We are friends.
I am comfortable with you if I do not panic when I send typographical errors or stutter as we converse. I am fond of you when I become an artist, and the words are my art. I play with them as if I see colors and feel the texture of the brush strokes— until slangs form a museum.
Slang is a language that I do not use when I am talking to my teacher. I do not wish to use it when I have a chance to speak to the President or when I write my scholarship application letter. But at least, I have an opportunity to use them now.
Filipinos are known to be cheerful that pushes them to invent our very own compilation of slang words. These words do not compose a dictionary, but they are many to understand all.
Here are the top ten Pinoy words in slang that you hear from a 16-year-old boy playing with his Call of Duty teammates or a millennial tita trying to catch up with her niece over lunch.
1. Omsim
Omsim is one of the newborn slangs. The level-up slang originated from the word "mismo," which is referred to as "exactly." Reversing a word or its syllables became a trend that you cannot imagine how they are understood. Other terms, including lodi, which means idol, sakalam for malakas, and petmalu for malupit belong to the same group as omsim.
2. Charot
On a scale of one to five, 4.95 is the rate of the Filipinos' sense of humor. The 0.05 left is to maintain the "nothing is perfect" motto. However, charot translated as "just kidding" is sometimes used to inform that you are joking but mainly used to live by the "jokes are half-meant" punchline.
Ililibre mo ba ako ng almusal? Charot! [Will you treat me breakfast? Just kidding!]
Bagsak ka sa pagsusulit. Charot. [You failed the quiz. Just kidding.]
Gusto kita. Charot? [I like you. Just kidding?]
3. Kilig
Roses. Sweet good nights. Greeting cards. These are simple things, yet they can make the heart flutter, the cheeks blush, and the happy hormones boost. If you remember one time that you feel these, then you are honored to feel kilig. It has no direct translation, but it is a feeling caused by love, excitement, and joy caused by a person and events. Kilig is a word that has no definition because it is its own meaning from the instinct dictated by the hypothalamus.
4. Jowa
If you are single, you do not have a jowa. This slang refers to the person that gives you butterflies in your stomach. Nowadays, people are searching for them because they think they are the puzzle pieces that will complete them and fill the gaps of the romantic love they lack. Jowa refers to the "boyfriend/girlfriend" without gender bias.
5. Sana all
If you are single, sana all is your conventional response to every couple that you saw. Sana translates to "wishing," which makes the two-word slang mean that you are hoping that a particular scenario should also experience or have by you or other people. Well, using this word does not mean jealousy or enviousness. Still, it somehow means that you are acknowledging goodness and beauty in other people. From the receiver's perspective, sana all is a compliment that is occasionally received because if it is daily, that will be a big sana all!
6. Chika
It is news that has no headline. It is covered by several reporters and has reached remote areas in a minute. This is the topic of students while eating their sandwiches during break time. This is one of the reasons why the neighbors look forward to seeing the sunrise. With all these descriptions, chika is defined as gossip told with whispers or loud laughs. It is something that is enjoyed, stressed about, and sometimes brought false judgments.
7. Hugot
There is a hidden deep personality in us that is brought out by experiences. These experiences make saying a hugot as often as possible. It came from a love life experience, a tragic movie ending or a sad song. Hugot is a one-liner that deserves to be tweeted or to be used as a caption in an Instagram post. It is "to pull out" in English, and this means that a hugot is pulled out from the heart, came out from your mouth, and written by your hands.
8. Awit
Hello! This is “aww sakit,” awit for short. Did you feel the pain? Awit is when you rush through the corridors to reach the classroom, but the professor is absent when you get there. Awit is when you miss the bus or the 11:59pm deadline. Awit does not require tears. It is just to describe unfortunate situations.
9. Keri
The answer to the question, "can you do it?" is keri. It is derived from the word "carry," and it means that you can do something. It mirrors Filipino characteristics of being positive and capable despite challenges. Keri is the response to tight deadlines for work, long lines along with the train stations, cover-to-cover examinations, and even in courting the love of your life. If you are going to speak slang in a day, start your morning right. Say keri as soon as you wake up for motivation and energy that can match your cup of coffee.
10. G
G? G! Short but sweet. Through a single-letter and one-syllable response, you got the affirmation. G is short for "game." Although they are both told as one syllable, at least G only has one letter compared to "game" that has four. This slang also showcased a Filipino trait that values time and is always ready. Imagine that they are using an answer that is shorter but meaningful to save time. Moreover, Filipinos are fierce to be always G on every difficulty and demand that life may give. Are you a Filipino? Of course, you are G!
Some find these slangs cute, while some look at them as annoying. Some use these words to seem cool, project younger, or ride the trend. Maybe slang does not include in the formal Filipino language, but they are used to converse and communicate. Besides, the main goal is to be understood. Omsim!
I served you the 10 words in Filipino slang. Thanks to you, I have the chance to use them in my writing. Now, here is my final question: Are we friends?