tanga
/taˈŋa/
The Tagalog term tanga is used to describe a person who is stupid or foolish.
tanga is used to describe someone who is foolish, silly or lacking common sense.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tanga is an informal and often insulting term used to call someone stupid or foolish. An informal alternative is Engot, which is often used among friends in a light-hearted manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Tagalog, tanga can function as both a noun (a stupid person) and an adjective (being stupid).
How do you pronounce it?
/taˈŋa/
Did you know?
- In some linguistic theories, tanga is a loanword from the Hokkien Chinese term thâng-á, which actually means 'little vermin' or 'insect'.
- While tanga is a common insult in Tagalog, the same word is used with the same meaning in several other Philippine languages, including Ilocano, Cebuano and Tausug.
Examples in context
- engot ka!You fool!
- Ang tanga mo!You are so stupid!
- Ang tanga ko naman.I am so stupid.
Example conversation
Mark forgot his wallet at home after arriving at the cafe.
- AngelaNaiwan mo ang wallet mo?You left your wallet?
- MarkOo, ang tanga ko talaga.Yes, I am really stupid.
- AngelaHayaan mo na, ako na muna ang magbabayad.Don't worry about it, I'll pay for now.
- MarkSalamat, Angela.Thanks, Angela.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tanga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tanga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
