USING FILIPINISMS: A NATIVE ENGLISH

SPEAKER’S PET PEEVE

The term “Filipinisms” is something what we can’t call “proudly Pinoy” or
consider as a plus factor in experiencing “more fun in the
Philippines”. Filipinisms refer to words that are loosely translated from
common Tagalog expressions and cause confusion when applied in
conversations with native English speakers. Such mistakes are taken as a big
no-no in business communication, especially by corporations with staff
dominated by foreigners who are exceptionally fluent in American or British
English (e.g. call centers, five-star hotels and international banks).
We have compiled a number of popular Filipinisms that will guide Pinoy
employees of foreign-owned entities (and even students enrolled in
international schools) when it comes to minimizing errors and being more
familiar with how the Americans and Brits express the same thoughts in
English for a more professional approach.

FILIPINISM WHY IT’S WRONG IT’S BETTER TO SAY…

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Come again? Mistaken as a sexually I’m sorry I didn’t get quite

explicit term (‘cum get that / Excuse me? /
again’) I’m sorry would you
please say that again?

It’s for free Inappropriate word use It’s free. / It’s free of
(for) charge. / We’re sending
it to you for free.

Hold your line/For Sounds absurd (Hold Would you mind if I put
awhile… your line), Caller would you on hold for a
expect a longer waiting second? / Please hold
time (for awhile)

Open/close (for It’s like referring to an Turn on/off

appliances, office item for repair
equipment and lights)

Yes, I’ll wait. (in Confusing mainly No, not at all. / No, I don’t
response to “Do you because of the “YES” mind at all.
mind waiting?”) word

Anything? Sounds vague Is there anything I can do

for you? / How may I
help you?

I’ll ask her an apology. Confusing/illogical I’ll apologize to her. / I

should make an apology.

We accept repairs. Sounds unprofessional, This shop repairs

too inviting cars/cellphones.

Tuck out Term not recognized in Untuck

American/British English

He was salvaged. Misuse of the word He was assassinated.

“salvaged”, which means
saving something from
being destroyed
She delivered her baby Subject-verb confusion She had her baby
yesterday. yesterday. / Dr. Smith
delivered her baby.

Xerox (action word) It’s a brand of Photocopy

photocopying machine

Oppositor Term not recognized in Opposition member

American/British English

Hand carry Term not recognized in Carry-on luggage

American/British English

It’s traffic today. Misuse of the word Traffic is heavy.

“traffic”

Senatoriable Term not recognized in Senatorial candidate

American/British English

I failed in Accent training. Inappropriate use of “in” I failed accent training.

My brother is taking up Use of “up” – too casual My brother is taking law.

law. / My brother is studying
law.

Where are you studying? Word choice (“studying”) Where do you go to

is too casual school? / What school do
you go to?
Pass by my office before Inappropriate word Drop by my office before
you go. choice (“pass”) you go.

We have one participant Redundant term (“one We have one participant.

only. only”)

I talked to her already. Misplaced adverb, used I already spoke with her.
as filler and “talked” / I have already spoken
sounds too informal to her.

Actually Commonly used filler, or Word should be used to

used as an answer to explain a justification of a
replace “yes” different thought or a
known fact – The boss is
actually very
lenient. / Nobody knows
what actually caused the
fight at the party.

As per Paul, all request Incomplete sentence As per Paul’s

forms should be signed instructions, all request
by him. forms should be signed
by him.

Sewer Term not recognized in Tailor (male) or

American/British English seamstress (female)

Dine in/Take Term misuse For here/To go

home (when ordering
food)
I felt kind of tired. Inappropriate term (“kind I felt rather tired.
of”)

As to the project… Inappropriate term (“as Regarding the project…

to”)

Thank you for that/this Sounds confusing and Thank you for the
one. impolite information. / Thank you.

Currently, I live there Redundant (“currently” Currently, I live there. / I

right now. and “right now”) live there right now.

Could you repeat that Redundant (“repeat” and Could you repeat that?
again, please? “again”), inappropriate
use of “please” in a
sentence that is
obviously a command

Bottomless Term not recognized in Refillable

American/British English

C.R. / comfort room Word not found in the restroom, powder

English dictionary room, bathroom, shower
room, toilet

I commute to work every Misuse of the word I commute to work either

day. Getting a car is just “commute”, which means by car or bus.
too expensive, not to to travel to a certain
mention fuel too. place on a regular basis
 regardless of the vehicle

Fall in line Term not recognized in Get into line / Line up /

American/British English Make a line

Fll up this form “Fill up” means pouring Fill out this form
something until
completely filled

Filipinisms are English phrases that are commonly used by Filipino

immigrants. These figures of speech are culturally relevant and may
sound strange to the average American. A Filipinism is a linguistic
usage specific to or typical of the Philippines, such as:Open the light
for turn on the light,captain-ball for basketball team captain, orviand
for any dish eaten with riceIt is when a Tagalog translation to English
ends up sounding a little bit ridiculous because the way it translates
can be misinterpreted by a native speaker. Filipinism refers to the
practice of contextualizing thoughts and ideas and life experiences in
a Filipino ideal. Filipinisms are English phrases that only Filipinos use.

Most Common Filipino Grammatical Errors

(Note: some items are not really grammatical errors but word choice issues, to be exact.)
1. Please fill up the form. --> fill out the form, fill in the blanks
2. That's already taken cared of. --> taken care of; the past tense is already taken care of by "taken"
3. Your the best. --> You're (You are); not possessive in usage
4. Is that you're name? --> your (possessive)
5. I don't know what their thinking. --> they're; homonym/homophone use
6. I don't know what there thinking. It's they're choice anyway. --> they're, their; again, homonym use
7. Take last Sept 7, 2005, when you got this latest cell phone from this promo. --> There will never be Sept. 7, 2005
again.
8. Take last Sept 7, when you got this pinaka-latest cell phone from this promo. --> latest or pinakabago; double
superlatives
9. Yun ang pinaka-da-best! It really felt like you were a masuwerteng lucky winner, di ba? --> again, double
superlatives; redundancy
10. You are most/more unique! --> "Unique" means there is no other.
11. Rejoice, it's a free gift. --> A "gift" is assumed to be free or it is a paid good.
12. Its a free gift. --> It's; missing contraction
13. It's tail is wagging. --> Homophone use; mistaking possessives for non-possessive pronouns
14. Guess what? --> an imperative (You guess what.) declarative statement, not a question.
15. I prefer books rather than movies. --> Strictly speaking (or in old-fashioned English), should be "over" or "to."
16. I'm more interested in books rather than watching movies. --> "rather" unnecessary
17. Watch out for this new show on TV. --> "Watch" is enough. "Watch out" is altogether another idiom, meaning
"take caution."
18. Majority of Filipinos say... --> My American editors in the past said there should be a preceding "a" or "the,"
depending on usage.

19. Thanks God, nakapasa ako sa bar! -->

20. His name is Mac and she is fond of singing. He has a sister who is fond of her. --> inconsistent gender out of
carelessness
21. She have... We has... --> agreement error out of carelessness
22. The birthday celebrant (?) had lots of foods, cakes, coffees, apples, rices, ulams... --> double plurals
23. Anyone can have their own rule. --> disagreement/lack of agreement
24. Lets do this again. --> homonym use
25. He let's you know when his mad. --> homonym use and improper use of contraction
26. Inspite of the fact that... --> "in spite" (two words)
27. Despite of the fact that... --> "despite" doesn't need "of"
28. I live at Sampaloc, Manila. --> "in" is used to indicate that something is placed inside another or to refer to
places in general
29. I live in #22, Sampaloc St., Manila. --> "at" is used to indicate specific places or directions
30. I live on Sampaloc, Manila. --> "on" indicates something is placed over another thing
31. Dispose the trash. --> "Dispose" needs an "of."
32. When I was born in 1970, there is a guy named... --> inconsistent tenses/tense shift out of carelessness
33. He is closed to meeting the deadline. The street was close to traffic. --> "closed" means "not open"; "close"
means "near"
34. You maybe right. --> homonym use; "May be" is not the adverb "maybe"
35.. You can't do that anymore than you can't do this. --> "Any more" is different from the adverb "anymore."
36. I can't say anything with regards to that. --> should be "with regard"; otherwise, use "as regards" or "Give him
my regard" or "Regards to your ____!"
37. This will result to the formation of… --> should be "result in"
38. The newly graduates wore… "new graduates"; an adverb can't be used to describe a noun