Me and the Filipino language

Posted on

August 8, 2022

I have wonderful friends from Philippine. And it happens that I have learned some Filipino words. So lately, I decided to practice these words… My plan was just memorizing few words and phrases that would make me shine when needed.

Last night, the work team in a fast food restaurant were from Philippine, and this is what happened:

I greeted the cashier “Magandang gabi”, which means ‘good evening’… With a frown on her face, she doesn’t respond at all… I understand that work load could make us tired by the end of the day…

Finishing my order, I thanked her “Salamat, ikinagagalak kitang makilala”… I was just trying to say nice to meet you. One of her friends then repeated loudly “hmmm, maqilala…”. I could immediately tell that there was something wrong. He approached me, telling me with an angry tone “Sir, what do you expect when you ask to meet my friend?!”

…

It turned out that I was telling her in some way (Due to vowel mistakes): ‘You’re a beautiful lady and I want to meet you!’

Her friends were around…
A policeman was at the corner…
My wife was on a near table…

Don’t worry, I’m still alive! Hehehe

—

If this resonated with you, let’s stay in touch. No spam.

Join 3,617 other subscribers

Filed under category:

Around the World

Tagged with:

society

Comments

6 responses to “Me and the Filipino language”

August 8, 2022

magickmermaid

Sometimes meanings are lost in translation! Good thing you were able to work things out. 🙂

Reply
1. November 24, 2022
  
  Mohamad Al Karbi
  
  Thank you, Morgaine. Learning languages isn’t easy but it’s fun sometimes. As we go there often, they know me and things were fine. I was a little bit exaggerating for the story purposes 🙂
  
  Reply
August 10, 2022

Jan C. Johnson

Oooooh, that COULD have been trouble! Glad you’re okay!

Reply
1. November 24, 2022
  
  Mohamad Al Karbi
  
  Thank you, Jan. I’m okay… and the ladies are fine too. Thanks God that they know me 🙂
  
  Reply
September 2, 2022

pinayhakawati

Hmmm. I am a Filipino and I don’t see anything wrong with the words you used. I don’t see any vowel mistake as well. I’m assuming ‘they’ are assuming you are hitting on her… which is sad if that’s truly the case. Don’t give up on learning Filipino/Tagalog and keep on practicing! Happy weekend!

Reply
1. November 24, 2022
  
  Mohamad Al Karbi
  
  Thank you, Pinayhakawati. I’m not sure; discussing this with my Filipino’s friend, she said that the tone of voice and vowels could convey a wrong meaning. Not to mention that your point is somehow valid – they believed in someway that I was harassing her. After all, they know me so this didn’t escalate it 🙂
  
  Reply