gago
/ˈɡaɡo/
In Filipino, the word for jackass is gago.
Gago is used to refer to someone who acts foolishly or stupidly. While it can mean a foolish person, it is often used as a direct insult to imply someone is being an idiot or is acting dishonorably.
Meaning: foolish or stupid person (noun)
Which one should you use?
While gago is a general term for a foolish or stupid person, the word tarantado is also used in informal settings specifically to refer to someone who behaves foolishly or recklessly.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Gago is an informal term. It is considered a profanity or a vulgarity and should be used with caution in polite company.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word gago changes its final vowel to a to indicate a female subject. The word gago can also function as a plural noun for a group of foolish people without changing its form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡaɡo/
Did you know?
- The term gago is a linguistic 'false friend' for those expecting its Spanish origin to describe a person who stutters.
- Unlike the English 'jackass' which is often used among friends as lighthearted banter, using gago in the Philippines carries a much higher risk of causing physical confrontation.
- In some highly informal contexts, such as among very close male friends, gago can actually be used as a friendly term of endearment, similar to how 'idiot' might be used in English.
Examples in context
- Ang tarantadong iyon ay walang modo!That jackass has no manners!
- Huwag kang maging gago sa mga gawain mo.Don't be a jackass in your actions.
- Ang gago naman ng taong iyon.That person is such a jackass.
- Huwag kang maging gago sa harap ko.Don't be a jackass in front of me.
- Gago talaga ang driver na iyon.That driver is a real jackass.
Example conversation
Christina and Ricardo are discussing a rude customer at a cafe.
- ChristinaAng gago ng customer na iyon.That customer was such a jackass.
- RicardoTotoo, bwisit ang ginawa niya.True, what he did was annoying.
- ChristinaSana hindi na siya bumalik dito.I hope he doesn't come back here.
- RicardoSigurado, mahirap nang magtiwala sa ganoong tao.For sure, it's hard to trust someone like that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gago, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gago, CC BY-SA 4.0.
