Filipino words with no exact English translations (TWIST version)

There was this interesting blog post from 8List which lists several Filipino words that don't translate directly to English. It was actually written a year ago, but I didn't get to come across it until a friend forwarded a link to me a couple of weeks ago. That list included words such as "sayang" and "tampo."

It was an intriguing read, one that has got me thinking of other Pinoy words that belong to that list. I'm sure there are more, even after the same website enumerated eight more words several months after the first set came out. This one included "pektus" and "alimpungatan."

I love that the list shows how quirky the Filipino language is. Ultimately, these words are a reflection of us, as people. I'm no language expert (Filipino or English), but I do read a lot. 

So, without further ado, in the tradition of the first two blog posts, I'm listing down eight more Pinoy words that have no direct English translation. If you think of something else, please feel free to sound off in the comments section below. Enjoy! :)   

8. Para

          The word "para" could mean several things in the Filipino language. Most commonly, it is uttered when someone on board a passenger bus, cab, or jeep wants to tell the driver (or the conductor) to stop the vehicle so he or she could go down. To wit, "Manong, para po sa tabi!" (Driver, please pull over so I could go down).           
          The same word is also used to refer to hailing a vehicle:"Kuya, i-para mo nga ako ng taxi." (Mister, please get me a cab). But when you're standing on the street waiting for a bus, jeep, or cab to arrive, there's no need to actually say "para." A hand gesture (like a little wave) indicating you're interested to board the vehicle is enough.
          PS: Please do not confuse this word with "parang" which is most commonly used to state similarities such as "Parang kaboses siya ng pinsan ko." (He/She sounds like my cousin).

English translation: The closest English term that captures this word is "hail" as in "to hail a cab." But you don't use the word "hail" to stop the vehicle now, do you? 

7. Partida                    
          This word is more commonly used during games, contests or competition. It refers to one party having an advantage over the other. But more than stating how one team has an edge, the term can be used to connote a tinge of boastfulness, confidence, bravery, false modesty, or even humor. It all depends on how one says it; the context it is said; and the relationship between speaker and recipient of the message.
          For example, a player might say "Partida na, wala pa akong tulog nyan ha!" . It's like telling the opposing side that "Hey, I haven't slept yet but look how good I'm doing anyway." It could be a cute joke or a strong statement of challenge or just good old taunting.

English translation: The term "to heck if you've got an advantage" comes to mind when thinking of the closest English translation for partida. 

6. Baon          
          Isn't it funny how we've been using this word since we were toddlers yet only now realized that no word in the English language could quite capture its essence? Our moms have been giving us baon--food, money, or the more intangible love--since our school days. Up to this day, our friends would wish us farewell with "pabaon na dasal" when we're going out of town.
          A common use for the word in a sentence: "Anong baon mo bukas?" ("What are you bringing to school/office tomorrow?) or "Pahingi naman ako nyang baon mo."  ("I want to have some of that.)
          PS: Please do not confuse this word with "baon" as in "to burry." Example, "Saan mo ba ibinaon ang ginto?" ("Where did you burry the gold?). While both Filipino words are spelled the same, the difference is in the stress and intonation.

English translation: Baon could refer to many things, but it refers more commonly to food or snack. So the closest English term would be "any food (or whatever item) you're bringing with you" on a trip.

5. Bakas          
          This Filipino word is more commonly used to express intent to have a share or stake of something; or to partner with someone in a venture. For example, a friend who knows you're about to go into a profitable business might tell you: "Pare, pa-bakas naman sa negosyo." (Brother, I'd like to have a stake in your business).
          While "stake" pretty much gets the gist, I'd say "bakas" has a more personal tone to it that the former fails to account for. 
          PS: Please do not confuse this word with "bakas" as in "mark of" something.

English translation: The closest English term for bakas is "stake" or "share" of something. However, if we're going to translate "share" to Filipino, the more accurate equivalent would be "salo" or "bahagi." 

4. Bato
          At one point in your childhood, you had probably played piko, teks, or holen. All of these games, among many others, need a ""bato" or "pambato" which is the single best item among the bunch which someone fields in hopes of winning whatever game they were playing.
          "Pambato" has a more direct English translation with "bet" when it is used to refer to a person, say, for example: "Si MJ Lastimosa ang pambato ng Pilipinas sa Ms Universe ngayong taon." ("MJ Lastimosa is Philippines' bet to this year's Ms Universe competition.")
          PS: Please do not confuse bato with the Filipino term for "rock." While they are both spelled similarly, they are pronounced differently.

English translation: As mentioned above, the closest translation in English for bato is "bet". I'm not too sure, but perhaps "it" may also be used, depending on the situation.

3. Halumbaba
          "Halumbaba" is the Filipino word that refers to the act of putting your head in your hand, or more specifically your chin to your knuckles ("naka-halumbaba"). It's a gesture that an individual does usually when he or she is lonely or in a daydream-like state.
           Many people believe that maintaining this position is an unlucky gesture, especially when done in the dining table. "Huwag ka nga mag-halumbaba, malas yan!" ("Don't put your head on your hand, that's bad luck!")

English translation: Try as I may, no single word comes to mind when thinking of the English equivalent of this word. The closest term would be "putting your head in your hand." 

2. Pasalubong
          "Pasalubong" is a Filipino word that describes something we give to someone as token of remembrance when we go to a faraway place, either for leisure or work. A "pasalubong" is supposed to bring home the essence of the place where an individual just came from. This explains why many people collect refrigerator magnets or key chains inscribed with names of places like "Cebu" or "Hong Kong." 
          Each place has, more or less, its own unique pasalubong. For example, when you go to Laguna, people expect you to bring home "buko pie." When you go to Bohol, it's "peanut kisses." When you go to Baguio, better make sure you take home strawberries with you.
          It's so common to hear someone say, "Ui, pupunta ka daw ng Bicol? Pasalubong ko ha!" (Hey, I heard you're going to Bicol. Don't forget to bring me home a souvenir."
          "Pasalubong," in many ways, is the opposite of "baon." While "baon" is something we give to an individual when someone is to travel, "pasalubong" is the item brought to us by someone when he or she comes home from a journey.

English translation: While "souvenir" works fine many times as an English translation, it's not exactly 100% accurate. To wit, while a picture could be a souvenir, it will never pass as a pasalubong--which most of the time is food, but could be anything from sculpture to handicrafts.

1. Basta
          This Filipino term fascinates me to no end. It's a word that could be used so many ways. Most commonly, people utter "basta" when they couldn't come up with just the right word to explain something. To wit, someone might ask you why you love your boyfriend so much, even though he's not the best-looking guy in town. You might say: "Ewan ko din, basta!" (I don't know either, I just do!)
          Interestingly, "basta" could also translate to English in a rather different way with "as long as". A famous Filipino song is titled "Basta't kasama kita" which would translate as "As long as you're with me."
          
English translation: The closest English term that encapsulates basta is the phrase "it is what it is." The addition of the word "just" may help convey basta in conversation. And as mentioned above, basta could also translate to "as long as."  

PS: I am not connected with 8List in any way. I am merely someone who read their posts about Filipino words with no direct English translation and got inspired to expand the list. :)