luku-luko
The Tagalog word for silly is luku-luko.
The term luku-luko is used to describe someone who is foolish or showing a lack of good sense and wisdom. In different contexts, other words may express specific types of silliness: lokong-loko describes someone acting extremely silly, while kalog implies a person has a carefree, whimsical or loose nature.
Meaning: foolish, showing a lack of good sense and wisdom (adj)
Which one should you use?
While luku-luko means silly or foolish, the word baliw is a stronger term meaning 'crazy' or 'insane'.
Did you know?
- The word kalog literally means 'shaken' or 'loose'. It describes a silly person as if a screw or a part of their head has come loose from shaking.
- The root word loko is borrowed from the Spanish word loco, meaning 'crazy'. Over time, Tagalog softened its meaning to describe silliness rather than clinical insanity.
- While luku-luko can be an insult, it is often used as a term of endearment between close friends or romantic partners to tease each other about their quirks.
Examples in context
- Ang pag-uugali ni Mary sa event ay sobrang lokong-loko! Siya ay umaakyat sa mga mesa at kumakanta ng katawa-tawang mga kanta.Mary's behavior at the event was so lokong-loko! She was climbing on the tables and singing silly songs.
Example conversation
Mark and Maria are discussing a mutual friend's behavior.
- MarkLuku-luko ba si Juan?Is Juan being silly?
- MariaOo, luku-luko siya ngayon.Yes, he is being silly right now.
- MarkBakit siya nagkakaganyan?Why is he acting like that?
- MariaHindi ko rin alam.I don't know either.
