Some Ilocano Phrases
for today we are going to learn some Ilocano Phrases.
These Ilocano phrases are spoken many times during the day.
So here are some of the most common phrases in Ilocano:
Ti utang mabayadan, ngem ti naimbag a nakem saan.
Debt can be paid, but kindness cannot.
Basically, you need to show kindness in return not just give something materialistic item.
Sabali nga ili, sabali nga ugali.
Different towns, different customs (or the way they do things).
Some things may be acceptable to a particular town or person, but if you go to another it may not be acceptable.
No ana iti imulam, isu met ti apitem.
What you sow is what you harvest.
It depends on you what you can get in return. Or success can only be achieved if you laid down a proper foundation for it.
No narugit ti kusina, narugit met dijay kusinero.
If the kitchen is dirty, the cook is dirty.
This Ilocano phrases talks about what we do or others see reflects on us.
Aramid pakakitaan.
Show work.
You hear this Ilocano phrase during the election campaign season. Basically, action speaks louder than words.
Bad words/Swear words in Ilocano
Today we are going to learn how to say bad words/swear words in Ilocano.
Exclusively for entertainment only!!!
Gago ka! (gah-goo-cah)
- idiot
Langgong ka! (lang-goong-cah)
-idiot
Torpe ka! (tore-peh-cah)
-idiot
Bastardu! (bass-tar-doo)
-bastard
Ang ang! (ahng-ahng)
-idiot
Awan ammum! (ah-wahn-amm-moom)
-stupid
How to say idiot/stupid in Ilocano.
Best Ilocano Foods Ever!
Okay, here we go again on our next topic.
Today, I am going to tell you the best Ilocano Foods.
Note that these Ilocano Foods can be found elsewhere throughout the Philippines. Not solely ILOCANO.
1. Katuday (cah-too-dai)
Katuday or Corkwood tree [flower] is a very tasty accompaniment to a bowl of rice. Mix with some fish sauce and slice of tomatoes, this dish can satisfy any stomach.
Photo from MyCid's Garden
2. Empanada (m-pah-nah-dah)
Empanada was an imported food from Spain. The Ilocanos gave it their own twist by using eggs, longganisa (sausage), mung beans, and green papaya. It's primarily eaten during the afternoon.
Photo from Lakbay Pilipinas
3. Karabasa Soup (cah-RAH bah-sah)
Karabasa or squash soup is another dish imported from another culture. The soft and tasty squash along with string beans, sometimes eggplant, and some meat makes a great stomach filler.
Photo from Pamughaton
4. Pinakbet (pea-knock-bet)
Pinakbet is a vegetable dish mostly found in many Ilocano homes. A nice mixture of vegetables (bitter melon, eggplant, peas, tomatoes, and string beans) are made into a soupy dish. It's a great meal with some chicharon. The chicharon will sometimes balance the saltiness of the pinakbet.
Photo from FatFree Vegan Kitchen
This ends one of our culinary trips to the Ilocano Food Scene. More to come!
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Meow!
Food – Ilocano Language Lesson
Chances are you will eat the local delicacies of the Ilocos Region.
Some of these food are found all over the Philippines, but sometimes they are called differently.
Different cultures had a great impact on the local cuisine.
The most notable of these cultures is of China. Many dishes/food can be attributed to the Chinese.
American food, as well as Indian and Malay, play a major part in the regions diet.
So let's go and dive in:
Vegetable Dishes In A Typical Ilocano Family
- pinakbet (pea-knock-bet)
- katuday [in fish sauce] (cah-too-dai)
- balangeg [adobo] (bah-langh-egg)
Meat Dishes In A Typical Ilocano Family
- inadobo nga manuk (ee-nah-do-bo-ah-mah-nook)
- letson (let-soooon)
- naitunu nga paltat (nah-ee-too-noo-ah-pal-tat)
- naprito nga ikan (nah-ee-pree-too-ah-ee-can)
Sweet Dishes (Desserts) In A Typical Ilocano Family
- puto (pooh-too)
- bibingka (bee-bing-cah)
- tupig (two-pig)
- calamay (cah-lah-mai)
Directions – Ilocano Language Lesson
One way to better communicate in Ilocano is to know how to ask directions.
If you happen to visit the Ilocos Region of the Philippines, you might find yourself asking where to find the bathroom or where is the next gas station.
This should help you with some of your needs when travelling there.
Ayanan na tay ________? (ah-yan-nah-tie)
- "Where is the ______.?"
- use this if you want to find something or a location
- banyu (bahn-yoo) bathroom
- paggasulinaan (pag-gah-soo-lee-nah-an) gas station
- bangku (bahng-koo) bank
- makan (mah-can) food
- kwarta (quar-tah) money
Agsarsarakak ti _______. (agh-sarh-sa-rack-act-tea)
- katulung (cah-tooh-luhng) maid
- mani (mah-knee) peanut
- lugan (loo-gun) car
- paltug (pal-toog) gun
Holiday Greetings – Ilocano Language Lesson
Christmas is just around the corner and I figured that I need to teach you all you how to greet in Ilocano for holidays.
Many of these greetings start with "Happy" "Merry" or "Naimbag."
How to say Happy New Year in Ilocano.
January
How to say Happy Valentines Day in Ilocano.
December
Questions, suggestion, or requests comment below.
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Going to shop – Ilocano Lesson
If you are visiting the Ilocos Region, you shouldn't miss going for a little shopping.
Many Filipino-Americans I know who visit the Philippines always go shopping.
We can help you mingle with the local Ilocanos when shopping at one of the numerous 'tiendaan' out there.
Here is the list of phrases you might want to use conversing with Ilocanos when shopping:
Adda patis yu? (Add-duh-pah-teas-yoo)
- Do you have a fish sauce.
- You can replace the underlined word with anything you want e.g fish (ikan), itlog (egg), etc.
Sagmamanu daytoy (dagitoy)? (sagh-ma-ma-noo-dai-tuhy) (duh-gi-tuhy)
- How much is (are) this (these)?
- You can say this with everything.
Awan tawar nan? (ah-wan-tah-waR-nun)
-Literally it means "No more discount?" You want to use this when bargaining for a cheaper price.
Alan a. (ah-lan-ah)
- Come on.
- You want to use this to accompany the Awan tawar nan?
Agyaman nak unay. (agh-yan-man-knock-oooh-naiy)
- Thank you.
- It is translated in English differently, but it does get the word of appreciation.
Isuput mun tuman. (ee-soo-put-moon-too-man)
- Put it in a plastic bag.
I hope I helped in a way.
If you have any questions or requests, just drop a comment and I will do my best to accommodate you all.
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How to say Good Morning in Ilocano?
Here is my first How-to video on speaking Ilokano.
In this video you will learn, hopefully, how to say Good Morning in Ilokano.
Remember that there are different accents of the Ilokanos so the pronunciation can vary.
What is Ilocano?
Ilocano is a Filipino language spoken in the Northern Philippines by more than 10 million people. It is part of the Austronesian family of languages spanning from Hawaii to the Maoris of Australia. It is majorly spoken in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union.
What is surprising to speakers of Ilocano is that they have different accents like the United States. this different accents of Ilokano can more than be observed in the province of Ilocos Norte. I lived in Ilocos Norte for 14 years and I can truly say that every town in that province have different accents. There's the high pitched one and there's the one where you can almost not hear what is being said because of the fast and more pronounced words they say.