EXPLORE FILIPINO WORDS IN DEPTH
EXPLORE FILIPINO WORDS IN DEPTH
crocodile; corrupt person...
tea (gossip)...
That's the tea; That's the gossip....
Pang-uri
Perpekto, tama, o walang anumang pagkakamali.
/bu-WA-ya/
FIL: Isang malaking reptilya na naninirahan sa tubig. Sa matalinghagang kahulugan, ito ay tumutukoy sa isang taong sakim, mapagsamantala, o kurakot, lalo na sa gobyerno.
EN: crocodile; corrupt person
Literally, a crocodile. The kind you see in Palawan. Figuratively, it's that politician with the expensive watch and suspiciously large belly who keeps asking for 'donations.' Anyone greedy, especially in a position of power, gets called a 'buwaya'. So when you hear 'Daming buwaya sa gobyerno,' they're not talking about a zoo in Congress.
From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buqaya.
The metaphorical meaning is extremely common in political and social commentary.
🇵🇭 May nakitang malaking buwaya sa ilog.
🇺🇸 A large crocodile was seen in the river.
🇵🇭 Dapat mawala na ang mga buwaya sa pamahalaan.
🇺🇸 The corrupt officials (crocodiles) in government should be eliminated.
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Pang-uri
Perpekto, tama, o walang anumang pagkakamali.