Language is more than just words; it’s a window into culture. In Tagalog, the language of the Philippines, this is especially evident in the variety of Tagalog words for family members. These terms reflect the Filipino values of respect, family closeness, and love that are central to the culture.
In Filipino culture, family is everything. As a result, there are many specific kinship terms used to refer to family members, extended family, and even family friends. These terms often go beyond English equivalents, revealing the Filipino emphasis on respect and the unique closeness of family bonds.
If you’re learning Tagalog, incorporating these kinship and endearment terms into your daily vocabulary will give you a more authentic, culturally nuanced approach to speaking the language.
Immediate Family-Related Terms In Tagalog
In Tagalog, parents are called “magulang” and a child is called “anak”. The mother is often referred to asthe “ilaw ng tahanan” (light of the home) while the father is the “haligi ng tahanan” (pillar of the home).
There are several ways to address one’s parents and children in Tagalog. It all depends on the culture and the way a person modifies the address to show affection.
1. Mama, Papa
- This is one of the more commonly observed ways to address one’s parents.
- Mama and Papa have the same nuance as mom and dad in English.
2. Nanay, Tatay
- Nanay and Tatay are the literal translations of mother and father in Tagalog respectively.
- These are used less as an address and more as a way to refer to your parents.
- Sample sentences:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Siya ang aking nanay. | She is my mother. |
Kasama ko ang aking tatay. | I am with my father. |
- When used as an address, they are shortened instead to Nay and Tay or Inay and Itay.
3. Ina, Ama
- Ina and ama also mean mother and father respectively.
- These are both used to refer to and address one’s parents formally.
4. Mommy, Daddy
- This is the American-influenced way of addressing one’s parents.
- While it’s not always the case, the media often portrays the people using this form of address as conyo.
5. Anak
- Anak can also be a way to address one’s child. The plural form is “mga anak”.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Anak, pwedeng pakibili ako ng ubas? | Child, can you buy me some grapes? |
- This form of address can also be used by older relatives and even strangers to call someone way younger.
6. Asawa
- Asawa means spouse in Tagalog.
- This is used to refer to one’s spouse, but not necessarily used as a form of address.
- There is no direct translation for husband and wife.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Kasama ko ang aking asawa. | I am with my spouse. |
What To Call Your Siblings In Tagalog
To be more specific on which sibling you are referring to, here are the terms that you should know:
1. Kapatid
- Kapatid refers to one’s sibling in Tagalog.
- It’s not usually used as a form of address to your siblings, unless used in a poetic or very formal manner.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Saan ka pupunta, aking kapatid? | Where are you going, sibling of mine? |
- This can also be used to refer to someone who belongs to a same group as you, similar to how one would say brother or sister to a fellow countryman and the like.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Magkapit-bisig tayo, mga kapatid. | (Literal translation) Let’s link our arms together, my siblings. |
2. Ate, Kuya
- Ate is for one’s address for an older sister while kuya is for one’s older brother.
- Ate and kuya can also be used to address an older relative, an older acquaintance, or even a stranger if you want their attention.
- In Filipino culture, using ate or kuya is a way of showing respect to someone older, even if they’re not part of your family.
3. Panganay
- Panganay refers to the oldest child of the family.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Si Amy ang aming panganay. | Amy is our oldest child. |
4. Pangalawa, Pangatlo, Pang-apat…
- To address the second child up to the second to the last, you would refer to them by their respective ordinal number.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Si John ang pangalawa sa aming magkakapatid. | John is the second child among us siblings. |
5. Bunso
- Bunso refers to the youngest child of the family.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Pakitawag mo nga si bunso. | (Literal translation) Please call in the youngest child. |
6. Unica Hija, Unica Hijo
- This is the Spanish-influenced way of referring to one’s only daughter (unica hija) or only son (unica hijo).
Addressing Grandparents and Grandchildren in Tagalog
Filipinos generally have very close relationships with their grandparents, often showing them deep respect and affection. These are the terms of address between grandparents and grandchildren.
1. Lola, Lolo
- These are the usual terms of address for one’s grandmother (lola) and grandfather (lolo).
2. Apo
- Apo is the term for grandchild in Tagalog and is also the form of address. Its plural form is mga apo.
There’s no Tagalog word for grandparents, so you would simply refer to them as your lolo’t lola (grandfather and grandmother).
Other Extended Family Members In Tagalog
A Filipino immediate family usually also has a close familial bond with their extended family members. It’s common to consider cousins as immediate family, and sometimes they are even referred to as siblings.
1. Tita, Tito
- Tita is how one would address their aunt and tito for uncle.
- There are some variations of this address like tiyo, tiya, tiyuhin, and tiyahin.
2. Pinsan
- Pinsan is used to refer to one’s cousins, but not necessarily as a form of address.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Eto nga pala si Ryan, pinsan ko. | This is Ryan by the way, my cousin. |
- To use it as a form of address, shorten it to Insan.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Insan, kumusta ka na? | Cousin, how are you? |
3. Pamangkin
- Pamangkin is used to refer to and address one’s nephews and nieces. That, or one would simply use their name.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Pamangkin, halika rito. | Nephew/Niece, come here. |
- There is no direct translation for nephews and nieces.
Families-In-Law In Tagalog
In-laws can be complicated, especially when clashing values and culture are involved. Should trust and understanding be established, it creates a wonderful bond that can last generations.
1. Biyenan
- Biyenan is what one would call their mother-in-law or father-in-law.
- It is not often used as a form of address.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Nag-usap kami kanina ng biyenan ko. | I talked to my parent-in-law a while ago. |
2. Manugang
- Manugang is a genderless term for one’s son-in-law or daughter-in-law.
- It is not often used as a form of address.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Napakabait ng manugang ko. | My child-in-law is very nice. |
3. Balae
- Balae is the term for one’s child-in-law’s parents. This is used by the parents of the married couple to refer to each other.
- This is both used to refer to them and as a form of address.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Balae, kumain ka na ba? | (literal translation) Child-in-law’s parent, have you eaten yet? |
4. Bayaw
- Bayaw is what one would call their brother-in-law.
- This is both used to refer to them and as a form of address.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Bayaw, bisita ka naman sa amin minsan. | Brother-in-law, do visit us sometimes. |
5. Hipag
- Hipag is the term for one’s sister-in-law.
- This is both used to refer to them and as a form of address.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Hipag, subukan mo itong diket. | Sister-in-law, try this rice cake. |
Other Family Terms in Tagalog
1. Ninang, Ninong
- Ninang and Ninong are what you would call your godmother and godfather respectively.
- Both are used to refer to and as a form of address.
2. Inaanak
- Inaanak is a genderless term for one’s godchild.
- It is used to refer to and as a form of address.
3. Kinakapatid
- Your kinakapatid is your godparent’s child.
- This is only used to refer to the person.
4. Ninuno
- Your ninuno is your ancestor.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Sabi ni mama ay ninuno daw namin si Jose Rizal. | Mom said that Jose Rizal is our ancestor. |
5. Biyuda, Biyudo
- Biyuda and biyudo are used to refer to a widow and a widower respectively.
- This is not used as a form of address.
Tagalog Terms of Endearment
In the Philippines, terms of endearment extend beyond romantic relationships. These terms are used between friends, family members, and loved ones, reflecting affection and care.
1. Mahal
- Mahal literally means love. It is widely used to express love and affection.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Mahal, samahan mo naman ako. | Love, do accompany me. |
2. Beh or Bhe
- This is a Tagalong slang used as a term of endearment.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Beh, salamat sa pasalubong. | Beh, thank you for the gift. |
3. Darling
- Darling is also used as an endearment, though with a Tagalog accent.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Darling, sayaw tayo. | Darling, let’s dance. |
4. Sinta
- Sinta is an old Tagalog romantic word that means “beloved” or “darling.”
- It’s often seen in Filipino songs and poems, showing the enduring affection for this traditional term.
- Sample sentence:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
Napakaganda ng iyong mga mata, o sinta ko. | Your eyes are so beautiful, oh my beloved. |
Staying Close
It can be confusing at first to learn family-related Tagalog words and endearments. With so many unique titles and phrases, it might seem like a lot to take in, especially if you’re coming from a language with simpler family structures.
However, understanding and using these endearments and Tagalog words for family members is a crucial step in immersing yourself in Filipino culture and building meaningful connections.
In a society that places immense importance on politeness, respect, and familial bonds, mastering these terms is not just a linguistic achievement but a cultural one. Whether you’re addressing a relative, a friend, or even a stranger in a respectful way, knowing these Tagalog words reflects your appreciation of Filipino values.
If you’re having trouble mastering these terms, why not perhaps try Turong Wika?
Turong Wika is a language-learning app designed to help you with conversational Tagalog. It has interactive lessons along with several examples you can use in real-life situations.
The app also has a Practice and a Cheat Sheet feature. Practice is for you to test your current knowledge in an interactive quiz. Meanwhile, the Cheat Sheet is where you have a quick refresher on the things you’ve learned.
Make your interactions more authentic and heartfelt. Scan the code below to download the app now!
Make your interactions more authentic and heartfelt. Click on the button below to download the app now!
