magkapatid
In Tagalog, the phrase for "brother and sister" is magkapatid.
The term magkapatid refers to two or more people who share the same parents, regardless of their gender.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the root kapatid (sibling) with the prefix mag- which indicates a relationship between two or more people.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which uses gendered terms like "brother and sister", the Tagalog term magkapatid is gender-neutral and refers to the sibling relationship itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
While magkapatid is often used for a pair of siblings, the reduplicated form magkakapatid is used to emphasize a larger group of siblings.
Did you know?
- The root word patid actually means 'to cut' or 'to sever'. This implies that siblings are those who were 'cut' from the same source, referring to the umbilical cord.
- Because magkapatid is gender-neutral, speakers use the words kuya for an older brother and ate for an older sister to specify gender and rank.
- In Tagalog, you can use the term magkapatid metaphorically to describe two people who are extremely close or act like siblings even if they share no biological parents.
Examples in context
- Mukha talaga kayong dalawang magkapatid.You two look exactly like brother and sister.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe people who look like they are using magkapatid.Tatoeba #11739507 by qwertzu, translation #64137 by CM
- Tatlong magkapatid ang nabanggit niya.He mentioned three siblings.
- Magkapatid sila sa ama at ina.They are siblings from the same father and mother.
Example conversation
Two acquaintances are talking about a neighbor's family.
- JasmineMagkapatid ba ang dalawang iyon?Are those two siblings?
- RicardoOo, magkapatid silang dalawa.Yes, they are two siblings.
- JasmineAng gaan ng loob ko sa kanila.I feel a lot of warmth toward them.
- RicardoMabubuting tao ang magkapatid na iyan.Those siblings are good people.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries magkapatid, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
