guwapong lalaki
The English phrase "handsome boy" translates to Tagalog as guwapong lalaki.
This phrase describes a male child or young man who is physically attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The term guwapo is a loanword from the Spanish word guapo, meaning handsome and lalaki means man or male. The -ng attached to guwapo is a linker used to connect the adjective to the noun it modifies because the adjective ends in a vowel.
Which one should you use?
You can use gwapong bata if you specifically mean a young boy or child rather than a man. You may also use Pogi na bagets to specifically refer to a handsome teenager.
How does it change in a sentence?
The linker -ng is attached to guwapo to connect it to the noun lalaki.
Did you know?
- In the Philippines, the word pogi is sometimes used as a playful or flirtatious greeting to men, regardless of whether the speaker actually thinks they are handsome.
- If a person is described as pogi in a sarcastic tone, it can be used as a joke to imply they are actually the opposite of handsome.
- The word lalaki is a reduplicated form of the older root laki, a common linguistic pattern in many Austronesian languages to indicate a noun.
Examples in context
- Napakakisig ng binatang iyon.That young man is very handsome.
- Ang pogi mo talaga, pare!You're really handsome, buddy!
- May guwapong lalaki sa parke.There is a handsome boy in the park.
Example conversation
Maria and Juan are looking at a photo of a relative.
- MariaTingnan mo ang pinsan mo, guwapong lalaki siya.Look at your cousin, he is a handsome boy.
- JuanOo, kamukha ko talaga siya.Yes, he really looks like me.
- MariaSaan siya nag-aral ngayon?Where is he studying now?
- JuanNasa Maynila na siya.He is already in Manila.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lalaki, CC BY-SA 4.0.
