bibig
/biˈbiɡ/
The Tagalog word for mouth is bibig. Wiktionary also lists bunganga.
Meaning: the opening of a creature through which food is ingested (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| bibig | /biˈbiɡ/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| bunganga | /buˈŋaŋaʔ/ (Standard Tagalog) |
The term bibig refers to the opening of a creature through which food is ingested. It is the standard term used for anatomical descriptions, medical contexts or polite conversation.
Which one should you use?
While bibig is the standard term, bunganga is used to refer to a large or wide mouth and it can often sound rude or vulgar depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bibig does not change its form to indicate plurality. To express 'mouths', you should add the word mga before it (mga bibig).
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈbiɡ/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, bunganga is used as a verb to describe the act of shouting or speaking harshly at someone.
- The word bunganga is also used to describe the mouth of a jar, a bottle or a cave.
- The ancestral root of bibig specifically referred to the 'lower lip' rather than the entire mouth.
Examples in context
- Panatilihin mong sarado ang iyong bibig.Keep your mouth shut.This sentence shows how to use bibig when telling someone to keep their mouth shut.Tatoeba #8666100 by England, translation #1860650 by CK
- Panatilihin mong sarado ang iyong bibig!Keep your mouth shut!This sentence shows the use of bibig in an emphatic command to keep one's mouth shut.Tatoeba #8666101 by England, translation #669813 by saeb
- Ibinuka ni Tom ang bibig niya para sumabat.Tom opened his mouth to interrupt.This sentence demonstrates using bibig to describe someone opening their mouth to interrupt.Tatoeba #11858311 by qwertzu, translation #2641858 by CK
- Mas mabuting manatiling sarado ang labi kaysa magsalita ng masasakit na salita.It is better to keep your lips closed than to speak hurtful words.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are eating at a restaurant.
- MarkMay pagkain sa loob ng bibig mo.There is food inside your mouth.
- ChristinaTalaga? Nasaan?Really? Where?
- MarkDito lang, sa gilid ng bibig mo.Right here, at the corner of your mouth.
- ChristinaSalamat sa pagsasabi sa akin.Thanks for telling me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mouth” translations and entries bibig, bunganga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bibig, bunganga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
