kanin
/ˈkanin/
In Tagalog, the English phrase rice is expressed as bigas or kanin.
Meaning: seeds used as food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| kanin | /ˈkanin/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| bigas | /biˈɡas/ (Standard Tagalog) |
Which one should you use?
Use kanin specifically to refer to cooked rice that is ready to be eaten. The term palay is used specifically for rice that is still in its husk (paddy).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkanin/
Did you know?
- In the Philippines, rice is so central to the diet that the word kanin is often used as a general synonym for 'food' or 'a meal' in certain contexts.
- The Tagalog word for cooked rice, kanin, is actually a derivative of the verb kain, which means 'to eat'.
- The term kanin is used for steamed rice, but different types of rice dishes, such as fried rice, use the term sinangag.
Examples in context
- Bumababa ang kalidad ng bigas.The quality of rice is going down.This sentence is useful for discussing the quality of bigas.Tatoeba #4508955 by kanlaon, translation #64020 by CM
- Ihalo ang kanin sa itlog at toyo.Combine the rice with the egg and soy sauce.This sentence is useful for describing how to combine kanin with other ingredients.Tatoeba #2178283 by nonong, translation #2774153 by mervert1
- Bagay ang kanin kapag isda ang ulam.Rice is nice with a dish of fish.This sentence is useful for suggesting that kanin pairs well with fish.Tatoeba #11575091 by qwertzu, translation #1102967 by jamessilver
- Pakipasa naman ng rice.Can you pass the rice?
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mark and Maria are preparing lunch at home.
- MarkMaria, may kanin pa ba tayo?Maria, do we still have rice?
- MariaOo, Mark, mayroon pa sa kaldero.Yes, Mark, there is still some in the pot.
- MarkSige, kukuha na ako ng kanin.Okay, I will get some rice now.
- MariaSige, ihanda mo na rin ang plato.Okay, prepare the plate as well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rice” translations and entries kanin, bigas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bigas, kanin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
