kaibigan ko
/kaʔiˈbiɡan ko/word by word
kaibigan ko is the Tagalog way to say my friend.
The phrase is used to refer to a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection and trust.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun kaibigan (friend) and the possessive pronoun ko (my/mine), which translates literally to friend my.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Tagalog, the possessive pronoun ko follows the noun it modifies in the standard form kaibigan ko. You can also use the alternative form aking kaibigan by placing the possessive marker before the noun. Depending on the sentence structure and focus, kaibigan ko can also be used to mean my friend is…
How do you pronounce it?
/kaʔiˈbiɡan ko/
Did you know?
- The word kaibigan is built from the root ibig, which means 'to love' or 'to want'. Therefore, calling someone your friend literally implies they are someone you hold dear or love.
- In many parts of the Philippines, you might hear people call a stranger kaibigan as a friendly way to get their attention, much like saying 'friend' or 'buddy' in English.
- In certain Filipino social contexts, calling someone kaibigan can sound more formal or poetic than the more common, colloquial term bes or 'beshie', which is heavily used by younger generations.
Examples in context
- Kaibigan ko ang nakatayo roon.The fellow standing over there is my friend.This sentence is useful for identifying a person using kaibigan ko.Tatoeba #11647056 by qwertzu, translation #71778 by CK
- Natagpo ko ang kaibigan ko sa kalye.I met my friend on the street.This sentence is useful for describing a meeting with kaibigan ko.Tatoeba #1830116 by nonong, translation #244639 by CK
- Ang kaibigan ko ang magiging gabay natin.My friend will be our guide.This sentence is useful for describing the role of kaibigan ko.Tatoeba #11457473 by qwertzu, translation #251999 by CK
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jose and Maria are talking about a visitor at their house.
- JoseKaibigan ko ang darating.My friend is the one arriving.
- MariaSino ang kaibigan mo?Who is your friend?
- JoseSi Luis ang kaibigan ko.Luis is my friend.
- MariaKilala ko ang kaibigan mo.I know your friend.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (kaibigan, ko) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kaibigan, ko, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
