*The list is expanding, thus more words will be added in the coming days.
Check this thread regularly for the additional false friends.*
List last updated: a total of 144 words with 14 additional words as of June 18, 2008

One factor that creates problems in communications between the speakers of different Philippine languages are the terms called false friends. False friends are words in two languages or dialects that look and/or sound similar, but differ in meaning. False friends could also be called false cognates. For example, British English uses “fish and chips” for a popular takeaway food in UK but for American English speakers, they called the food “fish and fries” for chips has a different meaning to them.

In Philippine languages wherein 180+ local languages or dialects are being used, there are a number of examples where a word in one language will have a greatly different meaning in another language. Being unfamiliar with these false friends might cause miscommunications which happened in numerous cases in conversations between different Filipino tribes.

Some false friends might differ in pronunciations, though.


A

abot

• In Tagalog, this means to reach out.
• In Ilocano, this means a hole.

aga

• In Tagalog, this means early.
• In Cebuano, this means morning.

agas

• In Tagalog, this means flowing or bleeding.
• In Ilocano, this means medicine.

agi

• In Cebuano, this means to pass by.
• In Hiligaynon, this means a gay person or hermaphrodite.
• In Kapampangan, this means a spider web.

apa

• In Tagalog, this means ice cream cone.
• In Ilocano, this means to fight.

aso

• In Tagalog, this means dog.
• In Cebuano, this means smoke.

awat

• In Tagalog, this means to prevent from fighting.
• In Ilocano, this means to understand.

awit

• In Tagalog, this means to sing or a song.
• In Ilocano, this means to carry.

B

bakukang

• In Cebuano, this means a cockroach or beetle.
• In Ilocano, this means a nasty wound that takes a long time to heal.

balak

• In Tagalog, this means a plan.
• In Cebuano, this means a poem or verse.

balon

• In Tagalog, this means a well.
• In Ilocano, this means a packed food, either for a meal or snack that one will bring in school, in the office or in travel. It could also be one's allowance.

bao.

• In Tagalog, this means coconut shell.
• In Ilocano, this means rat or mouse.

bara

• In Tagalog, this means an obstacle, bar or blockage.
• In Ilocano, this means hot.

baro

• In Tagalog and Cebuano, this means a clothing apparel.
• In Ilocano, this means new. It could also be a single male.

basol

• In Hiligaynon, this means chide or scold.
• In Ilocano, this means sin or transgression.

bati

• In Tagalog, this means to greet or congratulate.
• In Cebuano, this means ugly.
• In Hiligaynon, this means to overhear.

baybay

• In Tagalog, this means to spell.
• In Cebuano and Ilocano, this means beach or seashore.

bilin

• In Tagalog, this means to share something.
• In Cebuano, this means to left something or someone.

bitaw

• In Tagalog, this means to let go of something.
• In Cebuano, this means "oh yes" or agreed.

bitin

• In Tagalog, this means short or hanging.
• In Cebuano and Hiligaynon, this means snake or python.

bomba

• In Tagalog, this means a bomb. Colloquially, it could mean nude or naked or it could pertain to adult films or adult stars.
• In Ilocano, this means an artesian well.

bugas

• In Cebuano, this means pimple.
• In Hiligaynon, this means a rice grain.

buhat

• In Tagalog, this means to lift.
• In Cebuano, this means to make or one's work or deed.

bukid

• In Tagalog, this means field or farm.
• In Cebuano, Waray and Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, this means hill or mountain.

bulag

• In Tagalog and Kapampangan, this means blind.
• In Cebuano and Hiligaynon, this means to separate or divorce or go apart or to give up.

bulak

• In Tagalog, this means cotton.
• In Cebuano, this means flowers.

bulong

• In Tagalog, this means to whisper
• In Cebuano, this means to seek or look.
• In Hiligaynon, this means medicine.
• In Ilocano, this means a leaf.

C

D

daan

• In Tagalog, this means a road. It could also be a hundred.
• In Ilocano, this means old stuff.

daga

• In Tagalog, this means rat.
• In Ilocano, this means land or soil.

dagan

• In Tagalog, this means to weigh down.
• In Cebuano, this means to run or to race.

damo

• In Tagalog, this means grass or weed.
• In Hiligaynon, this means plenty or increase.

dampa

• In Tagalog, this means a hut.
• In Cebuano, this means a game using hands and rubber bands.

dapo

• In Tagalog, this means to land on.
• In Ilocano, this means ash.

diin

• In Tagalog, this means putting an emphasis or to push in.
• In Hiligaynon, this means where.

diri

• In Tagalog, this means loathing.
• In Cebuano, this means here.

doon *kinda confusing, eh! lol*

• In Tagalog, this means over there.
• In Hiligaynon or Kinaray-a, this means over here.

dukot

• In Tagalog, this means to snatch, kidnap or seize unexpectedly.
• In Cebuano, this means burnt rice.

dula

• In Tagalog, this means a stage play.
• In Cebuano, this means a game.
• In Hiligaynon, this means a thing that is lost.

E

F

G

gamot

• In Tagalog, this means medicine.
• In Cebuano and Waray, this means roots of plants.

ginhawa

• In Tagalog, this means comfort or comfortable.
• In Cebuano, this means to breathe.

ginoo.

• In Tagalog, this the term used for any male of higher rank or is older to denote respect. It's equivalent in English is sir.
• In Cebuano, this means the Lord God.

gulang

• In Tagalog, this means one's age.
• In Cebuano, this means mature or ripe.

H

habol

• In Tagalog, this means pursue.
• In Cebuano or Hiligaynon, this means blanket, or it could also mean dulled. For example, dulled knife. The usage depends on the sentence construction and pronunciation.

haluan

• In Tagalog, this means to mix with or to dilute with.
• In Cebuano, this means mudfish.

hawa

• In Tagalog, this means to infect or is contagious.
• In Cebuano, this means go away or leave.

hilo

• In Tagalog, this means becoming nauseous.
• In Cebuano and Hiligaynon, this means poison or thread. The usage depends on the sentence construction and pronunciation.

hilom

• In Tagalog, this means to heal.
• In Cebuano, this means quiet.

hubad

• In Tagalog, this means naked.
• In Cebuano, this means translate.
• In Hiligaynon, this means unknot or untie.

I

igat

• In Tagalog, this means an eel.
• In Cebuano, this has shades of meaning of the word flirt and showoff.

ilog

• In Tagalog, this means river.
• In Cebuano, this means grabbing against ones will.
• In Hiligaynon this means copying or cheating.

irog

• In Tagalog, this means loved ones.
• In Cebuano, this means move over.

ibon

• In Tagalog, this means bird.
• In Kapampangan, this means egg (but I think this is spelled as "ebon".)

J

K

kabaw.

• In Cebuano, this means carabao.
• In Ilocano, this means senile or forgetfulness.

kabo

• In Tagalog, this means corporal.
• In Hiligaynon, this means a dipper or scoop.

kadyot.

• In Tagalog, this means copulate.
• In Cebuano, this means a moment.

kamao

• In Tagalog, this means fist.
• In Cebuano, this means knows how.

kambyo.

• In Tagalog, this means the car's stick shift or gear.
• In Cebuano, this means one's change when paying or it could also be exchange of items or thoughts.

kamot

• In Tagalog, this means to scratch.
• In Cebuano, this means hands.

kanduli

• In Tagalog, this means catfish.
• In Maranao, this means a lavish thanksgiving celebration.

karon *This will have confusing scenario if the speakers are not familiar with each others language. lol!*

• In Cebuano, this means now.
• In Hiligaynon, this means later.

katok

• In Tagalog, this means knock on door.
• In Cebuano and Hiligaynon, this means silly or senseless
• In Ilocano, this means crazy or have mentally disability.

katay

• In Tagalog, this means to butcher.
• In Ilocano, this means saliva.

katol

• In Tagalog, this means a mosquito coil.
• In Cebuano, this means itch or itchiness.

kayat

• In Cebuano, this means copulate
• In Ilocano, this means like.

kayo

• In Tagalog, this means you.
• In Ilocano, this means tree, wood or firewood.

kibot

• In Tagalog, this means throb.
• In Hiligaynon, this means frightened.

kikay

• In Tagalog, this means different shades of being vain. It could also mean a person who puts a priority on the self when it comes to spending, from fashion to beauty products; love of entertainment from movies, music and great food, etc. (Read this article, for clarification: This kikay is more than what you think)
• In Ilocano, this means a kind of grass.

kita

• In Tagalog, this means one's income or salary or profit.
• In Cebuano, this means us or we.

kumot

• In Tagalog, this means blanket
• In Cebuano and Waray, this means to crumple

kuyog.

• In Tagalog, this means a gang or a legion.
• In Cebuano, this means to go with.

L

laban

• In Tagalog, this means against or opposed to.
• In Cebuano, this means in support of.
• In Hiligaynon, this means greater or more of.

labas

• In Tagalog, this means outside or exterior.
• In Ilocano, this means to pass by.

labo

• In Tagalog, this means blurry.
• In Hiligaynon, this means to cut or slash.

lagay

• In Tagalog, this means put.
• In Cebuano or Hiligaynon, this means male genitals.
• In Waray, this means mud.

lagi

• In Tagalog, this means always.
• In Cebuano, this means agreed.

laglag

• In Tagalog, this means to fall down or to exterminate.
• In Ilocano, this means a person with no sense.

lahi

• In Tagalog, this means a race, nationality or ancestry.
• In Cebuano, this means different or diverse.

laki

• In Tagalog, this means big in terms of size.
• In Cebuano, this means a male.

langgam

• In Tagalog, this means ant.
• In Cebuano, this means bird.

lantsa

• In Cebuano, this means ferry boat or motor boat.
• In Ilocano, this means nail (the one used in carpentry).

laswa

• In Tagalog, this means something that is lewd, vulgar or indecent.
• In Hiligaynon, this is a dish of mixed vegetables steamed with dried shrimps and bagoong (a salty, fermented sauce or paste made from small shrimps or fish a.k.a. anchovy sauce).

lata

• In Tagalog, this means a tin or can.
• In Cebuano, this means rotten or spoiled.

laya

• In Tagalog, this means freedom, independence or liberty.
• In Ilocano, this means ginger.

libang

• In Tagalog and Waray, this means do leisurely things.
• In Cebuano, this means defecate.
• In Hiligaynon, this means to babysit or to entertain.

libog

• In Tagalog, this means lust.
• In Cebuano and Hiligaynon, this means to be confused.

lingin

• In Cebuano, this means round.
• In Hiligaynon, this means dizzy.

lingkod

• In Tagalog, this means to serve or service.
• In Cebuano, this means to seat down.

lipat

• In Tagalog, this means to transfer.
• In Cebuano, this means mislook.

lipong

• In Cebuano, this means dizzy.
• In Hiligaynon, this means fainted.

lubong

• In Cebuano, this means burial, funeral or grave.
• In Ilocano, this means universe.

luglog

• In Tagalog, this means to rinse clothes by shaking in the water.
• In Cebuano, this means a type of noodle dish commonly known in other parts of the country as pancit palabok.
• In Ilocano, this means to play on water.

lukat

• In Cebuano, this means to redeem.
• In Ilocano, this means to open.

lungsod

• In Tagalog, this means city.
• In Cebuano, this means a community or town.

lupa

• In Tagalog, this means soil or land.
• In Kapampangan, this means the face.

luwas

• In Tagalog, this means to go to or to travel.
• In Cebuano, this means to be free or saved.

luya

• In Tagalog, this means ginger.
• In Cebuano, this means weak.

M

N

O

P

paa

• In Tagalog, this means foot
• In Cebuano or Hiligaynon, this means leg.

pagod

• In Tagalog and Hiligaynon, this means tired.
• In Cebuano, this means burnt or scorched.

palit

• In Tagalog, this means change or exchange.
• In Cebuano, this means buy.

pagong

• In Tagalog, this means turtle.
• In Hiligaynon, this means frog.

panakot

• In Tagalog, this means some object that will scare people off like a scaecrow or bugbear.
• In Cebuano, this means a spice or ingredient.

pating

• In Tagalog and Cebuano, this means shark.
• In Hiligaynon, this means dove or pigeon.

patong

• In Tagalog, this means ones mark up in sales.
• In Ilocano, this means hips.

pila

• In Tagalog, this means to fall in line.
• In Cebuano, this means how much or how many.

pilas

• In Cebuano, this means rashes.
• In Hiligaynon, this means either a small or big wound.

piso

• In general, this means peso. The Philippine currency, peso.
• In Cebuano, this means a chick.

pukaw

• In Cebuano, this means to awaken.
• In Ilocano, this means to be lost.

puli

• In Tagalog, this means inherited trait.
• In Cebuano, this means an alternate or proxy.
• In Hiligaynon, this means to go home.

pulo

• In Tagalog, this means an island.
• In Cebuano, this means the number ten (10).

punit

• In Tagalog, this means to tear, as in paper.
• In Cebuano, this means to pick.

Q

R

S

saan

• In Tagalog, this means where.
• In Ilocano, this means no.

sabong

• In Tagalog, this mean cockfight.
• In Ilocano, this means flowers.

sabot

• In Cebuano, this means to understand.
• In Hiligaynon, this means pubic hair.

sadya.

• In Tagalog, this means one's purpose or mission.
• In Cebuano, this means rejoice, cheer or lively.

saka

• In Tagalog, this means to farm.
• In Cebuano, this means to climb, in terms of prices or staircase.
• In Ilocano, this means foot or barefoot.

sakop

• In Tagalog, this means jurisdiction or domination.
• In Cebuano, this means someone under you like a member or a henchman .

sala

• In Tagalog, this means living room or it could be the term for lacking. The usage depends on the pronunciation.
• In Ilocano, this means to dance.

sangit

• In Cebuano, this means snagged.
• In Ilocano, this means to cry.

sapot

• In Tagalog, this means spiderweb.
• In Cebuano, this means grouchy.

siga

• In Tagalog, this means a goon.
• In Cebuano, this means glowing or a fire.

silaw

• In Cebuano, this means the beam of light or the gleam.
• In Ilocano, this means the source of light like a candle or a lamp.

sili

• In Tagalog and Cebuano, this means chili.
• In Waray, this means penis.
• In Hiligaynon, this means eel.

sisi

• In Tagalog, this means repentance.
• In Cebuano and Panggalatok, this means oyster

subay

• In Cebuano, this means to follow.
• In Hiligaynon, this means an ant.

sugo

• In Tagalog, this means to be one's ambassador or representative.
• In Cebuano, this means to order or to decree or to mandate.

suko

• In Tagalog, this means to surrender.
• In Cebuano, this means to get angry.

suya

• In Tagalog, this means unpleasant.
• In Cebuano, this means envious.

T

tabi

• In Tagalog, this means on the side or beside.
• In Cebuano, this means to talk.

tambal

• In Tagalog, this means to be paired up.
• In Cebuano, this means medicine or remedy.

talon

• In Tagalog, this means to jump or it could be waterfalls. The usage depends on the pronunciation.
• In Ilocano, this means to till a land or to farm.

tanan

• In Tagalog, this means to elope.
• In Cebuano and Hiligaynon, this means everyone.

tapak

• In Tagalog and Hiligaynon, this means to step on.
• In Cebuano, this means to patch a hole.

taya

• In Tagalog, this means stake in gambling or someone who will pay for the bill.
• In Cebuano, this means rust or stake in gambling.

tete

• In Tagalog, this means mammary glands.
• In Kapampangan, this means bridge.

titi

• In Tagalog, this means penis
• In Cebuano and Hiligaynon, this means breasts.

toyo *take note that these two condiments are part of Filipino cuisine so it's pretty hilarious to ask for "toyo" when one is conversing with an Ilonggo.*

• In Tagalog, this means soy sauce.
• In Hiligaynon, this means fish sauce.

tulo

• In Tagalog and Hiligaynon, this means drip.
• In Cebuano or Waray, this means the number three (3).

tuon

• In Hiligaynon, this means to learn or to study.
• In Ilocano, this means to place on top or place over.

U

uban

• In Cebuano, this means other.
• In Ilocano, this means gray hair.

upa

• In Tagalog, this means rent.
• In Cebuano, this means mating.

usa

• In Tagalog and Hiligaynon, this means deer.
• In Cebuano or Waray, this means the number one (1).

usap

• In Tagalog, this means to talk.
• In Cebuano or Hiligaynon, this means to chew.

utong

• In Tagalog, this means nipple.
• In Cebuano, this means to hold one’s breath.
• In Ilocano, this means string beans.

V

W

wala

• In Tagalog, Cebuano and Hiligaynon, this means nothing.
• In Pangasinense, this means there is.
• In Cebuano, this means left side.

X

Y

Z


Notes:

• Please help in enriching this list. If you have more Filipino false terms, kindly post it here.
• The threadmaker is not that fluent in a number of Philippine languages. If errors are incurred, please do not hesitate to give corrections and constructive criticisms.
• If you have further questions, post your queries, comments, appreciations here…

Have fun learning Filipino languages!!!

Toyo
in tagalog means soysauce
in ilonggo means fishsauce

You know what... I was thinking of the same thing before logging in! rofl... The conversations for this is pretty hilarious!

... oh! and I've added:
tanan, labo, and bulag... and agi

yea! you're right its pretty hilarious, ive been a victim once that's why i remember it..lol. until now im so confussed with this toyo word whenever im with ilonggo friends.

I've updated the list above with the following words:

balak, balon, baro, bilin, damo, dapo, katay, katol, kayo, kita, laki, lahi, lata, siga, taya


An update (18 March):
I've added these words:
daan, lungsod, pulo, punit, sapot, silaw, uban

how about this..

Tao - person (in general)
Tao - give (in hiligaynon)

Thanks so much this will help me one day

More words are added (4 April):
aga, bao, diin, diri, dukot, haluan, ginoo, gulang, kabaw, kambyo, kuyog, labas, piso, sadya, sisi

... and more words (18 April):
abot, awat, bati, baybay, dagan, doon, ginhawa, hilom, kamao, kibot, laglag, lubong, lupa, luwas, luya, pila, pukaw, sugo, suko, suya, tabi, tambal

now im confused..is toyo fish sauce ?? i thought its patis??
toyo - soy sauce??

New words added:
agas, bara, basol

rofl... Yes, toyo is fish sauce for the Ilonggos, but in general, toyo means soy sauce... That is why it's kinda confusing if a Tagalog lives in Negros or is living with an Ilonggo and vice versa...


edit: (as of May 25, 2008)
I've added the words: igat, kikay, and lantsa.