unggoy
/ʔuŋˈɡoj/common gender
The Tagalog word for monkey is unggoy. Wiktionary also lists tsonggo.
Meaning: primate (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| unggoy | /ʔuŋˈɡoj/ (Standard Tagalog) | common gender |
| tsonggo | /ˈt͡ʃoŋɡo/ (Standard Tagalog) /ˈtsoŋɡo/ |
The term unggoy refers to a primate. Note that calling someone an unggoy is often used as a derogatory insult to imply they are foolish or behaving like an animal.
Which one should you use?
While unggoy is the standard term, tsonggo is a more colloquial or informal way to refer to a monkey.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Visayan-speaking areas, Baboy-ramo is used to refer to monkeys.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔuŋˈɡoj/
Did you know?
- The colloquial word tsonggo is a linguistic traveler that came to the Philippines via Spanish from the Guanche language of the Canary Islands.
- In the Philippines, the term unggoy is sometimes used as a playful or affectionate nickname for a child who is very mischievous or clingy.
- The word tsonggo is a direct adaptation of the Mexican Spanish word chango, reflecting the historical link between Mexico and the Philippines via the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade.
Examples in context
- Nakumbinsi ko ang pulis na huwag barilin ang unggoy.I persuaded the policeman not to shoot the monkey.This sentence shows how to use unggoy in a context involving a policeman.Tatoeba #11583657 by qwertzu, translation #254144 by CK
- Nahulog ang unggoy mula sa puno.The monkey fell from the tree.This sentence shows unggoy in a sentence about falling from a tree.Tatoeba #2917679 by mervert1, translation #402354 by CK
- Kumuha ng isang saging ang unggoy gamit ang patpat.The monkey took a banana by means of the stick.This sentence shows unggoy using a stick to take a banana.Tatoeba #2912039 by mervert1, translation #50348 by shekitten
- Ang cute nung unggoy na nakita ko kanina!The monkey I saw earlier was so cute!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At the zoo.
- JoseMay nakita ka bang unggoy?Did you see a monkey?
- JasmineOo, nakakita ako ng isang malaking unggoy.Yes, I saw a big monkey.
- JoseAng cute ng unggoy na iyon.That monkey is cute.
- JasmineOo, pero ang kulit ng unggoy.Yes, but the monkey is naughty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monkey” translations and entries unggoy, tsonggo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tsonggo, unggoy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
