siga
The Tagalog word for gangster is siga.
The term siga is used to refer to a street gang member. An informal alternative for describing young individuals notorious for gang-related activities is Batang hamog, which literally translates to fog child.
Meaning: street gang member (noun)
Did you know?
- The term 'siga' likely stems from the image of jeepney drivers smoking a 'sigarilyo' once they have earned enough money to pay their daily 'boundary' fee.
- The word siga is also the Tagalog word for 'fire' used specifically for burning garbage.
- While siga means gangster, it is often used jokingly among friends to describe someone who is pretending to be tough.
Examples in context
- May mga siga sa kanto.There are gangsters on the corner.
- Huwag kang lalapit sa mga siga.Don't go near the gangsters.
- Siya ay isang kilalang siga.He is a well-known gangster.
Example conversation
Jasmine and Ricardo are walking through a rough neighborhood.
- JasmineRicardo, tingnan mo yung mga siga doon.Ricardo, look at those gangsters over there.
- RicardoHuwag mo silang titingnan, Jasmine.Don't look at them, Jasmine.
- JasmineNakakatakot ba sila?Are they scary?
- RicardoOo, kaya bilisan na natin ang lakad.Yes, so let's walk faster.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries siga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
