anak sa labas
/ʔaˈnak sa laˈbas/word by word
The English word bastard can be translated into Tagalog as anak sa labas.
In Tagalog, anak sa labas is a common euphemism used to describe a child born to parents who are not married. While the English term 'bastard' is frequently used as a direct, aggressive insult for a contemptible person, anak sa labas focuses on the status of being born out of wedlock.
Meaning: contemptible etc. person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase anak sa labas literally translates to 'child on the outside'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔaˈnak sa laˈbas/
Did you know?
- While anak sa labas describes the child's birth status, the word bastardo is also used in the Philippines to mirror the aggressive English insult 'bastard'.
- The word anak is shared across a vast region, appearing in similar forms in Malay, Balinese and even Malagasy in Madagascar.
- To describe someone who is a 'bastard' in the sense of being cruel or mean, Filipinos often use the word salbahe instead of anak sa labas.
Example conversation
Jose and Christina are arguing about a family secret.
- JoseBakit mo sinabing anak sa labas ako?Why did you say I am a bastard?
- ChristinaNarinig ko lang ito sa nanay mo.I just heard it from your mother.
- JoseHindi ako isang anak sa labas!I am not a bastard!
- ChristinaPasensya na, hindi ko alam ang totoo.I'm sorry, I didn't know the truth.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry anak sa labas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (anak, sa, labas) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anak, labas, sa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
