Lambing, sulyap, sinta, and 9 other beautiful Filipino words
Whether you’re fluent in Filipino or still learning, there’s no harm in adding these melodic Filipino words to your dictionary | Photo by Vincentiu Solomon on Unsplash
Every language is beautiful, but some words in Filipino—as the kids say—just hit different. There’s a melody and cadence to the phrases that are spoken in our mother tongue that can’t easily be replicated in other languages.
These words are beautiful for different reasons. Some of them simply have a beautiful cadence, while others sound just like their meaning.
Saying these words out loud feels like savoring a hearty meal or singing an old ballad. Some of these words are older and not commonly used while others are spoken daily. While many Filipinos who speak Filipino take our words for granted, it can be nice to pause and take in the audible beauty in speaking them out loud.
And for those who are just learning Filipino (or want to pick up a few new words), here are some gorgeous expressions that you can add to your personal dictionary.
Alitaptap
Alitaptap translates to “firefly” in English. The word also sounds like the gentle flapping of firefly wings.
Alon
“Alon” translates to “wave” in English. It also sounds like the gentle lapping of waves on the shore.
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Bituin
This is a simple one. “Bituin” means “star” in English. Enunciating each syllable clearly feels like an audible version of the twinkling of stars.
Giliw
This word is for all the romantics out there. “Giliw,” or “beloved” in English, is a word often used in lyrics to refer to a significant other. A few songs that use this word in their lyrics are “Akin ka Na Lang” by Morisette Amon, “Miss Na Miss Kita” by Father and Sons (made popular by the rock band Aegis), and “Sana Maulit Muli” by Gary Valenciano.
Idlip
There’s no single word equivalent for “idlip” in English. Instead, it translates to “to take a nap.” The word also reminds me of the drooping of your eyelids right before you doze off into dreamland.
Kasiyahan
“Kasiyahan” comes from the word “saya,” which means “happiness” or “joy” in English. “Kasiyahan” translates to merriment, pleasure, or happiness depending on the context it’s used in.
Lambing
Lambing has to be one of my all time favorite words. The closest translation in English is “tenderness,” but it’s a little more than that. It’s the action word for soothing comfort and closeness (much like a really good hug) that can’t really be accurately translated. It’s kind of like “kilig” in that sense.
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Malinamnam
When it comes to food, Filipinos have no shortage of how to describe things. “Malinamnam” means “delicious,” but specifically in a savory sense. Saying the word aloud also imitates the action of savoring a bite.
Sarswela
Sarswela isn’t actually a word used in everyday language. It’s a Filipinization of the Spanish word “zarzuela,” which is basically an old Spanish version of a musical. It has the same definition in Filipino but, of course, the material is spoken in Filipino. The plot is also usually romantic in nature.
Sinta
“Sinta” is a word of endearment that translates to “darling” in English. It can also mean “beloved” or “my love.” It’s another word commonly used in song lyrics. One of the most famous songs in the Philippines that features the word is “Sinta” by Aegis. (If you can’t tell by now, I’m a big Aegis fan).
Sulyap
“Sulyap” literally translates to “glance” or “peek” in English, but there’s more nuance to the word than that. The word is usually used in a more loaded context (like peeking at a crush or giving the one you love a once-over), which makes it another common word used in song lyrics (see “Sinta” by Aegis. Again.)
Tadhana
Tadhana, personally, is probably the most beautiful word in Filipino. It simply means “fate” or “destiny.” There’s a certain gravitas that comes with the word. Speaking it aloud sounds much like the loom of fate working to weave lives and stories together. Or maybe I’m just a romantic at heart.
Fun fact: It’s also part of the title of a very popular Filipino movie called “That Thing Called Tadhana” starring Angelica Panganiban and JM de Guzman.
