tupa
/ˈtupa/
The Tagalog word for lamb is tupa.
tupa is used to refer to a young sheep.
Meaning: young sheep (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtupa/
Did you know?
- The word tupa may actually originate from the Spanish verb 'topar', which means 'to collide' or 'to bump into'. This describes the way sheep physically ram one another.
- Despite the commonality of the word, sheep are not actually native to the Philippines. This explains why the word for 'lamb' is a loanword rather than a native Austronesian term.
- In the Philippines, where sheep are not native, tupa is the term used regardless of whether the animal is a lamb or an adult sheep.
Examples in context
- Ang batang tupa ay isang malambing na hayop.The lamb is a gentle animal.
- Kumakain ako ng tupa sa hapunan.I am eating lamb for dinner.
- Niluto ko ang karnero sa adobo.I cooked the lamb in adobo style.
- Ang tupa ay malambot.The lamb is soft.
- Nakakita ako ng maliit na tupa.I saw a small lamb.
- Kumakain ang tupa ng damo.The lamb is eating grass.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Jasmine are looking at animals on a farm.
- RicardoJasmine, tingnan mo ang tupa!Jasmine, look at the lamb!
- JasmineAng cute ng tupa na iyon.That lamb is so cute.
- RicardoGusto mo bang pakainin ito?Do you want to feed it?
- JasmineOo, sobrang lambot nito.Yes, it is so soft.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tupa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tupa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
