Bendisionannaka ni Apo Dios
To say "god bless you" in Ilocano, use Bendisionannaka ni Apo Dios.
This phrase is used as an interjection when someone sneezes.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Bendision (bless), annaka (a combination of the verb suffix and the pronoun ka meaning 'you') and ni Apo Dios (the Lord God).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word Bendisionannaka, the suffix -annaka incorporates the object pronoun ka (you) directly into the verb structure.
Did you know?
- In Ilocano culture, the concept of bendision is often physically enacted by the younger person taking the hand of an elder and pressing it to their forehead.
- The word Apo in this phrase originally referred to a grandparent or a grandchild in its ancient roots.
- The word bendision is a direct loanword from the Spanish bendición, reflecting the long period of Spanish colonial influence in the Philippines.
Example conversation
Rowena and Juan are sitting in the living room.
- RowenaBendisionannaka ni Apo Dios.God bless you.
- JuanAgyamanak, Rowena.Thank you, Rowena.
- RowenaNakasneegeka metten.You sneezed again.
- JuanWen, napigatanak.Yes, I am struggling.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
