pakialamero
The Tagalog word for nosy is pakialamero.
The term is used to describe someone who is prying, inquisitive or curious in other’s affairs. Tending to snoop or meddle.
Meaning: prying, inquisitive or curious in other’s affairs, tending to snoop or meddle (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the root pakialam, which means to care or to concern oneself. Therefore, pakialamero literally describes someone who concerns themselves with things that are not their business.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In modern Filipino internet culture, the slang term Marites is used to refer to a person who is nosy or loves to spread gossip. Additionally, the informal term Epal describes someone who constantly interferes or becomes the center of attention.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word pakialamero changes its ending to pakialamera when referring to a female.
Did you know?
- The term Epal is actually a shortened version of the English word 'display', used to describe someone who is 'showing off' or inserting themselves into a situation unnecessarily.
- The suffix -ero in pakialamero is a Spanish loanword used to denote a person's occupation or characteristic, similar to how 'driver' or 'worker' is formed in English.
- Unlike the English 'nosy', which focuses on the organ of smell, pakialamero focuses on the action of interfering or meddling.
Examples in context
- Ayaw ko sa kanya. Masyadong epal. Laging nakikialam sa lovelife ko.I don't like him/her. Too nosy. Always meddling with my love life.
- Ang kaibigan natin, maarteng mang-usyoso. Lagi niyang gustong malaman ang mga sekreto ng iba.Our friend is a fussy busybody. He/she always wants to know other people's secrets.
- Huwag kang maging tsismoso/tsismosa. Iwasan mong magkalat ng mga hindi totoo tungkol sa ibang tao.Don't be nosy. Avoid spreading untrue things about other people.
- Napaka-pakialamero ng kapitbahay natin.Our neighbor is so nosy.
- Huwag kang maging pakialamero sa buhay ng iba.Don't be nosy in other people's lives.
- Sinasabihan ko siya na huwag maging pakialamero.I am telling him not to be nosy.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Maria are talking about a person who asks too many personal questions.
- RicardoSobrang pakialamero ng pinsan mo.Your cousin is very nosy.
- MariaPasensya na, sadyang ganun lang siya.I'm sorry, he's just like that.
- RicardoNakakaasar kapag masyadong pakialamero ang tao.It's annoying when a person is too nosy.
- MariaTama ka, Ricardo.You are right, Ricardo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pakialamero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
