Prepositions often differ between American and Filipino English:
Americanism
She is good at physics
Let's order a pizza.
Can you cope with your stress?
Let's discuss corruption
It will result in more problems.
Based on the evidence, I agree.
Let's watch the movie.
I'm sick of travelling all the time.
I agree with her.
I am bound for Manila.
Please fill out the form.
I studied with Professor Garcia
I am studying accounting
Palawan remains beautiful.
He was fired from his job.
There is a discount on jeans.
You should demand a receipt.
For example,
Americanism
"Uh-uh."
The other day
One-quarter sheet of paper
Please move your seat
Filipinism
She is good in physics.
Let's order for a pizza
Can you cope up your stress?
Let's discuss about corruption.
It will result to more problems
Based from the evidence, I agree.
Let's watch out for the movie.
I'm sick with travelling all the time.
I agree to her.
I am bound to Manila.
Please fill up the form
I studied under Ma'am Garcia.
I am taking up Accountancy
Palawan remains to be beautiful
He was fired out of his job.
There is a discount off on Levi's.
You should demand for a receipt
Example:
What the Filipino hears
"Yes."
The day before yesterday
Huh?
Place the seat in a different location
American English &
Filipino English
Americanisms are English words that only Americans use and cause
confusion for English speakers not from America. Filipinisms are English
words that Filipinos use and cause confusion for people outside the
Philippines. Some words or phrases are different but mutually intelligible.
An American would say "For example," while a Filipino would say,
"Example:". Then there are other words and phrases that can really cause
problems because they are not mutually intelligible. For example, a call
center agent might say to an American customer, "I will look up your record.
For a while." The Filipino is asking the American to wait for a short time, but
the American would think, "Oh no! I have to wait for a long time!"
Some Common Americanisms
What the American means
"No."
A nonspecific day in the past
One-fourth sheet of paper
Please transfer seats
Please switch papers
I'll pick you up at 8.
The previous month
Please fill out this form
What's your major?
I was Class of 2006?
Souvenir/Memento
Filipinism
"For awhile."
"Uh-oh."
Gimmick
"I availed the scholarship"
"I accomplished it."
Biodata
Bring home
Bond paper
Canteen
"What is your course?"
"Please fill it up."
"Find your height."
Get down / Go down
Green jokes
"I'll go ahead."
Huh?
I will lift you off the ground
The earlier(?) month
Huh?
Huh?
Huh?
Huh?
Some Common Filipinisms
What the Filipino means
"Wait for a short time."
"Yes."
Night out with friends
I grabbed the opportunity
scholarship
"I filled up a form."
Short resume
Extra food taken home from fiesta.
Standard, unlined paper
Food establishment
"What is your degree emphasis?"
"Please complete a form."
"Line up from tallest to shortest."
Disembark
Jokes of a sexual nature
"Leave in advance of others."
Please exchange papers
I'll fetch you at 8.
The former month
Please fill up this form
What's your course?
I was in Batch 2006.
Remembrance
What the American hears American equivalent
"Wait for a long time." "Just a moment."
"No" or "There's a problem" "Mmm hmm" or "Uh-huh."
Practical joke Party / hang out
of the "I helped the scholarship?!" Only use the phrase "to no avail"
"I finished a task." "I completed it."
?! Biographical blurb
?! Leftovers
Fancy paper for certificates Printer paper
Water container Cafeteria
"What class are you taking?!" "What is your major?"
"Pour liquid into a container." "Please fill it out."
"How tall are you?" "Form a line according to height."
Descend from a high place?! Get off
?! Dirty jokes
?! "See you later!"
Middle name
Masteral
Motel
Nightclub
Ocular inspection
Open / close the computer
Pentel pen / ballpen
Polo
"I am a professional driver."
"Your English is very slang."
Toga
Tomboy
"I will be the one."
"You are advanced."
"You are mature."
Mother's family name Second given name (John Paul) Mother's maiden name
Post graduate degree ?! Master's Degree
Hotel used for sex Regular hotel Love hotel
Sex-oriented establishment Regular restobar Strip club
Assessment of a place / thing ?! Inspection
Power on/off the computer Dis-assemble the computer?! Turn on/off the computer
Any kind of ballpen Specific, fancy pen Pen
A button-down dress shirt A casual, knit, short sleeve shirt Short sleeve collared shirt
"I am a well skilled, capable driver." "My employment is driving." "I am a good driver."
"You have a heavy accent & speak fast." You use informal words." "You're difficult to understand."
Graduation/Commencement garb Clothing worn by ancient Greeks Cap and gown
Gay female Girl who likes sports Lesbian
Offer to do something ?! I'll do it.
"You are ahead of schedule." "You are skilled/knowledgeable." "You're early."
"You are already old." "You are sophisticated and wise." "You are older."

Filipino word/phrase Translation Americanized Transliteration

Ako na la I'll be the one I'll do it
Mauna na ako I'll go ahead See you later
na already [ omit "already" unless emphasizing
past
Sandali lang For awhile Just a moment
panaog/lusad Go down/Get down Get off
maki- to be fond of to like
noon/hadto last/past [ omit "last" unless a recurring event Literal Translations
]
sura viand entrée/main dish that Cause
artista artist actor/performer
Confusion for
Americans

Filipino brand name words Generic term Americans recognize

Cutex nail polish
Colgate toothpaste
Xerox photocopy
Kodak camera
McDonalds hamburger
Rugby rubber cement
Pentel Pen pen
Levi's jeans