ate
/ˈʔate/
In Filipino, the term for "older sister" is ate.
The term ate refers to an older sister, but it is also used as a respectful honorific for any woman who is slightly older than the speaker, regardless of whether they are biologically related.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ate is used for an older sister, the term kuya is the equivalent word used for an older brother.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Tagalog, ate is the translation for "older sister".
How does it change in a sentence?
In informal settings, you can use ate as a title directly before a name, such as Ate [Name].
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔate/
When do people say it?
Addressing a woman who is not a relative as ate is a standard way to show politeness and social respect in Filipino culture.
Did you know?
- The word ate is actually a loanword from the Hokkien Chinese term á-chí, which originally meant 'eldest sister'.
- In traditional Filipino households, the ate is often expected to act as a second mother and help raise the younger siblings.
- Calling a woman ate when she is actually your peer or slightly younger can sometimes be taken as a joke or a subtle jab about her age.
Examples in context
- Hindi nagtatrabaho ang ate ko.My older sister doesn’t work.This sentence shows how to use ate when talking about an older sister's employment.Tatoeba #12988976 by dyuuuuuuuuls, translation #8981603 by Analu_Kalaka
- Mahusay maglaro ng gitara ang aking ate.My older sister plays the guitar well.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a skill possessed by an ate.Tatoeba #1073637 by scylla, translation #245570 by CK
- Ate, puwede ko po ba gamitin ang iyong laptop?Older sister, can I use your laptop, please?
- Maraming salamat po, Ate, sa tulong mo.Thank you very much, older sister, for your help.
- Salamat talaga, Ate, sa tulong mo.Thank you so much, older sister, for your help.
- Ate, may tanong ako tungkol sa proyekto ko.Older sister, I have a question about my project.
- Nasaan ang ate mo?Where is your older sister?
Example conversation
Patricia and Ricardo are talking about their siblings at a cafe.
- PatriciaKasama mo ba ang ate mo, Ricardo?Are you with your older sister, Ricardo?
- RicardoHindi, mag-isa lang ako ngayon.No, I am alone right now.
- PatriciaSaan pumunta ang ate mo?Where did your older sister go?
- RicardoNasa trabaho ang ate ko.My older sister is at work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older sister” translations and entries ate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ate, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
