beshie
/ˈbeʃi/
The Tagalog term for bestie is beshie.
beshie is used as a term of endearment or a casual way to address a close friend. It is a slang adaptation of the English word 'bestie'.
Which one should you use?
While beshie is a slang adaptation of 'bestie', you might also encounter Tropa to mean a buddy or mate or Ka-close Ko to refer to someone as a close friend.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
beshie is a slang term used in informal, colloquial settings. Other informal options include Tropa or Ka-close Ko.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbeʃi/
When do people say it?
In the Philippines, beshie is particularly common among younger generations and within the LGBTQ+ community.
Did you know?
- Calling a total stranger beshie can be a social strategy to create an instant feeling of intimacy or rapport.
- The term beshie is a key part of 'Swardspeak', a specialized linguistic variety created and used by the Filipino LGBTQ+ community.
- The spelling beshie results from a linguistic process called palatalization, where the 'st' sound from the English 'bestie' is softened into an 'sh' sound to better suit Tagalog phonetics.
Examples in context
- Siya ang aking tropa na laging nandiyan para sa akin sa mga kalokohan natin.He/She is my buddy who is always there for me in our mischievous adventures.
- Siya ang beshie ko.She is my bestie.
- Kumusta, beshie!How are you, bestie!
- Ang sweet naman ng beshie ko.My bestie is so sweet.
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting via text message.
- AngelaUy, beshie! Nasaan ka na?Hey, bestie! Where are you now?
- MarkMalapit na ako, Angela.I'm almost there, Angela.
- AngelaBilisan mo para makapag-kape na tayo.Hurry up so we can grab coffee.
- MarkSige, beshie. Hintayin mo ako.Okay, bestie. Wait for me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry beshie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beshie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
