biro lang
/ˈbiɾoʔ ˈlaŋ/word by word
In Tagalog, "just kidding" is said as biro lang.
The phrase is used to indicate that you were not being serious and that what you said was only a joke. You can use the more active form nagbibiro lang to express the idea of "just joking" or "I am just joking."
Meaning: I wasn’t serious, it was only a joke (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
biro lang is composed of biro, meaning "joke" and lang, meaning "only" or "just".
Which one should you use?
While biro lang is a common way to say "just kidding", nagbibiro lang is a more active way to say "just joking" or "I am just joking".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Manila and Luzon, the phrase charot lang is frequently used to mean "just kidding".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbiɾoʔ ˈlaŋ/
Did you know?
- The slang alternative charot originated in gay slang, known as Swardspeak, before becoming a mainstream way for people of all genders to say 'just kidding'.
- In Filipino culture, biro lang is often used as a 'social lubricant' to soften a critique or a bold request that might otherwise cause a loss of face.
- The use of charot has become so pervasive that it is often used as a punctuation mark in text messages, even when the preceding statement was not a joke.
Examples in context
- He he, biro lang… maliban na lang kung?Haha, just kidding… unless?This example shows the use of biro lang in a playful context.Tatoeba #11575340 by qwertzu, translation #10103279 by shekitten
- Mukha kang artista! Biro lang po!You look like a celebrity! Just kidding!
- Akala ko totoo ang sinabi mo. Nagloloko lang po ako.I thought what you said was true. I'm just joking.
- Uy, bagay sa'yo ang damit na 'yan! Chos lang!Hey, that outfit suits you! Just kidding!
- Hala! May bago kang crush? Biro lang!Oh no! You have a new crush? Just kidding!
- Ang galing mo naman kumanta! Charot lang!You're such a great singer! Just kidding!
- Biro lang ang sinabi ko.What I said was just a joke.
Example conversation
Jasmine tells Juan a fake secret.
- JasmineJuan, may sikreto ako sa iyo!Juan, I have a secret for you!
- JuanAno iyon? Sabihin mo na.What is it? Just tell me.
- JasmineNanalo ako sa lotto! Biro lang.I won the lottery! Just kidding.
- JuanGrabe ka, naniwala naman ako!You're too much, I actually believed you!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (biro, lang) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
