parehas ug nawong
The English phrase 'kamukha' can be expressed in Bisaya as parehas ug nawong.
This phrase is used to describe a person who looks like someone else.
Which one should you use?
Use Mura’g parehas when you want to say someone 'looks like' another person in an informal context, or Kapareho sa hitsura to say someone is 'similar in appearance' in a formal context.
Did you know?
- The term parehas shares an ancient root with the English word 'pair', both stemming from the Latin word pār, meaning 'equal'.
- While parehas ug nawong describes physical similarity, Bisaya speakers use the word murag to suggest someone resembles another person in 'vibe' or behavior rather than facial features.
- The word kamukha is actually a Tagalog word, but it is used so frequently in Bisaya conversations through code-switching that it is often interchangeable with parehas ug nawong.
Examples in context
- Nganong parehas ug nawong man mo?Why do you two look the same?
- Parehas ug nawong ang iyang amahan ug iyang lolo.His father and grandfather look alike.
Example conversation
Elena and Jose are looking at an old photograph.
- ElenaJose, parehas ug nawong nimo ang imong kuya.Jose, you look just like your older brother.
- JoseLagi, mao gyud na ang sulti sa akong mama.True, that's exactly what my mother says.
- ElenaSa hulagway pa lang, klaro na kaayo.Even in the photo, it's very clear.
- JoseSalamat, pero mas gwapo siguro siya.Thanks, but he's probably more handsome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nawong, parehas, ug, CC BY-SA 4.0.
