nakababatang kapatid
The Tagalog phrase for "little sibling" is nakababatang kapatid.
nakababatang kapatid refers to a sibling who was born after the person being spoken about. In casual conversation, Filipinos often omit kapatid and simply use nakabata or refer to the sibling by their name or a specific title.
Which one should you use?
nakababatang kapatid refers to any younger sibling, while bunso is the specific term for the youngest child in the family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The linker -ng is attached to nakabata to connect the adjective to the noun kapatid.
Did you know?
- The word kapatid comes from the root patid, which means 'to sever' or 'to cut'. It reflects the idea that siblings are separated from the same source or womb.
- While nakababatang kapatid is the formal way to say 'little sibling', in most Filipino homes, you would never use the word 'kapatid' to address them directly.
- In Filipino culture, the bunso or youngest child is often granted more leniency and affection, sometimes being treated as the 'baby' of the family long into adulthood.
Examples in context
- Paumanhin po, mayroon po kayong nakababatang kapatid?Excuse me, do you have a little sibling?
- Ako po ay may nakababatang kapatid.I have a little sibling.
- Mayroon ka bang kapatid na bunso?Do you have a little sibling?
- May nakababatang kapatid si Ana.Ana has a younger sibling.
- Sino ang nakababatang kapatid mo?Who is your younger sibling?
- Ang nakababatang kapatid ko ay masayahin.My younger sibling is cheerful.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Maria are talking about their families.
- RicardoMay nakababatang kapatid ka ba, Maria?Do you have a little sibling, Maria?
- MariaOo, may isa akong nakababatang kapatid.Yes, I have one little sibling.
- RicardoIlang taon na siya?How old is he/she?
- MariaSampung taon na siya.He/she is ten years old.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kapatid, CC BY-SA 4.0.
