Forgotten Spanish Words in the Philippines: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Ever feel like some Spanish words your lola used are fading away? I do! It’s like a piece of history is slipping through our fingers. Today, we’re diving into those forgotten Spanish words and phrases, the ones that make you say, “Oh yeah, I remember lolo saying that!”

Beyond “Desvergüenza”: Unearthing Lost Spanish Treasures

Sure, “desvergüenza” (shamelessness) might sound like a mouthful now, but it once packed a punch. And let’s not forget “santisimo” – the drama! But there’s a whole treasure trove of Spanish words in the Philippines that we rarely hear anymore.

Here’s my family’s list of almost-forgotten Spanish words. How many do you recognize?

Señor/Señorita: Remember being called these as kids? It felt so formal, yet endearing.
Bonito/Bonita: A sweet way to compliment someone, meaning “beautiful” or “pretty.”
Estupido/Estupida/Tonto/Tonta: Okay, maybe not the most endearing, but these words for “stupid” were common scolding terms.

From “Vale” to “Vara”: Everyday Words with Spanish Roots

You might be surprised how many common Filipino words have Spanish origins. We’ve Filipinized them, but the connection is undeniable.

Vale (Bale): Meaning “okay” or “so,” it’s a casual way to transition in conversation.
Bueno: Still widely used, “bueno” means “good.”
Echar (Echa/Itsa): This verb for “to throw” transformed into “itsa” for “throw it away.”
Siempre: While it means “always” in standard Spanish, Filipinos often use it for emphasis, like “of course!”
Querido/a: This term of endearment, meaning “dear,” is still used, especially by the older generation.
Auto, Coche: “Car” in Spanish, we now mostly use “kotse” (from the American “coach”).
Cuarto (Kwarto): Our word for “room” comes directly from the Spanish “cuarto.”
Trono, Servicio: These euphemisms for the toilet are fading, replaced by more direct terms.
Comida, Merienda: “Comida” (lunch) is less common now, but “merienda” (snack) is still widely used.
Largo: While we use “pantalon” for pants, “largo” specifically referred to long pants.
Vestido, Traje, Camisa, Camiseta: These clothing terms are still around but less common than their Filipino counterparts.
Sastre, Modista, Medico/a, Maestro/a: These professions still exist, but we often use the English terms now.
Licenciado/a, Titulado/a: These terms for university graduates are becoming less common.
Morado, Rosado: These color terms (purple, pink) are still used but less often than their Filipino equivalents.
Periódico, Diario: Both mean “newspaper,” but we typically say “dyaryo” now.
Adelantado: This word, meaning “advanced,” is not as common as it once was.
Asunto: We use “isyu” more often now for “issue” or “matter.”
Contrapelo: Meaning “against the grain,” this word is rarely heard today.
Suegro/a, Cuñado/a, Esposo/a, Hijo/a, Primo/a, Parientes: These family terms are still used, but some are less common, especially among younger generations.
Municipio: We mostly use “munisipyo” now for “municipality.”
Sentido común: This phrase for “common sense” is timeless, even if we sometimes lack it!
Galletas: While we love our biscuits, “galletas” sounds more formal.
Yema, Clara: These kitchen staples (egg yolk, egg white) are still part of our culinary vocabulary.
Perejil, Romero, Manzanilla: These herbs (parsley, rosemary, chamomile) are finding their way back into our gardens and language.
Guisantes, Remolacha: “Guisantes” (peas) and “remolacha” (beetroot) are used less than their Filipino counterparts.

From “Entender” to “Por Dios Santo”: More Than Just Cebuano?

The lines between Spanish influence and other Filipino languages, like Cebuano, can be blurry. Here are some words that make you wonder, “Is that Spanish or Cebuano?”

Entender (Intindi): Both mean “to understand,” highlighting the intertwined history of these languages.
Demasiado (Masyado): This adverb, meaning “too much” or “excessively,” exists in both forms.
Ciudad (Syudad): Our word for “city” comes from the Spanish “ciudad.”
Fabrica (Pabrika): We typically use the latter for “factory.”
Semana: This word for “week” is used in both Spanish and Filipino.
Uso: This one’s tricky. In Spanish, it means “I use,” but in Filipino, it refers to something “trendy” or “in fashion.”
Vara (Bara): Meaning “stuck,” this word exists in both forms.
Consejo (Konsehal): The Spanish word for “advice” evolved into “konsehal,” meaning “councilor.”
Todo: “Everything” in Spanish, it’s used similarly in Filipino.
Enamorada/o (Enamorado/a): While we use “manliligaw” for someone courting, “enamorada/o” refers to the person they’re smitten with.
Novio/Novia (Nobyo/Nobya): These terms for boyfriend/girlfriend are interchangeable.
Calle (Kalye): Our word for “street” has clear Spanish origins.
Nochebuena: We still use this term for “Christmas Eve.”
Disculpé: While “Excuse me” is more common, some older Filipinos still use “Disculpé.”
Canto/s (Kanto): Both refer to a “corner.”
Echa fuera (Etsapwera): This phrase, meaning “to exclude,” transformed into the uniquely Filipino “etsapwera.”
Averia (Aberya): Both mean “breakdown” or “malfunction.”
Seguro: In Filipino, “siguro” means “maybe,” but “sigurado” means “sure,” which is closer to the original Spanish meaning.
Basta: This expression, meaning “enough,” is used in both languages.
Ayuda: “Help” in Spanish, it’s used similarly in Filipino.
Hacer Caso: In Spanish, it means “to pay attention,” but in Filipino, it evolved to mean “to do” or “to follow.”
Por Dios Santo (Por Diyos Por Santo): This exclamation, meaning “for Christ’s sake,” highlights the strong Catholic influence on Filipino language.

Preserving Linguistic Heritage: One Word at a Time

It’s fascinating how language evolves, blending influences and creating something unique. As we uncover these forgotten Spanish words, we rediscover a part of our history and keep those memories alive. So, the next time you hear “abuela” say something you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask – you might just uncover a linguistic treasure!