ig-agaw
/ʔiɡˈʔaɡaw/
The Bisaya word for cousin is ig-agaw.
ig-agaw is a noun used to refer to the child of one's aunt or uncle.
Meaning: child of a person’s parent’s brother or sister (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔiɡˈʔaɡaw/
Did you know?
- The word ig-agaw may be rooted in the concept of 'seizing' or 'snatching', derived from the older word agaw which means to usurp or take away.
- In traditional Bisaya households, the distinction between a 'cousin' and a 'sibling' is often blurred, and an ig-agaw may be addressed with the same respect and terms as a brother or sister.
- In many Bisaya speaking communities, the term ig-agaw is often used broadly to include distant relatives who would be called 'second' or 'third cousins' in English.
Examples in context
- Dili ig-agaw nako si Tom.Tom is not my cousin.This sentence is useful for expressing that a specific person is not your ig-agaw.Tatoeba #8666883 by Birago, translation #3424146 by CK
- Siya akong ig-agaw.He is my cousin.
- Daghan kog ig-agaw sa Sugbo.I have many cousins in Cebu.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at an old photo album.
- JoseKinsa ni nga ig-agaw nimo, Joy?Who is this cousin of yours, Joy?
- JoySiya akong ig-agaw nga si Maria.She is my cousin, Maria.
- JoseGwapa kaayo imong ig-agaw.Your cousin is very beautiful.
- JoySalamat, Jose.Thanks, Jose.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cousin” translations and entries ig-agaw, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ig-agaw, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
