AMERICAN VS FILIPINO ENGLISH / English Words And Phrases That Have A Different Meaning

Pea covers two categories of linguistic landmines between American and Filipino English: Tagalog words that have no English equivalent (and are surprisingly useful), and common English words that mean something completely different in the Philippines — some of which can get you slapped or horrify your girlfriend's parents.

What's Covered ​

• Tagalog words with no English translation

  • Gigil — the urge to squeeze something irresistibly cute (a kitten, a baby's cheeks); Pea is surprised there's no English equivalent since "sooner or later everyone has the urge to gigil"
  • Namamahay — the feeling of being too uncomfortable in a new place to fall asleep; Pea jokes this is strange to have a word for since "a Filipino can sleep on the back of a moving motorbike with five other people singing the Macarena in his ears"
  • Basta — equivalent to "because I said so"; conversation ender, no further discussion; "you may hear that word used frequently when questioning your Filipina about her past"
  • Muta — eye boogers/sleep crust; Pea notes Filipinos are "really economical when it concerns body issues"
  • Tinga — food stuck between your teeth; embarrassing to point out, so don't count on anyone telling you — "you could be walking around with a chunk of pork adobo between your molars all day"
  • Amos — a sloppy eater with food on their face after a meal
  • Anghit — armpit odor; "so if you have muta, tinga, amos, and anghit, I will not be accepting your next invitation to dinner or anywhere else"
  • Panghei — the smell of urine; common on hot afternoons in Cebu or Manila since "Filipinos will often relieve themselves against walls"
  • Aberya — an unexpected problem that delays or cancels plans; Pea says aberyas are very common in the Philippines and jokes: "I think I just solved the mystery of Filipino time"

• English words that mean something completely different in the Philippines

  • Slippers = flip-flops, not house slippers; Filipinos wear them everywhere, even to work; "we often wonder why Cinderella had glass flip-flops"
  • Napkin = sanitary feminine pad, not a dinner napkin; asking your girlfriend if she needs a napkin after spilling food will get "a very strange look"
  • Colgate = toothpaste (any brand); the most popular brand became the generic term
  • Cotton buds = Q-tips; Filipinos have no idea what "Q-tips" are, and "cotton swab" sounds like medical supplies
  • CR (comfort room) = bathroom/restroom; Pea notes the Western term "bathroom" is odd since "there's usually no bath in there," and "comfort room" is equally misleading since "anyone who's used a Filipino bathroom can tell you there's not much comfort to be found in there"
  • Slang = accent (not informal phrases); if a Filipino says they can't understand your slang, they mean your accent is too thick
  • Nosebleed = being overwhelmed trying to understand English; used when someone speaks too quickly, has a heavy accent, or isn't making sense; "nosebleeds are common when talking to a foreigner"
  • Maniac = sexual pervert, not just a wild/crazy person; "don't tell your Filipina you're a maniac on the dance floor or she'll think you were pinching girls' butts"
  • Tomboy = lesbian, not a sporty girl; if you call your girlfriend's little sister a "tomboy" in front of her parents, "congratulations, you just called the little girl a lesbian"
  • Salad = macaroni salad or fruit salad, not a green/lettuce salad; "very few Filipinos eat raw lettuce — to us, that's cow food"; even hamburgers rarely have a single leaf of lettuce
  • Open/close the light = turn on/turn off the light; Pea acknowledges it doesn't make sense: "I'm just here to report this stuff, not to pass judgment"
  • Salvage = to kill, not to save/rescue; telling your Filipina you want to "salvage the relationship" will terrify her — "unless of course she was just about to tell you about her other boyfriend"
  • Chance it = to make unwanted sexual advances, not to take a risk; telling your Filipina you'll "chance it" with the new housekeeper will get you slapped
  • Hostess = prostitute, not a restaurant greeter; the woman who seats you at a restaurant is called a "receptionist" — "unless you're expecting an incredible amount of service from the woman who shows you to your table"

• The video ends with a comedy skit where Pea role-plays a restaurant interaction demonstrating how all these misunderstandings chain together — a foreigner asks for a napkin, the waitress thinks he wants a feminine pad, he asks for the bathroom, she thinks he wants to bathe, he says he'll "chance it," she thinks he's making sexual advances, and both parties are completely confused

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