gwapo
gwapo is the Bisaya word for handsome.
gwapo is used to describe a man who is physically attractive or handsome.
Which one should you use?
While gwapo is used for men, the feminine form gwapa is used to describe women as beautiful or pretty.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone is 'very handsome', you can add the intensifier kaayo after the adjective, forming the phrase gwapo kaayo.
Did you know?
- In the Philippines, the word gwapo is often used as a friendly, non-romantic way for street vendors or shopkeepers to address male customers to make them feel welcome.
- The use of gwapo often triggers a cultural response where the recipient must humbly deny the compliment to avoid appearing arrogant, often by laughing or disagreeing.
- The word gwapo is a direct linguistic descendant of the Spanish word 'guapo', which entered the Bisaya vocabulary during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines.
Examples in context
- Dako ang pagtan-aw sa uban sa iyang kagwapohan.Others really have a high opinion of his good looks.
- Pogi guid biraha ya na, dapat magtambok-tambok na man siya.He's undeniably good-looking, he should gain some weight though.
- Gwapo kaayo ang akong igsoon.My brother is very handsome.
- Gwapo siya sa iyang bag-ong t-shirt.He looks handsome in his new t-shirt.
- Ngano man nga gwapo man kaayo ka?Why are you so handsome?
Example conversation
Ana and Juan are chatting at a coffee shop.
- AnaJuan, gwapo kaayo ka karon.Juan, you are very handsome today.
- JuanSalamat, Ana! Nianhi lang ko para nimo.Thanks, Ana! I only came here for you.
- AnaAyaw ko i-atik, uy!Don't tease me!
- JuanTinood gyud na, saad ko.That is really true, I promise.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gwapo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
