FILIPINISMS

WHAT IS FILIPINISM?
The term refers to the practice of
contextualizing thoughts, ideas and life
experiences in a Filipino ideal. These are
words or phrases that are usually
grammatically incorrect or are almost always
results of transliteration.
 FILIPINISM CAN MEAN TWO SEPARATE THINGS:

The first is when it is used as a term to

describe words that either do not make
sense grammatically or are used in an
incorrect way.

The second being when native Filipino

speakers add emphasis to certain phrases
that are not needed.
 1. Come again?
“I am sorry I didn’t get that”
“Excuse me?”
“I am sorry, would you please say that
again?”
 2. Fall in line
INCORRECT: There are not enough
computers to use during registration that
students have to fall in line to check and
print their registration forms.
CORRECT: line up/form a line There are
not enough computers to use during
registration that students have to line up to
check and print their registration forms.
 3. Fill up
INCORRECT: Please fill up this form and
submit it to the registrar.

CORRECT: Please fill out this form and

submit it to the registrar.

“Fill up” means pouring something until

completely filled.
 4. For a while
INCORRECT: Hold your line/For awhile…
Sounds strange (Hold your line), Caller
would expect a longer waiting time (for a
while)

CORRECT: Would you mind if I put you on

hold for a second? / Please hold.
 5. Salvage – to be killed.
In the Philippines, the term salvage has a
totally opposite meaning from what it really
means. It means to be extra judicially
eliminated or assassinated. This is because
the term salvage was commonly used in the
news to refer to a hidden dead body that
was recovered. Thus, a salvage victim
would mean a victim of assassination.
 6. Next next week
Incorrect: I will go home to province next
next week.

Correct: I will go home to province a week

after next.
 7. Bottomless
Customer: I’ll have ice tea please.
Waiter: Will that be regular or bottomless?

Correct:
Customer: I’ll have ice tea please.
Waiter: Will that be regular or refillable?
 8. Traffic
INCORRECT: Often used as an adjective as in:
I was late because it is traffic on EDSA.
Also used incorrectly to mean stuck in traffic, as in:
I was late because I was trafficked on EDSA.

Traffic can only be used as a noun or as a verb.

Noun: I was late because of the heavy traffic on EDSA.
Verb: Traffic used as a verb can mean to trade something,
usually illegally, as in: This gang traffics in illegal narcotics
to a number of cities in Metro manila.
 9. Dine in/Take out

Correct: For here / To go

10. Where are you studying?
This question can be answered by simply
telling a place where you study – library, bed
room, or even coffee shops.

But some use this expression to ask about “the

school” where one is enrolled. Hence, it should
be corrected by saying, “Where do you go to
school? or Which school do you go to?”
11.Open the light/computer/TV
Instead of the verb “turn on”, use the verb
“switch on/off.”
 12. Commute
I commute to work every day. Getting a car
is just too expensive, not to mention fuel too.
Misuse of the word “commute,” which
means a regular journey or some distance to
and from one’s place of work.
Correct:
I commute to work either by car or bus.
 13. Comfort Room/CR
Incorrect: May I go to the C.R.? (not found in
the English dictionary)

Correct: restroom, powder room bathroom

shower room toilet
May I go the restroom?
 14. Officemates

Incorrect: I will have a meeting with my

officemates.

Correct: colleagues, co-workers I will have a

meeting with my colleagues.
 15.Yes, I’ll wait.
(in response to“Do you mind waiting?”)
To mind - annoyed, upset, or unhappy about something

Correct Answer: No, not at all. / No, I

don’t mind at all.
Napkin -tissue
Rubber shoes - sneakers
Xerox - photocopy
Hand carry – carry-on-luggage
Main branch – main office
Ref – refrigerator
Senatoriable – senatorial candidate
Tuck out - untuck
Aircon – air conditioner
It’s for free. – It’s free.
I’ll go ahead. – Goodbye./I have to go
To make an apology
INCORRECT: I’ll ask her an apology.

CORRECT:
I’ll apologize to her.
I should make an apology.
 We accept repairs.
This shop repairs cars.
Incorrect: - Anything?

Correct: Is there anything I can do for you? /

How may I help you?
Incorrect: She delivered her baby
yesterday.

Deliver (verb) - bring and hand over to the proper recipient or

address.

She had her baby yesterday.

Dr. Smith delivered her baby.
 Quiz
Revise the following Filipinisms.
1.

Xerox (action word)

2. We have one participant only.
3. My brother is taking up law.
4. Pass by my office before you go.
5. I talked to her already.
 6. Sewer
• When referring to a person who makes
(sew) people’s clothes.
7. As to the project…
8. No parking on both sides
9. Could you repeat that again, please?
10. Ocular inspection