sigarilyo
/siɡaˈɾiljo/
The English phrase "cigarette" is translated into Tagalog as sigarilyo. Wiktionary also lists yosi.
Meaning: thin roll of tobacco made for smoking (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sigarilyo | /siɡaˈɾiljo/ (Standard Tagalog) | |
| yosi | /ˈjosi/ (Standard Tagalog) | slang |
The term refers to a thin roll of tobacco made for smoking.
Which one should you use?
sigarilyo is the standard term, while yosi is a slang version used in casual contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
sigarilyo is the standard, formal term used to refer to a cigarette. In contrast, yosi is a slang term commonly used among friends and in casual settings.
How do you pronounce it?
/siɡaˈɾiljo/
Did you know?
- The slang term yosi is actually a form of backslang, where the first and last syllables of sigarilyo are flipped to create a new word.
- In some traditional contexts, the act of sharing a sigarilyo is tied to the concept of pakikisama, or the cultural value of getting along with others to maintain harmony.
- The term yosi is frequently paired with the word time in Filipino English to create yosi time, referring to a designated smoking break.
Examples in context
- Pare, meron kang yosi?Hey, buddy, do you have a cigarette?
- Nakalimutan ko ang aking sigarilyo.I forgot my cigarette.
- Isang sigarilyo lang ang binili ko.I only bought one cigarette.
Example conversation
Maria and Jose are standing outside a convenience store.
- MariaJose, mayroon ka bang sigarilyo?Jose, do you have a cigarette?
- JoseWala akong dala na sigarilyo ngayon.I didn't bring any cigarettes today.
- MariaSige, bibili na lang ako sa tindahan.Okay, I will just buy some at the store.
- JoseSige, Maria, maghintay ka lang dito.Okay, Maria, just wait here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cigarette” translations and entries sigarilyo, yosi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
