putting lalaki
The English phrase white boy is translated into Tagalog as putting lalaki.
The phrase putting lalaki is used to describe a male person of European descent. In informal contexts, you may also encounter terms like Amerikano, which refers to an American or someone of American descent and can describe any white person or Kano, a colloquial term for Americans or white individuals in general.
Did you know?
- The word puti for 'white' is also used in Tagalog to describe a 'fair' or 'light' complexion, which is historically viewed as a sign of high social status due to colonial influences.
- The word lalaki comes from a root that means 'husband' in Malay. In modern Tagalog, it has expanded to describe any male person regardless of marital status.
