Filipino Idiomatic Expression

Idiomatic Expressions (idioms) in the Filipino Language or "Mga sawikain o kawikaang

Tagalog" are part of the way of using the Filipino language and these comes naturally to its native
speakers. An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be determined by the literal definition of the
phrase itself, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through common use.
Filipino Idioms are part of the Philippine Literature that has been passed on from generation to
generation.
Idioms are probably the hardest thing for a person to learn in the process of learning a new
language. Here are the list of the well-known Filipino Idiomatic Expressions that begins in letter Y.
Clicking an idiom link will open a page that shows its definition, example use in setence, synonyms,
antonyms, etc. and bilingual version (text in the original Philippine language and the English
translation) are given in order to make them accessible to an international readership.

naglahong parang bula - disappeared without a trace

Ang taong pinagkatiwalaan niya ng pera ay naglahong parang bula. The person to whom he
entrusted the money disappeared without a trace.
basang sisiw - woeful or pitiful
Nagmukhang basang sisiw ang mga heneral sa harap ng hari. The generals looked woeful in
front of the king.
walang humpay - sustained
Ang walang humpay na buhos ng ulan ay nagdulot ng matinding pagbaha. The sustained
pouring of rain caused severe flooding.
pagtahak sa mundong ibabaw - on one's journey in life
Hindi tayo dapat mawalan ng pagasa sa ating pagtahak sa mundong ibabaw. We should
never lose hope in our life's journey.
di magkamayaw - everything is pandemonium
Di magkamayaw ang mga tao nang dumating ang hinihintay na idolo. Everything was
pandemonium when the idol being awaited arrived.
pumanaw na - had died already
Pareho nang pumanaw ang kanyang mga magulang. Both of his parents had died already.
walang silbi - good for nothing
Mahirap maging isang taong walang silbi. It's difficult for a person to be good for nothing.
nagsaulian ng kandila - friendhip is broken
Nagsaulian na ng kandila ang dalawang magkaibigan. The two friends had broken their
friendship.

ilaw ng tahanan - light of the home

Ang ating mga ina ang nagsisilbing ilaw ng ating tahanan. Our mothers are the ones who
serve as the light of our homes.
kapit sa patalim - literally clasping the blade, idiomatically means swallowing the bitter pill
Ang taong nagigipit ay karaniwang kailangang kumapit sa patalim. A person in dire need
ordinarily has to swallow the bitter pill.
matapang ang apog - immune to criticism by others
Ang hiya ay kadalasang wala sa bokabularyo ng taong matapang ang apog. Shame is often
not in the vocabulary of someone immune to criticism.
kalapating mababa ang lipad - prostitute
Naglipana na naman sa lansangan ang mga kalapating mababa ang lipag. Prostitutes are
again roaming the streets.
dagok ng kapalaran - misfortune
Ang pagpanaw ng ating magulang ay isang malaking dagok ng kapalaran. The death of our
parents was a great misfortune.
nilimas ang bahay - almost everything was taken by the robbers
Nilimas ng mga magnanakaw ang bahay. The robbers took almost everything from the
house.
pag pumuti na ang uwak - literally when the crow turns white, idiomatically almost
impossible
Maaari lamang kitang ibigin kapag pumuti na ang uwak. It is hopelessly impossible for me to
love you.
matilamsikan - to partake of small tokens from someone's great benefit
Hindi man lang tayo natilamsikan ng kanyang panalo sa lotto. We had not even received any
token benefit from his winnings on the lottery.