The words Filipino expats use the most

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The words Filipino expats use the most

Tagalog is just one of many languages in the Philippines; there are as many as 175 dialects spoken.

By Alvin R. Cabral and Angel L. Tesorero

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Published: Sat 3 Sep 2016, 4:52 PM

Last updated: Sat 3 Sep 2016, 7:56 PM

Tagalog is just one of many languages in the Philippines; there are as many as 175 dialects spoken.
1. "Kababayan" means "countryman" or "compatriot". Interestingly, "Pare" and "mare", is what parents and godparents call each other. Not a concept easily translated in English! "Friend" in Tagalog is "kaibigan".
2. A sure-fire way to know a FIlipino? Just blurt a wild "PSSSSST!" and see whose head turns. Also, Filipinos tend to point at someone or something by pouting in that direction.
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3. The Tagalog dialect is pretty easy because of its syllabification structure. One perfect example: If you want to ask, "is it going down?", just blurt out "bababa ba?"


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