Tagalog Word of the Day: "Kaibigan"
By understanding the meaning and use of "kaibigan," you'll gain insight into the strong culture of friendship and relationships in the Philippines.
- Meaning: Friend
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Part of Speech: Noun
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Pronunciation: kah-ee-BEE-gan
How to Use in a Sentence
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"Si Maria ang aking kaibigan."
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(Maria is my friend.)
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"May bagong kaibigan ako sa paaralan."
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(I have a new friend at school.)
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"Masaya ako na nakilala ko ang aking mga kaibigan."
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(I am happy to meet my friends.
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Pronunciation Guide
You can listen to how "kaibigan" is pronounced by native speakers on Forvo. The site allows you to hear how the word is spoken by different speakers, ensuring you get the proper sounds for each syllable.
Detailed Explanation
"Kaibigan" is one of the most commonly used words in Tagalog to refer to a friend. It signifies someone you trust, enjoy spending time with, and who supports you. Unlike in some languages where the word "friend" can have a more casual connotation, "kaibigan" often refers to a deeper connection and a strong bond, although it can also be used in a lighter, everyday context. There are other related terms in Tagalog, like "barkada" (a group of friends) and "kapatid" (literally meaning sibling but sometimes used for close friends).
In Filipino culture, friendships are highly valued, and terms like "kaibigan" reflect the closeness and importance of these relationships. It’s common for Filipinos to form tight-knit friend groups that become like family, supporting each other through different stages of life.
Cultural Note
In the Philippines, the word "kaibigan" also extends to informal or “close” friends. Often, people are referred to as "best friends" or even "close friends" as "mga kaibigan." Filipino friendships are built on trust, loyalty, and a sense of community. It's also common to address a close friend with terms like "pare" or "mare" (often used for male or female friends, respectively), depending on the gender of the person.
This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here