagang nabuntis; a maiden just got pregnant

Mankakawela’y dila (tongue is criss-crossing) - amil; roughly, stammers/stutters

Mankakayas (scraping a bamboo stick to make it thin) - vulgar: masturbating

Mankalog lay pueg to (his knees now knock each other) - old bachelor or widower 

Mankondit ya aga nakabkablit (feeling displeased in an exaggerated way and can't even be poked with fingers) - mampungit ya abalang mo magangana; maarte, nag-iinarte, nagmamaganda; fussy, finicky, choosy, picky, hard to please (with one's suitor, food, clothing, etc.)

Manlilinget na balatong (perspiring mung beans) - pinasyay panaglinget to; pinagpapawisan ng butlig-butlig; perspiring beads of perspiration as indication of nervousness 

Manlilingwanan ti la. (Let's forget each other/one another.) - Agtila sankakaaro. Di na tayo bati. We are no longer friends.

Manlukson singa karag (jumping like a bullfrog) - mansalti; ?; ?

Manngangalngal na ngalab (chewing on hot coals) - walang preno ang bibig pag nagalit; trash talker

Manok (chicken) - wise and cunning; Example: Say ama to et marunong ya manok. (His father is a wise chicken.)

Manok-manok (little chicken) - kabit; querida; the other woman 

Mansanitsit so kawali - literally: the frying pan is sizzling (sumisirit ang kawali); wala'y masamit ya panangan; may nilutong masarap

Mansalat ti la'y kawes (Magpalit na tayo ng damit; Let's change clothes.) - maghalal na tayo ng iba o bagong lider; let's change our leader already/let's elect a new leader

Mansasnit (scorchingly hot) - tapos agad/ubos agad; easily done/easily sold out

Manterter so lipstick to (her lipstick is dripping) - atulapak; sumobra sa make-up; overly made-up

Manuusilan (naghahabulan; chasing after one another) - ang dami at tabi-tabi; numerous and side by side each other. Example: Manuusilan la ra'y sisinupan mi. (Nag-uumapaw na ang naipong hugasan sa lababo. I have overflowing plates (etc.) to wash in the sink.)  

Maong so ulo to (Mabuti ang kanyang ulo. His head is good.) - marunong, intelehente, matalino; intelligent

Maong (ki la/ la ra) (mabuti na kayo ha; you're having it too good) - roughly the equivalent of "ano kayo sinuswerte?"; "it's unfair". Example: "Agi maong ki la, akala kayo'y premyo angano angapo'y ginawa yo!" (You're too lucky to get a prize even if you didn't lift a finger -- it's unfair.)

Maong ya inkatalindeg (good bearing) - gwapo; handsome; synonyms: Maong ya impankayas (well-sculpted?), Maong ya bini (good seed); Maong a laki (good man)

Maong ya inpanbukel (good seed) - mabuting tao; good person   

Mapagan bitayen (afraid to be hanged? afraid that one would get hanged?) - natatakot; afraid 

Mapalyon so dagem (the air is full of evil spirits) - delikadon too o sitwasyon; delikado yung tao o sitwasyon; the person or situation is dangerous

Mapetang lan panangaro (ardent love) - uttered to address the spirits of the dead: Example: "Diman kilad pasen ya kulaan yo la natan ed tawen ta mapetang lay panangaro yo." 

Mapitat moling (narrow forehead) - makapoy so ulo; bobo; dimwit

Maples ni nen say kirmat (faster than lightning) - manaapura; nagmamadali; rushing

Maragem (mahangin; windy) - mapangta, malastog; mayabang; boastful

Marakep so porma'y lima to (his hand has a nice contour) - tamad; lazy           

Maremet a gamet (touchy finger) - magnanakaw; matakew; thief; syn.: Magawet so lima, Madiwit, Mariwit, Andukey so lima 

Marlang (fiery) - matalino; brainy. Example: "Sikato so marlang ya abogado!" (Siya ang magaling/mahusay/ matalinong tagapagtanggol! He's the bright lawyer!) 

Masagradon impanlupa, Masanton impanlupa (holy face) - mala-angel so lupa to, singa no aga makapisit na baso o singa no aga makangkasalanan ya too; mukhang di makabasag-pinggan; angel-faced, deems unable to hurt a fly  

Masangi-sangi (literally, too 'mouthy', large-mouthed, or speaks in a very loud voice) - matabil ang dila; mindlessly spills the beans (mindlessly reveals a secret to someone who is not supposed to know)

Matan singa bisokol (eyes as big as a snail) - big, bulging eyes

Mata’y pantat (catfish eyes) - refers to someone chinky-eyed

Mataktakken so panaon (the weather is so old) - yung panahon na di umuulan; the time when no rain ever falls: middle of summer and Lenten season

Matalag nen say delap (rarer than a flood) - bihira o pakonti-konti; rare, seldom

Matalangatang ya lata (tinny tin can) - maingay, madaldal; talkative                       

Matalker so tenger to (stiff neck) -  angapo’y kabat to, aga mangibambano; di namamansin, di lumilingon sa pinanggalingan?; snob; doesn't look back in gratitude

Matarakin lalong (handsome rooster) - handsome man

Mata'y dueg, Mata'y bisukol (carabao eye, snail eye) - muldagat; malaking mata; big-eyed 

Matdem so dila (matalim ang dila; has a sharp tongue) - refers to a person who talks too much, often below the belt 

Mayamay ni’y kanen mon baaw (marami ka pang kakaining kanin; you still have a lot of rice to eat) – you still have a long way to go before achieving what I (or others) have achieved

Melmelag balet singa silin anagasang (so small but like hot chili) - taong may ibubuga; small but terrible?

Mestisan bangus (mestisang bangus; Eurasian milkfish) - pangit so inkamestisa to; mestisang hilaw; Eurasian half-breed but not in a full way or good way

Misasalaok ya balaok (meddling ladle) - mabetbet a miakan ed arom ya abong (see also Bangaw); malimit makikain sa ibang bahay; pakialamero; someone who often takes meals in someone else's household, meddler

 

N

Naatota'y lasi (gets farted on by thunder) - napahamak, minalas; ran into bad luck or met with misfortune

Nabebetela’y digo (the broth is getting cold) - ongkakapoy ed kakarawen to; having a slim chance with the one you are courting

Nabetan na siyam-siyam (overtaken by the nine o'clock vespers) - stays too long

Nabilang na gamet (can be counted with one's fingers) - kaunti lang; few, can be counted

Nablos so baboy (the pig escaped) - makulit; pesky           

Nablos ya kabayo (escaped horse) - galawgaw; roughly, boisterous in a negative way

Nablos ya piriso (escaped prisoner) - gutom na gutom; famished

Nabot ka la'y siyam-siyam (the 'nine-nine' [seemingly unending rain during the wet season] has already caught up with you) - ang tagal mo diyan; what's taking you so long?

Nagatinan mo lay puseg mo. (You can already step on your bellybutton.) - Toon baleg ya mangagalaw ni na galawgalaw na ugaw. Example: Agka la man gagalaw na untan ta nagatinan mo lay puseg mo.

Nagtela'y utek to (his brain turned cold) - atapis; baliw; crazy

Naguyor ed eleng (can be pulled through the nose, that is, like a farm animal (i.e., carabao) that can be pulled through a nose leash - kayang kayang paikutin o pasunurin; docile like sheep. Example: "Ay, diman manaaayam may katulangan ko'd irat ko, ta anto ey, sankaguyor dad eleng."

Naibong so digo - di natuloy (ang kasal, atbp.); the wedding (etc.) was called off

Nakal ed ulok (Nawala sa ulo ko. It got off from my head.) - Alingwanan ko. Nakalimutan ko. I forgot.

Naknay dosas-dosas to. (Her ? was hit.) - vulgar: sexual climax

Naksel so kalsada, narasa'y kusina. (The street is full, the kitchen is hungry.) - being showy in an unseemly way

Naksit ya baso (glass that has been broken into very small pieces) - sintunado'y boses to; ; sintunado; out of tune

Nalam lay betang mo (You've already taken your portion.) - Nakuha mo na ang gusto mo sa kanya (kasintahang babae).; You have already tried her in bed (i.e., have had sex with her). 

Nalibre'y kinalat na uleg (the one bitten by a snake will receive a free treat) - aga nalibre; surely will not get a free treat

Nalner ed sangkabibin danom (got drowned in seashell-deep water) - agto amtay saman tan saya, mainumay toy manisia, tampol ya anisya; madaling maniwala o maloko; gullible  

Namagaa'y dika (The grass will get dry.) - matantan; mabagal kumilos; slow foot, it takes one too long to do something; Example: Namamagaa'y dikan dadakatan mo.

Namulmolan mo'y tangan ko (you might suck at my thumb) - baka madisgrasya; might fall into misfortune

Nan-alaa'y salita (got words from each other) - exchanged hostile words or argued in inamicably

Nanbukas ya pagew (nagbukas ng dibdib; opens his/her breast) - nagsabi ng hinanaing atbp.; expresses or shows his/her honest feelings (hurts, regrets, and the like), speaks from the heart

Nanbuknol ed beklew (caused a knot inside the neck) - caused one to choke (like water)

Nandaiset, Wala'y daiset to (may konti; has something little) - kulang-kulang; crazy

Nanenengneng mo'y abot na dagum, say abot na wasay andi (you can see the eye of the needle, but not the eye of the axe) - mabalaw; you see flaws of others but not your own

Nan-gagal na itel (chewed on hardened poop like it's betel nut) - mabahong hininga; bad breath

Nankakampuyo’d sungot/sali/otin/etc. (has a mole in the mouth/foot/penis/etc.) - malabir/maakar//mabii/etc.; talkative, always on the road, womanizer, and so on

Nankamkampuyo ed ebet (may nunal sa puwit; has a mole on the butt) - malas ya kaiba; malas na kasama; jinx

Nankamkampuyo’y tetew - managibalo; ? ; ?

Nampanabusa'y lusi (vulgar: roughly, where the glans penis was at the point of death?) - bunso; youngest child; syn.: Gaer (latak in Tagalog)

Nanpusaan (having benefited from as a cat; 'pinagpusaan'). kinuha bilang maninilbihan; - Ex.: "Ayan too, abayag dan nampusaan." ("Ang taong ito ay matagal nilang pinagpusaan.") ("Ang taong ito ay matagal nilang naging alalay." This person was their servant for a long time.")

Nansasangaan so dila (tongue is many-branched) - madaldal o sinungaling(?); talkative or liar

Nansasangaan so salita (words are branching or criss-crossing) - mali-mali, iba-iba ang sinasabi; inconsistent in one's words

Nansementod pagew (cemented in the breast) - truth that could hardly be accepted

Nantiblaka'y pitoran dueg (seven carabaos had a mudbath in it) - biin marutak o dakel lay lakin akiamongan to; refers to a woman who had been living one after another with a number of men; Example: Satan ya bii, nantiblaka'y pitoran dueg. 

Nantrabahon singa duweg (nagtrabahong parang kalabaw; worked like a carabao) - worked with all his/her strength

Naogip ed pansitan (slept in the noodle house) - atilak; napag-iwanan; has been left behind

Napangerep na pool (capable of extinguishing a fire) - very dirty 

Napanlaseka'y kuto so eges to (a louse can be squished on his tummy [because it has bulged and thus turned hard) - naknaksel; busgo na busog; so full in the stomach

Napantanema'y agat (can be planted with ginger) - sobrang duming damit; so soiled/so dirty (referring to clothes)

Napelag la'y butayong (malalaglag na ang bunga ng niyog na korteng luha; the tear-shaped young coconut fruit is about to fall) - unakis la; iiyak na; about to cry

Napamekpek na atiwel (can be used to stike a mad dog) - big, hard, unshapely legs 

Naplagay langka (a jackfruit fell on it) - a pockmarked face

Naplagay palapa (a coconut frond fell on it) - a flat nose 

Narel ed salita to (got caught with his words). - unwittingly revealed himself, the truth, a secret, etc.

Nasibuka'y dagem (Baka mahanginan. It might get blown by the wind.) - umpano unggawan tuwa so lurey ya depektod laman. Baka matuluyan ang kunwari ay bulag-bulagan, pilay-pilayan, atbp. Doing it (acting blind, lame, etc.) in jest might end up being true. Example: Agka manpipiley-pileyan o manbubulag-bulagan ta ampan nasibuka'y dagem.

Natabaan lamet so bibil (Our lips will once again be covered in fat.) - Malapit na siyang ikasal at makakasama tayo sa hapag-kainan sa araw ng kasal; synonyms: Asingger tilan makailop na digo; Makak-kabawang la; Wala'y andukey ya lamisaan

Natetektek la’y bawang (the garlic being sauteed will get burnt) - magano la’y bansal; the wedding feast is fast approaching

Natilak ed kangkungan (maiiwan sa kangkungan; will be left out in the water cabbage patch) - mapag-iiwanan; will be left behind

Naugip ya singa taba (slept like lard) - naugip ya maong; tulog na tulog; fell so fast asleep 

Nausdongan (accidentally stooped over on) - naimpluwensyahan ng masama; affected someone negatively. Example: Nausdongan ko ta'y kaanakan ko katon singa lanang ya abambanuan.

Nengneng toy kabayo (looks like a horse) - anggapoy itsura to; walang itsura; unattractive (looks)

Nepnep na duweg (carabao's non-stop rain) - not-so-strong, nonstop-rain that seems to drag its feet like a carabao and thus stays too long in the area

Nikarunyas so apangat (the fly slips) - sileng-sileng; maningning; shiny

Nikarunyas so dila (the tongue slips) - ay nadulas!; used to refer to someone when he or she unintentionally lets out a secret

Nila ak lay bulan (the moon has come to me for the first time) - what a girl says when she had her first menstruation

Nila ak na bulan (the moon has come to me) - what a woman says when she had her usual menstruation

Nipatog (nauntog; bumped one's head) - nagkamali; did something wrong

Nipatog ed bulan (bumped one's head on the moon) - kulang-kulang; crazy

Nitan la’y basakay (the skink is coming) – unsasabi’y too'n malas; dumadating ang taong malas; a person of bad luck is coming

No onakis singa birkakakan. (He cries like a birkakakan fish.) - agaylay kasil na akis to, singa berkakakan o sakey ya uri na sira ya no onorangal et makapakebiew; cries aloud like a birkakakan fish, which issues a fearsome cry 

No uleg, aketket ka la (Kung ahas yun, natuklaw ka na; If that were a snake, you would have been bitten.) - wala la'd arap mo, agmo ni nanengneng; nasa harap mo na, di mo pa makita; you are looking for something that is just beside you yet you can not see it

Nunot bilay (thinking of life) - alisto kung may madidiskarteng pagkain para sa araw; prompt in scoring food for the day

O

Ombak la'y lupa to (odino baog to) (old-faced) - matatken la; matanda na; already old

Ompapatey so dika ya dadalanan to (the grass he is trodding on is dying) - mabagal kumilos; slow-moving; var.: Ompatey so dikan dadakatan to (The grass he is treading on will die.) - matantan ya onakar o mababel ya ongalaw; dahan-dahang kumilos o maglakad; walks or acts ever so slowly; var.: Namagaay dika ya dadalanen mo (The grass you are walking on will dry out.) - matantan ya manakar, kereng-kereng ya mankimey

Onkaronyas so angapat (so smooth a fly will slide on it) - a well-pressed attire

Otek monamon (anchovy-brained) - makapoy ya impan-ulo o impan-utek; bobo, mangmang, lokal na bersyon ng utak biya; local version of pea-brained or bird-brained; syn.: Anggapo'y utek (brainless); var.: Inotekay monamon, Utek na monamon
 

P

Paatageya'y sirit (pataasan ng ihi; pissing contest) - payabangan; as though trying to outdo one another in boastfulness or pride

Padukeya’y kordon, Padukeya’y kuldon (longest shoelace contest) - mapasensiya; patient

Payurong mod palpal, Pairong mod palpal (Get her seated on a peg.) - have sex with her (refers to two consenting people (male and female) having sexcapade as in inside a movie theater)

Pakanen takay dalin. (I will feed you soil.; Pakakainin kita ng lupa.) - ingorangor (so lupa) ed dingding, datal, o dalin; ingudngod ang mukha sa dingding, sahig, o lupa o kahit saan; rub someone's face on the wall, floor, ground, etc.

Panaayama'y baboy (pig sty) - maruming tirahan; dirty home

Panangan badong (eating badong-style) - kanen no antoy imparungo ed lamisaan, ag manpili na kanen; kakainin kung ano ang inihain, di mapili; to eat contentedly what was served on the table, to not complain about it 

Panangan na sundalo (soldier's manner of eating) - maples ya panangan; mabilis na paglamon; fast eating  

Panangaraw na Intsik, Panagkaraw na Intsik (Chinese courtship) - onkaraw ira diad kaplesay agew; hapon kung manligaw; it's lunch time or afternoon when wooing or courting a girl

Pananga'y tiki (pagkain ng butiki; house lizard's food) - maomit; mahinang kumain; eats sparingly

Panpanabusan taka! (I will get close to death to get back at you!) - an expression of extreme hate directed at another person; syn.: Panbitkelan taka (I will kill myself to get back at you!); Ipirisoan taka (I will go to jail to get back at you!); Ay lasi ka. Itakoko mo ak! Mansalat tay ngaran! (? ? We will exchange names!); Usilan taka ya anggad akualan nen inam! (I will run after you even when you're on your mother's lap!) 

Parehon kawigi'y sali to. (He has two left feet.) - agto anta'y unsayaw; di alam sumayaw; doesn't know how to dance 

Pasmay eras (pasma ng gutom; muskuloskeletal spasm of hunger) - maasim na tiyan; hyperacidity 

Pati sungot to onaatot. (Even his/her mouth farts.) -  He/she has bad breath. 

Pekpek ed duweg, batil ed baka (the carabao takes the hit, but the cow gets the bruise) - refers to a situation when a person gets hurt by words directed at someone else

Pelsaan (has a boil) - matila; sinungaling; liar

Pesel ya sakey simba (satiation that will last all week) - has eaten too much

Piglatan la'y obet to, Andeket la'y obet to (scar- or black-bottomed) - dakel la'y pasantes/eksperiyensya to ed bilay; marami nang napag-daanan sa buhay; experienced

Pigpigtew ya manok (poor, unfortunate, pitiful chicken) - pakaskasi o kaskasyan; kawawa, parang basang sisiw; pitiful

Pikewet (crooked) - bakla; gay guy

Pinmultak so mata to (his eyes flew open) - ataktakot; nagulat, natakot; got frightened

Pinmuti'y busaleg to (namutla and nguso niya; his cheeks?lips? turned white) - nagulat/natakot ng todo; frightened, panicked, dead-tired

Pinmuti lay mata tod panaalagar to. (His eyes have turned white while waiting.) - aga unsasabi o sinmabi so katongtong to, aga sinmabiy kasipanan to; in-indian siya sa kanilang usapan o tipanan; was stood up in his/her agreed-upon meet-up or romantic date; var. Amuti lay mata tod panaalagar to.

Pinmutok ya lupa (a face that burst) - makolorete; sora sa make-up; overly made-up face  

Pitek ya impan-ulo (mud-headed) - hindi matalino; mentally slow

 

S

Sakey kablit labat (isang kalabit lang; just one poke of the finger) - easy to get

Sakit ya binmugkol (a disease that swelled) - buntis; pregnant

Saksakey lay siritan da., Saksakey lay pananiritan da. (They already take a leak in just one place.) - nagsisiping na o nagsasama na; already having sex, already having a secret relationship 

Sali-sali, nala'd sali (Pasubok-subok, nadali sa binti.; Trying it out, his feet was hit.) - a pun and an expression that refers to a guy who courts a girl that is unattainable but surprisingly says yes

Salin singa agat, Inmagat ya impansali, Kinmakalangakang (ginger- or tamarind-looking toes or feet) - gnarled or knobbly toes or feet 

Salitay abwek - anggapoy katuwaan; walang katotohanan; words that are untrue

Salita'y alabian (words of someone who came in late at night) - walang tinupad sa sinabi; reneged on one's word 

Samal (lason, poison) - unwanted fellow, like one who uses his badge to get a free ride

Sangkakutdang (Kayang-kaya ng isang hakbang; You can reach it with just one step) - malapit lang, so near

Sankanengneng moy matam (You're looking at your eyes.) - no walay gagawaen nen lakik et agko mangiba katoy ibaga da; not doing anything to help out or not giving a hand

Sankategteg (a mere chop of meat) - a very short fellow 

Sano unputiy wawak (pagputi ng uwak; when the crows becomes white) - imposible; something impossible to happen

Sansangkarangan (just palm-sized) - sobrang liit; too small/too tiny

Say mata so pananap, aliwan sangi (you use the eyes to search, not the mouth) - you keep on talking instead of looking (at the missing object)

Say dakel... (ang marami...; the many...) - Mamaya mo niyan...; an expression indicating a sense expressed in the following. Example: Agka oonla'd tan. Say dakel nabambanoan ka. (Don't go there. Wait till you get possessed by unseen spirits, and you'll see.) 

Say labay to panarian toy bilay mo! (What he wants is to reign like a king over your life.) - Say labay to sukayan toy amin ed bilay mo, amin labay to supsupen to.; What he wants is to get hold of all aspects of your life. 

Sesereten, lalasiken (to be squeezed like a lice) - a young girl's pleasantly plump figure

Silan makulaney (weak legs?) - narasan; gutom; hungry

Simpak na lasi (____? of lightning) - karol/kirmat; kulog/kidlat; thunder/lightning

Sinaksak a pabeneg, Sinaksak ed beneg (stabbed at the back) - dineralan; siniraan; talked behind her back

Singa abaliw a inasin (like bagoong, which is fermented) - abaingan; napahiya; embarrassed

Singa ag akalboan a kaong (like a sow that has not been given food) - a person who is so hungry that he gobbles up his food

Singa aga makaanak ya aso (like a dog that can't give birth) - hindi makapakali; can't stay in one place

Singa aga mamangay baaw (seems like he's not eating rice) - makapkapoy; nanghihina; feeble, weak 

Singa agat (parang luya; like ginger) - refers to webbed feet with deformed toes

Singa akagatin na ararawan (like you stepped on a mole cricket) - walks like doing a crazy dance

Singa alimbusabos (like a strong thunderstorm) - mapmaples ya umbatik; runs so fast

Singa alumbayar ya inasinan (like a salted earthworm) - aga makareen; di mapakali; can't stay in one place because agitated?

Singa andibaing (makahiya) - mahinhin; delicately soft or feminine

Singa anyanin dinmalan (like a ghost passing by) - hindi nagbigay-galang, hindi namansin; did not show respect

Singa apildak ya lata (like a squelched tin can) - hindi kagandahan; not very pretty

Singa apuyat ya bakes (like a monkey lacking sleep) - wala sa sarili; not oneself

Singa aso no onsasabi (like a dog when coming) - walang galang o walang respeto; disrespectful

Singa berurukoy mata (His eyes look like those of giant snails.) - manbugkol sa mata to; luwa ang mata; poppy-eyed

Singa binmayeber a uleg (like a snake that entwined itself on something) - kapit-tuko; clingy

Singa bulawit (like a bamboo cane) - mapayat; reed-thin

Singa byuko (like this dwarf mango variety?) - pandak; undesirably short

Singa dinildilan na baka (like a cow licked at it) - sileng-sileng; makintab; shiny. Example: Agi, singa dinildila'y baka so buwek to. (It looks like his hair was licked by a cow.)

Singa duduruten so tombong ko. (It is like my bottom is being fingered.) - Gabagabay ko lay unalis pero agko maka-alis-alis. Gustung-gusto nang umalis ngunit di makaalis. Eager to leave but can't.

Singa duweg (parang kalabaw; like a carabao) - balbaleg ya dugyot; malaki at marumi; huge and untidy

Singa eleng na pusa (like a cat's nose) - ambetel; malamig; cold (often used to describe leftover food or food that has gotten cold when it should have been served hot)

Singa ginawan kanen (like some sort of rice cake) - nalnala; kuhang-kuha; done perfectly

Singa impakesneg a lasong (like a dumped mortar) - "pandak la lanti la, mataba ni, anggapo ni’y itsura to"; unattractive woman, also used to describe a woman's body during pregnancy

Singa inani ed sirom (like harvested in a shady place) - refers to someone abnormal or with developmental deficit "someone with no common sense"

Singa inapunan (as though possessed by spirits) - parang wala sa sarili; refers to someone who is not his usual self, or to someone acting strangely or weird

Singa inggaton ya barang (like a bolo that was put down) - malalim ang tulog; having deep sleep

Singa inggaton ya barang (like a bolo placed on top of something) - akaugip ed kesaw to; nakatulog sa pagod; fell asleep out of tiredness 

Singa inkutkot a kamote (like a buried sweet potato) - mostly refers to a child who gets dirty after playing

Singa inokisan a ponti (like unsheathed banana trunk) - fair-skinned

Singa kantaw (parang pusang ilang; like a wild cat) - used to refer to someone who shows up and/or vanishes from out of the blue, like a wild cat does 

Singa kapre (like a giant smoking ogre of local legend) - matangkad; tall  

Singa karyo (like a shovel) - malaking paa; big-footed

Singa kinaykay na manok (like the chicken has scratched it) - magulo o pangit ang sulat; refers to messy handwriting; syn.?: Singa kinalaykay na pusa

Singa kukoy kangkang (like birds' claws) - very long fingernails 

Singa kutattey (like a tadpole) - sobrang payat; overly thin

Singa latan anggapo'y karga (like an empty tin can) - walang-alam, mangmang; dimwit

Singa maamon kordero (like a docile sheep) - mapagkumbaba; meek and humble; Example: Mangabeba ira kumon Ama ya singa maamon kordero! Make them humble and meek, oh Lord!

Singa manaakar ed bulan (like walking on the moon) - mabagal; slow

Singa managlako'y tuka (like vinegar vendors) - patunda-tunda; patigil-tigil; stops every now and then

Singa manok ya kakalasan (like an undomesticated chicken; synonym: Singa maatap ya manok) - maatap; sobrang mailap, takot sa tao; unusually shy

Singa mantatanem na belas (like planting rice) - refers to a person who walks so slow

Singa manyekew a manok (like a sickly chicken) - maysakit o mahina; weak or sick

Singa mata'y duweg (parang mata ng kalabaw; like a carabao's eyes) - incredibly big

Singa mata'y kulayot (parang mata ng kuwago; like an owl's eyes) - incredibly big

Singa mo ak la nilabusan. (Like you have stripped me naked.) - pinabaingan; pinahiya; shamed 

Singa nalad salarek/salaret (like one caught in a bird trap; [salarek is panghuli ng ibon or bird trap]) - siguradong kuha o huli; sure hit

Singa nanobongay bagsit (as if a hornet built its nest on it) - unkempt, dishevelled hair 

Singa nansuldungay pait da. (Looks like their intestines are connected) - dwaran too ya malmalet so inpankaaro da, sanagi ed nanduruman ateng; malapit na kaibigan; bosom friend 

Singa napantanema'y agat so salim (parang pwedeng pagtaniman ng luya ang paa mo; looks like one can plant ginger in your feet) - you have such dirty feet

Singa no aso'y San Roque (like St. Roch's dog) - lanang ya unuusil; ; palaging naghahabol; always running after someone/something

Singa no ra nagigilata. (It is like ants are crawling all over them. Para silang nilalanggam.) - Masamsamit ya aruan na san-inaro.  Ang sweet-sweet nila. They are so sweet.

Singa otot ed uma (like a farm mouse) - masyadon mabaing; masyadong mahiyain; overly shy

Singa pinekpek ya bakukol (like a turtle that was hit) - akatameeng; ?

Singa pinitpit ya dangew (like a squished stink bug) - alablabas so pabalingit to or manalingernger so pabalingit to; nagpabango ng sobra-sobra; has put on some overpowering perfume

Singa pinogsoay tren (as if a train's engine belched on it) - dirty

Singa pinya’y mata (eyes like pineapple) - tsismosa; gossip

Singa pusan manaanak (like a cat giving birth) - aga makareen; can't stay in one place

Singa ra abasaan a togak (like herons that got wet) - maingal ya maniistoryaan; noisy when talking to one another

Singa saksakulap (like an owl [Philippine frogmouth]) - angkakabaleg so mata to, nasilip, nalikas, naimano ton amin; has such big eyes that he can notice everything

Sibong na alan (a giant's offspring or nestling) - matangkad na bata; an oversized child, too tall for his age

Singa sisilamuta’y pusa (like a cat is licking it) - maong a manalita o manbulatis; sweet-talker

Singa tataleman ya belas (like rice is being soaked in water) - mabagal kumilos na tao; slow mover

Singa tilay (like a monitor lizard) -  mandilat; dumidila, madaldal; has this habit of sticking out one's tongue

Singa tinaleman a belas (like rice steeped in water) - agga makaesel o makapanrason; di makapagsalita o makapagpaliwanag; can't talk or reason out  

Singa tinekmela’y bulag (like a blind man grabbed at it) - malet so impamemben to; hinawakang mabuti; gripped at it so hard

Singa tinmubon oong (seems to have grown like mushroom) - biglang sumulpot; suddenly turns up or rises 

Singa uleg (like a snake) - traydor; traitor, treacherous; Example: Sikato so oleg ed sayan ulopan. (Siya ang ahas o traydor sa ating grupo o samahan. He is the traitor in this group.)

Singa uong no onsasabi (like a mushroom when coming; parang kabute kung dumating) - bilang dumarating; refers to a person who shows up unexpectedly 

Singara takayan so anak to (his children are like stairs) - nantutumbukan so anak to/tinaon ya manaanak; sunud-sunod ang anak; has lots of kids of varying ages

Singsinga turok (like a prick) - payat na lalake; thin-framed man

Sinmabo’y dala  (blood boils over) - nagalit ng todo; got enraged/extremely furious

Sisibukan mo’y sorbetes (you're blowing at the dirty ice cream) - aga iimanuen so manangaro; not taking one's love seriously enough 

Sitdak ya duweg, batil na kabayo (the carabao takes the hit, but the horse gets the bruise) - a variation of Pekpek ed duweg, batil ed baka; refers to a person who gets hurt by words directed at someone else

Suldong na bilay ko (dugtong ng buhay ko; extension of my life) - mahal ko; love of my life (a romantic expression)

T

Taban kinmigtel (mantikang namuo; oil that turned solid) - mahirap gisingin; so fast asleep that he is so hard to wake up

Taklay na uley (arm of rule) - pulis, militar; saray kapulisan; military officers, persons in authority; Example: Wadya la iray taklay na uley. (Akasabi la iray pulis. The police has arrived.)

Tangay-tangay ed Pozorrubio (looking up hopelessly lost somewhere in Pozorrubio [a town in northern Pangasinan where there used to be reportedly lots of tree-houses]) - nawawala, inosente; lost one's way, naïve

Tangay-tangay ed tawen, Akatangay ed tawen (looking up in the direction of heaven) - inosente, hindi alam, walang alam (tatanga-tanga?), walang kamalay-malay; innocent, ignorant?

Tin*eyan da'y ulo to (one's head got pooped on) - nangaliwa ang asawa niya or kinaliwa; her spouse is having an affair; syn.: Tinaiyan day toktok to; Anggapo lay galang to; Manaakar ya anggapo'y ulo to

Tinmerak lay saklor na duweg (the carabao's horn has hatched?) - tanghaling-tapat na?; tirik na ang araw?; it's already noon. Example: Akin naugip ki ni? Tinmerak lay saklor na duweg! (Why are you still asleep/in bed? The carabao's horn has crushed!)

Timmerak lay tapis to (her craziness has hatched) - puno na ang salop, lumabas na ang tunay niyang pagkatao sa galit o pagkabwisit, lumabas na ang natural nung mapikon; all hell breaks loose once he/she is fed up 

Too'y polong o kalsada (taong daan; a fellow frequenting the street) - paakar; layas; someone always going out

 

U

Umbarong ed baaw (magtampo sa kanin) - Bugbugin kita eh hanggang sa magtampo ka na sa kanin (o hindi ka na makakain ng kanin); Labay mo amo'n umbarong ed baaw? (Gusto mo na atang mamatay, p're?; You want to die now, as in you no longer wish to eat rice?) 

Umpano umbaleg so ulo to (baka lumaki ang ulo niya; might make his head big) - might become vain  

Umpepeket so bisukol (The snail sticks to it.) - mabagal; ever-so-slow

Unaan ya saklang (first batch of seating?) - no diad kasal, aya ramay pakanen ya unaan ya akayurong ed bridal o presidential table with principal sponsors; mga unang kakain ng handa sa kasalan (sa may presidential table) o iba pang piging; refers to the first ones to get to try the food (at the presidential table) during feasts like a wedding feast

Untatangay la ed ubong (already looking up at the nest) - ungkakaraw la anggano ugaw ni; umaakayat na ng ligaw kahit bata pa; already courting even if still too young

Uran na duweg, Nepnep na duweg (carabao's rain or carabao's non-stop rain) - not-so-strong, nonstop-rain that seems to drag its feet like a carabao and thus stays too long in the area

Uran ya benger (hard-headed rain) - rain that doesn't seem to stop 

Usila'y apangat, Uusila'y apangat (a fly is running after something/someone) - ambanget; mabaho; stinky

Usila'y danganan, Uusila'y danganan (the pillow is chasing after him/her) - makakaugip odino mangiras; inaantok o tinatamad; sleepy or lazy 

Usila'y plantsa, Uusila'y plantsa (the flat iron is running after him) - akeskes so kawes ya sulong to; kusot-kusot ang suot na damit; the clothes one is wearing have not been pressed 

Uusilay sagaysay (the comb is running after him) - maguloy buwek to; magulo ang buhok; hair is disheveled

Utang na maong a linawa (debt of good conscience) - utang na loob; debt of honor

W

Wala lad abot to so sakey sali to. (One of his legs is already buried in a hole. Nasa hukay na ang isang paa niya.) - one's station in life is expected to be near death's door due to the nature of work. Example: Say sundalo wala lad abot to so sakey ya sali to.

Wala lad nguroy dilak. (It is already at the tip of my tongue. Nasa dulo na ng dila ko.) - refers to a word or term that one cannot recall or has forgotten but is at the point of remembering it

Wala lay ibabaga to (it is already telling something) - asinger lan nabangles; malapit nang mapanis; the food has turned quite bad already 

Wala la'y saklor to, Andukey la'y saklor to (already has horns, already has long horns) - anawet la'y ulo to; matigas na ang ulo, pasaway na; already hard-headed, already troublesome to deal with unlike innocent kids

Wala'y banting to (has a bell?) - baliw; crazy

Walay layag na dalin. (The land has ears.) - Aga niamot so sikreto laot la ed saray tsismosa. Ang sikreto ay di maitago dahil sa mga makakating labi. A secret can't be kept because of gossip.; syn.: Say dalin nanlayag. (equivalent of "May tainga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita.") (There is no secret that will never be known. Eventually, it will come out.)

Wala'y manitikel na maya (someone's choking a sparrow/finch) - wala'y manisirit (ya laki); may umiihi (na lalaki); some guy is taking a leak 

Wala'y sakit na manok, Mansasakit so manok (The chicken is sick.) - makakaugip; inaantok; sleepy, looking drowsy all the timeWala'y sakit to'd bato (is sick in the kidney) - tamad; lazy

(The above was lifted and expanded from the Bayambang Culture Mapping Project of BNHS and LGU-Bayambang.)

ORIGINAL PROFILERS/MAPPERS: Marie B. Macaraeg, Lyka Mae S. Neri, Theresa M. Cayabyab, Via G. Garcia, Teddy Boy S. Cayabyab, Jerhome P. Ramos, Freda Joy R. del Monte, Brix Adam Palarca, Renalyn Siapno, Princes Geen Andoy, Jandrei Frias, Rosemarie Macam, Grade 12 HUMSS-Psalms, Bayambang National High School

ADVISER/ORIGINAL PROPONENT: Mr. Christopher Q. Gozum (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions). PRINCIPAL: Dr. Mary Ann Payomo. PSDS: Dr. Candra Penoliar

Date Profiled: January 15, 2019

RESOURCE PERSONS: Lucida Ali, 63, Brgy. Telbang; Ma. Teresa D. Macaraeg, 60, Brgy. Tanolong; Rosalinda Jacalne, 63, Brgy. Tamaro; Erlinda dela Cruz, 62, Brgy. Bical Sur; Raul Garcia, 44, Brgy. Buayaen; Natividad Cayabyab, 83, Brgy. San Gabriel 1st; Pedro B. Lucena, 80, Nalsian Norte; Remedios I. Siapno, 63, Poblacion, Basista; Myrie M. Andoy, 58, San Gabriel 2nd; Leonora S. Rivera, 81, Tambac; Crispina Rives Malicdem, 88, M.H. Del Pilar; Susana S. Macabulos, 57, Nalsian Norte,

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE PERSONS: Dr. Leticia B. Ursua; Dr. Nicolas Miguel; Lily Luz Ursua-Abella; Flora Eve; Oscar Ora; Gloria Valenzuela; Mildred Odon; Resty S. Odon; Romeo J.  Odon; Verna M. Ferrer; Dr. Margarita R. Untalan; Francis Untalan; Melvin Garay; Dr. Mira G. Jimenez; Dennis Salopagio; Andrea Ferrer Umoypa; Joey Ferrer; John Quinto; Dennis Flores; Danny Sagun; Raul Quintin T. Palisoc; Xerxesh 'Ace' Gloria; Yule Camacho; Leo B. Aquino Jr.; Lorenzo Frianeza, citing KSD Wikaalaman and personal knowledge; Dr. Efren F. Abulencia; Christopher Gozum

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES: 

Mga Idyoma sa Pangasinan by Carmela S. Bulatao, Julie A. Cayabyab, Judy Ann C. Ferrer, Ma. Angela C. Sevilla, Mytha Erica S. De Guzman, Alona Jean M. Sibulangcao, Marycar Jane S. Asuncion, Ciara Mae V. Vallo, Joana Marie F. Salinas, BSEd Filipino I-1. Pangasinan State University-Bayambang Campus, S.Y. 2018-2019.

Why it's difficult to learn Pangasinan, Gabriel Cardinoza, Philippine Daily Inquirer; url: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=109246937471932&id=109214414141851

Taga Pangasinan Ak Aroen Koy Salitak. (Sept. 12, 2012). In Facebook [Group Page]. Retrieved August 24, 2020, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=497634666916429&id=129758183704081

Saray Taga-Pangasinan Facebook page members commenting on Lorenzo Frianeza's post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/154584501713515/posts/1819915165180432/

Pangasinan State University-Bayambang Campus, Kapisanang Sulo ng Diwa Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SuloNgDiwa2016/posts/2766470436918751

Dr. Perla S. Nelmida's Pangasinan Folk Literature (thesis) (1982, UP Diliman)

CONSULTANTS: Santiago Villafania, Melchor Orpilla, Dr. Leticia B. Ursua; Dr. Nicolas Miguel, Oscar Ora

ADDITIONAL COMPILER, TRANSLATOR, & EDITOR: Resty S. Odon

PROJECT MANAGERS/COORDINATORS (LGU-Bayambang side): Rafael L. Saygo, Gloria de Vera-Valenzuela 

CULTURE MAPPING PROJECT CONSULTANTS: Center for Pangasinan Studies (Dr. Perla Legaspi, Butch Torio, Nicanor Germono Jr.), Rona Repancol (University of Santo Tomas), Manuel Arvin Villalon (National Council for Culture and the Arts)

 

Related: 

 

Traditional Expressions in Pangasinan

 

Traditional Sayings and Beliefs in Pangasinan

 

Pangasinan Riddles