6 uniquely Filipino pet names you can call your significant other
Filipino terms of endearment can be used as a special way to address your significant other. Here are a few you can try on for size | Photo by Oziel Gómez on Unsplash
Filipino pet names are a breed of their own. Unlike the typical “babe,” “sweetheart,” and “baby,” there’s a certain depth to them that can only be conveyed through their use. The Filipino language has many words for love. It only makes sense that we have a multitude of pet names we can use to address our beloved.
Filipino is the national language, which has adopted words from other languages in the country. The following terms of endearment are Filipino, but they can also be Ilonggo or Bisaya in origin.
So if you’re done with the terms baby, babe, sweetheart, and love, here are some unique Filipino pet names you can call your significant other. Many of these translate to “love,” but they’re all a little different in their own way.
Mahal
“Mahal” is the most basic pet name. It directly translates to the word “love.” Aside from being a pet name for your significant other, it can also be used to call other important people in your life like your children, nieces, nephews, and grandkids. Just don’t call your parents or grandparents mahal—it’s kind of weird.
Sinta
“Sinta” is a more vintage (or old-fashioned, if we’re being honest) term of endearment. It’s a word you always hear in songs, but I haven’t heard anyone use it in real life to call their partner. It’s a beautiful word fit for a beautiful person (yieee!).
Amor
Yes, “amor” is a Spanish word, but we were also under Spanish colonial rule for over 300 years. Thanks to that (not so) fun fact, we get to claim “amor” as a part of our language. There’s something intrinsically fiery about using the word amor as a pet name. Maybe it’s because Spanish is a romantic language, or maybe I’m just projecting.
Palangga (shortened as langga or ’ga)
Palangga is also used to address young children | Photo by Reynardo Etenia Wongso on Unsplash
“Palangga” is a Swiss Army knife of a term of endearment. It’s a Hiligaynon and Bisaya word that translates to “my beloved,” which means you can use it for anyone you really care about. Aside from significant others, it’s also commonly used to address young children. If anyone calls you “palangga,” “langga,” or “’ga,” that means they really care about you.
Higugma (shortened as gugma)
“Higugma” is a Bisaya word that translates to “love.” It goes a little deeper than that though. It describes a deep, romantic affection that encompasses a desperate and all-consuming love you have for another person. Intense.
Giliw
Surprise! “Giliw” is another word that is used to describe “love” in Tagalog. The sound it makes though gives off a more hopeful and layered type of love versus words like “mahal.” It’s also not commonly used in daily language but oftentimes included in Filipino songs about love.
You might recognize it if you’re a Morisette fan. It’s the word she sings in “Akin Ka Nalang” right before she hits that monster of a whistle note.
