astig
/ʔasˈtiɡ/
In Tagalog, the word for awesome is astig.
The term is used to describe something as excellent or exciting. You may also use the colloquial word galing to refer to skill or talent, or the informal phrase sobrang ganda to describe something as super beautiful.
Meaning: excellent, exciting (adj)
Which one should you use?
While astig is a slang term used to express that something is cool, Kahanga-hanga is a formal way to say awesome.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
astig is a slang term often used among the youth, whereas Kahanga-hanga is a formal term.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔasˈtiɡ/
When do people say it?
To express admiration for someone's greatness or excellence, you can say Napakagaling ng iyong naisagawa!
Did you know?
- The word astig is part of a broader trend in Filipino youth culture of using 'binaliktad' or reversed words to create secret slang codes.
- In the Philippines, astig originally carried a connotation of being a 'tough guy' or a rebel before it evolved into a general term for 'cool'.
- The slang term astig is actually an anagram or backslang of the word tigas, which means 'hard' or 'solid'.
Examples in context
- Ang iyong pagganap ay kahanga-hanga!Your performance is awesome!
- Ang bagong kotse mo ay astig!Your new car is awesome!
- Galing mo mag-gitara!You're awesome at playing the guitar!
- Ang tanawin dito sa Pilipinas ay sobrang ganda!The sceneries here in the Philippines are awesome!
- Astig ng palabas na iyon.That show was awesome.
- Ang astig ng mga sapatos mo.Your shoes are awesome.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Jasmine are talking about a new song.
- RicardoNarinig mo ba ang bagong kanta?Did you hear the new song?
- JasmineOo, astig ng beat nito!Yes, the beat is awesome!
- RicardoTotoo, gustong-gusto ko ang tunog nito.True, I really like how it sounds.
- JasmineBagay na bagay sa akin.It really suits me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry astig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries astig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
