butiki
/butiˈkiʔ/
The English word "lizard" is butiki in Filipino.
butiki is a noun meaning reptile. In informal settings, it is sometimes used as a catch-all term for various small lizards, which generally translates to gecko.
Meaning: reptile (noun)
Which one should you use?
While butiki refers to small common lizards, the word tuko is used specifically for the much larger, loud-calling tokay gecko.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make butiki plural, add the marker mga before the word. As a noun, butiki does not change its spelling based on gender, as Filipino nouns are gender-neutral.
How do you pronounce it?
/butiˈkiʔ/
Did you know?
- In Filipino folk beliefs, the tuko is often associated with omens of death if its call is heard at an unexpected time or place.
- In some rural areas, the sudden appearance of a butiki on a wall during a conversation is jokingly interpreted as a sign that someone is lying.
- Unlike the generic butiki, the tuko is highly prized in traditional medicine and is sometimes illegally traded for its supposed healing properties.
Examples in context
- Kapag pinutol mo ang buntot ng isang butiki, tutubo ito uli.If you cut the tail off of a lizard, it will grow back.This sentence is useful for describing how a butiki can regrow its tail.Tatoeba #11774349 by qwertzu, translation #851130 by papabear
- Bakit may limang binti ang butiking ito?Why does this lizard have five legs?This sentence is useful for asking a question about a specific butiki.Tatoeba #2771540 by mervert1, translation #2771556 by mervert1
- Ang bayawak na iyan ay malaki!That monitor lizard is huge!
- Madaming butiki dito!There are a lot of lizards here!
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Jose are in the living room.
- MariaJose, tingnan mo yung butiki sa dingding!Jose, look at the lizard on the wall!
- JoseNasaan? Hindi ko siya makita.Where? I can't see it.
- MariaNagtago na yata yung butiki sa likod ng picture.I think the lizard hid behind the picture.
- JoseHayaan mo na siya, Maria.Just leave it alone, Maria.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lizard” translations and entries butiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
