hipag
/ˈhipaɡ/
The Tagalog word for sister-in-law is hipag.
hipag is the term used to refer to the sister of one's spouse.
Which one should you use?
While hipag is used for a sister-in-law, the term bayaw is used to refer to a brother-in-law.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, sisters-in-law, place the plural marker mga before the word to get mga hipag.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhipaɡ/
Did you know?
- The word hipag is part of a linguistic family that stretches to Indonesia, where the word ipar is used for the same relative.
- Filipinos often add the honorific Ate before hipag to show respect if the sister-in-law is older than the speaker.
- Tagalog distinguishes between the sister of a spouse with hipag and the wife of a brother, who is often referred to as hipag but is conceptually a different kinship link.
Examples in context
- Mabait ang hipag ko.My sister-in-law is kind.
- Nasaan ang hipag mo?Where is your sister-in-law?
- May regalo ako para sa hipag mo.I have a gift for your sister-in-law.
Example conversation
Jose and Jasmine are talking about a family gathering.
- JoseKasama mo ba ang hipag mo?Is your sister-in-law with you?
- JasmineOo, kasama ko siya.Yes, she is with me.
- JoseSaan kayo pupunta?Where are you two going?
- JasminePupunta kami sa mall.We are going to the mall.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hipag, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hipag, CC BY-SA 4.0.
