Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is a standardized of High Malay officially recognized in Indonesia, meanwhile in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, it has a slightly different standardized forms eventhough still have large mutual intelligibility. In general, all are actually dialectical variations and if it’s called different language, it’s about nationalism and political aspects.
Filipino or standardized Tagalog (Wikang Pilipino) is one of official language in The Philippines and belongs to the same big Austronesian family with Indonesian and Malay though different branches. Among us, there are many similar words found and recognized in different pronunciations or contexts. I am not good at Tagalog, but I love exploring languages. Well, in my computer I’ve already made lists between those languages. But I concentrate to the similar sounded words (at least prefix) only.
I don’t talk about numbers…okay?
Tagalog Indonesian English
Kulang Kurang Inadequate
Ulan Hujan Rain
Mata Mata Eyes
Tainga Telinga Ears
Kulungan (jail) Kurungan (cage) Jail (Penjara in Ind)
Kambing Kambing Goat
Kambal Kembar Twins
Gunting Gunting Scissors
Niyog Nyiur/Kelapa Coconut
Usa Rusa Deer
Tumawa Tertawa To laugh
Bumili Beli, membeli To buy
Tulong Tolong Help
Masarap Sedap, enak, lezat Delicious
Buwan Bulan Moon
Alak Arak Alcoholic beverage
Bathala Batara, Dewa Deity
Balita Berita News (Balita =toddler)
Patay Mati Dead
Bangkay Bangkai (for animal) Dead body
Daon Daun Leaf
Bituin Bintang Star
Langit Langit Sky
Hangin Angin Wind
Bato Batu Stone
Magbigay Bagi, beri To give
Buka Buka Open
Kanan Kanan Right (direction)
Bago Baru New
Baboy Babi Pig
Dugo Darah Blood
Pulo (besides Isla) Pulau Island
Mababa Bawah Low, down
Mataas Atas Up
Sakit Sakit Sick
Takot Takut Fear, afraid of
Taon Tahun Year
Lambak Lembah Valley
Upahan Upah Pay, rent, tenant
Utang Hutang, utang Debt
Anak Anak Child
Balik Balik, kembali Return
Kami Kami We (exclusive)
Ako Aku, saya I
Ikaw Kau, engkau You
Niya Dia He/She
Kalapati Merpati Dove
Kuto Kutu Leech
Puto Putu a kind of rice cake
Sumpa Sumpah Oath
Magkasama Bersama, sama-sama Together
Galang Gelang Bracelet
Paa Paha Limb
Lalaki Lelaki, laki-laki Man
Mura Murah Cheap
Mahal Mahal Expensive
Manipis Tipis Thin
Pinto Pintu Door
Diwa Jiwa Spirit
Mabigat Berat Heavy
Sangkot Sangkut Involved
Sulat Surat Letter
Puti Putih White
Apoy Api Fire
Itim Hitam Black
Ulang Udang Prawn
Mangga Mangga Mango
Inumin Minuman Beverage
Guro Guru Teacher
Gumulong Gulung, menggulung Roll
Maasim Asam Sour taste
Palay Padi Rice grain
Pag-asa Asa, harapan Hope
Magtanim, tanim Menanam, tanam To plant
Samantala Sementara Meanwhile
I also found many similar sounded words with other Indonesian languages, such as between Sundanese and Javanese, then. This is just what I know.
Filipino Sundanese Indonesian English
Matamis Amis Manis Sweet
Ngayon Ayeuna Sekarang Now
Filipino Javanese Indonesian English
Paglangoy Nglangi Berenang Swim
Lindol Lindu Gempa bumi Earthquake
Ulang Urang Udang Prawn, lobster etc
Harap Ngarep Depan Front
Mapait Pait Pahit Bitter
Kili-kili Kelek Ketiak Armpit
Tulog/Pagtulog Turu Tidur Sleep
Ilong Irung Hidung Nose
Aso Asu Anjing Dog
Indonesian and Filipino have some different grammatical systems and loan words. Indonesian’s loan words derived from Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and recently English, also loan from local languages. Meanwhile Filipino loans word from Sanskrit, Arabic, Spanish, some Portuguese, Chinese and massively English as well as the respective local vernaculars. Just for example.
Gusto ko mangga (Phil)
Aku/saya suka mangga (Ina/Mal)
I like mango
Sumagot siya sa propesor (Phil)
Dia menjawab (pertanyaan) profesor (Ina)
He/She answered the professor
Mahal kita (Phil)
Aku mencintaimu (Ina)
I love you
Fine, I think is enough for this moment. Once more, I am not good at Filipino, but sometimes I watch Pinoy channels through internet and gradually understand it step by step. Pssstt…not just Tagalog but others at least in the lowest level. I intended to write it besides for fun, I also hope that Indonesians/Malaysians will have more understanding to this distant cousin language, as well as The Pinoys/Pinays if you wanna know more about your neighbour’s language too.
Terima kasih banyak
Maraming salamat po
Thank you very much
Tangerang, 9 Oktober/Oktubre/October 2016
