bati kag nawong
The English phrase "pangit mo" can be translated into Bisaya as bati kag nawong.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they are ugly. The word bati can specifically refer to being ugly when discussing appearance, but be aware that it can also mean "bad" or "poor quality" when referring to objects or behavior.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bati kag nawong literally translates to "ugly/bad you face".
Which one should you use?
While bati kag nawong focuses on the person's face, you can use the shorter and more direct bati ka to say "you are ugly" without specifically referencing the face. To express that someone is very ugly, you can use bati kaayo ka, where kaayo is an intensifier placed after the adjective.
How does it change in a sentence?
To emphasize the unattractive aspect of a person informally, you can say Pangit na kaayo ka. In the phrase bati kaayo ka, the word kaayo is an intensifier placed after the adjective to mean "very".
Did you know?
- While bati means 'ugly' or 'bad', it can also mean 'to hear' or 'to feel' in different contexts within Bisaya.
- In Bisaya, calling someone bati can be a double-edged insult because it can mean someone is physically unattractive or that their character and actions are 'bad'.
- The word nawong is not unique to Bisaya but is shared with other Philippine languages such as Waray-Waray and Asi.
Examples in context
- Bati kag nawong.You have an ugly face.
- Nganong bati kag nawong karon?Why do you look ugly now?
- Ayaw sige og ingon nga bati kag nawong.Stop saying that you are ugly.
Example conversation
Two friends are teasing each other playfully.
- JoyBati kag nawong sa imong hulagway.You look ugly in your photo.
- JunDili uy, gwapo ko.No, I am handsome.
- JoyBati kag nawong jud, Jun.You really are ugly, Jun.
- JunSaba diha, Joy!Shut up, Joy!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nawong, CC BY-SA 4.0.
