Ways to say it
| Filipino | IPA |
|---|---|
| sige | /ˈsiɡe/ (Standard Tagalog) /siˈɡe/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| oks | /ˈʔoks/ (Standard Tagalog) |
The word sige is the most common colloquial way to express 'ok' as an acknowledgement or an agreement to proceed with something. It can also function as a way to say 'go ahead' or 'proceed'. For endorsement or approval, you might use the related form oo.
Which one should you use?
While sige is used to acknowledge a suggestion or tell someone to proceed, oks is a colloquial, shortened version derived from the English term 'OK'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal settings or when responding to authority, you can use oo, which means 'yes' and serves as an equivalent to 'OK'. In contrast, oks is considered slang and is frequently used in informal text messaging and casual speech among younger generations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Manila area, you may hear the phrase keri lang to mean 'it's fine' or 'it's OK'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsiɡe/
When do people say it?
In casual settings, several variations exist to express agreement or acceptance. The phrase sige na is an informal way to convey agreement or readiness, often emphasizing enthusiasm or urging. If you want to say 'it's okay' or 'no problem', the informal phrase ok lang is commonly used.
Did you know?
- The Spanish origin of sige comes from the verb sigue, meaning 'follow' or 'continue', which explains why the word is often used to tell someone to proceed.
- If you want to express that something is 'OK' in a very relaxed, slangy way in Manila, you can say keri lang, which stems from the English word 'carry'.
- Unlike English where 'OK' is often a neutral way to end a conversation, using sige in Filipino can sometimes signal that you are ready to leave or that a transaction is finished.
Examples in context
- Sige, ipagpalagay nating tama ka.OK, let's assume that you're right.This sentence shows how to use sige to introduce an assumption.Tatoeba #11473724 by qwertzu, translation #7190666 by CK
- Sige, ipagpalagay natin na tama ka.OK, let's assume you're right.This sentence demonstrates the use of sige when making an assumption.Tatoeba #11473716 by qwertzu, translation #4529691 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are planning a lunch break.
- PatriciaSige, kain tayo sa labas.Okay, let's eat outside.
- JoseSige, mamaya na lang.Okay, maybe later.
- PatriciaSige, basta sabihan mo ako.Okay, just let me know.
- JoseSige, salamat, Patricia.Okay, thanks, Patricia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ok” translations and entries sige, oks, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oks, sige, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
