8 Bikolano Words
that Mean
Totally Different Things
in Tagalog

By Pi Palaganas-Orillosa

Filipino or Tagalog is the primary language in the Philippines. But we have 19 recognized languages, and Bikolano is one of them. And Bikolano, while it’s soothing and malambing-sounding, it’s one of those languages that can make you feel a bit uncomfortable. The region has words that some of us won’t even dare to say out loud.

Except when you know what they mean, that is.

Tagalog: Si Pepe ay malibog.
(Pepe is a pervert.)

Bikol: Malibogon ang sakuyang pag-iling
(I have a poor eye sight.)

Def. Tag. Daga (the animal itself)
Eng. Translation: Rat; mouse

Def. Bik. Lupa
Eng. Translation: Soil; land; lot
Use it in a sentence:

Tagalog: May daga sa ilalim ng kama.
(There’s a mouse under the bed.)

Bikol: Dae ngani magparatam-ac sa daga.
(Stop stepping on the soil.)

Def. Tag. Panira (sira=rootword); lait
Eng. Translation: Hearsay; malicious info; wrecker; ruin; unfit

Def. Bik. Ulam
Eng. Translation: Dish

Use it in a sentence:

Tagalog: Walang mabuting madudulot ang paninira sa kapwa.
(Gossiping won’t do anyone any good.)

Bikol: Masiram ang panira.
(This dish is delicious.)

Def. Tag. Bakal
Eng. Translation: Metal

Def. Bik. Bili
Eng. Translation: buy; purchase

Use it in a sentence:

Tagalog: Bakal ang pundasyon ng gusali.
(They used metal as the building’s foundation.)

Bikol: Mabakal akong sapatos.
(I will buy shoes.)

Def. Tag. Sira
Eng. Translation: Broken

Def. Bik. Isda
Eng. Translation: Fish

Use it in a sentence:

Tagalog: Sira na ang relo ko.
(My watch is broken.)

Bikol: Mahal ang sira ngunyan.
(Fish is expensive today.)

Def. Tag. Sabon
Eng. Translation: Soap

Def. Bik. Balita
Eng. Translation: News

Use it in a sentence:

Tagalog: Bumili si Inday ng bareta sa tindahan
(Inday bought soap from the store)

Bikol: Mararaot gabos na bareta ngunyan.
(There’s nothing but bad news today.)

Def. Tag. Minatamis na gata ng niyog
Eng. Translation: coconut curds/coconut caramel

Def. Bik. Biro;
Eng. Translation: joke; make fun of; tease

Use it in a sentence:

Tagalog: Masarap ang suman latik nila.
(Their suman latik is delicious.)

Bikol: Mayong nagibo si Joey sa latik ni Jessa.
(Joey was caught off guard by Jessa’s teasing.)

Def. Tag. Prepusyo ng ari ng lalaki
Eng. Translation: the glans penis

Def. Bik. Lasing
Eng. Translation: drunk

Use it in a sentence:

Tagalog: Kinagat sya ng langgam sa burat.
(An ant bit him in the penis.)

Bikol: Burat si Peter kasubanggi.
(Peter was drunk last night.)

This is just a tiny proof of how rich our vocabulary is. If you’re going to travel in Bicolandia, make sure you learn other words (i.e. lobot, botog, and the very timely boto).