10 Filipino curse words used by Pinoys on a daily basis

Filipinos are known for their colourful language, and everyday conversations often include a variety of expressions, some of which are strong or humorous. Pinoys like using Filipino curse words to express frustration, surprise, or even playful teasing among friends. While some may sound harsh, they are often part of casual speech and cultural humour.

Key takeaways

• Some Filipino curse words originated from Spanish influence, reflecting the country’s history.
• Many curse words have alternate spellings or slang variations used in casual speech.
• Words like “gago” and “tarantado” are commonly used to call someone foolish.
• Expressions such as “buwisit,” “leche,” and “pucha” show annoyance or frustration.

A list of Filipino curse words

Diving deeper into the word list, it helps to understand how these expressions are used in everyday conversations. Some may sound harsh, while others are used casually among friends or in humorous situations. Below is a list of commonly heard Filipino curse words with meaning to help you better understand their usage in daily Filipino speech.

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1. Gago

If someone refers to you as this cuss, it means that you’ve done something foolish, or it is simply another term for ‘fool’. However, before its meaning evolved to that, the word referred to someone who is a nervous wreck. Can you believe that you’re going to be cussed out for stuttering under extreme pressure?

Its other variations are: Gaga (a female version of the term), Gagi, Ogag (spelt backwards) and Kagaguhan (referring to actions of foolishness)

Examples of cursing in Tagalog:

• Ginago ka na nga, hindi ka pa rin natuto! (He fooled you, yet you never learned!)
• Isa siyang gaga sa pakikipagbalikan sa ex niya. (She’s a fool for getting back with her ex.)
• Tigilan niyo ‘yang kagaguhan niyo! (Stop it with your foolishness!)

2. Buwisit

This word is used when you’re a recipient of bad luck. It can also be used to express one’s irritation over something or someone. Its other variations are: Bwiset or Buset, which are just different spellings of the word.

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Examples of swearing in:

• Buwisit naman ‘yang ulan na ‘yan, hindi na naman kami natuloy! (Damn the rainy weather for not letting us proceed with our trip!)
• Panibagong araw na naman ng trabaho, bwiset! (It’s another day of work, damn it!)
• Buset ka, umalis pala kayong dalawa! (Damn you, the two of you went out together!)

3. Leche

Although it may literally mean ‘milk’ in Spanish, this word is a synonym of ‘bwisit’ that also expresses one’s annoyance with a person or an object. Its other variation is: Lechugas, which is actually the Tagalog term for ‘lettuce’. Weird, right?

Examples:

• ‘Lecheng pag-ibig ‘to!’ (Damn this love!)
• ‘Lechugas na babaeng ‘yan, pinaasa niya ako sa wala!’ (Damn this girl, she made me hope for nothing!)

4. Pakshet

This bad word should not be hard to identify since it is just a portmanteau of ‘fuck’ and ‘shit’. This, indeed, is the ultimate ‘sentence enhancer’ since, really, it can be used in any emotion you’re feeling.

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Its other variations are: Pakingshet (just -ing’ to ‘pak’) and pakyu (which is just ‘fuck you’ in Filipino but spelt more simply).

Examples:

• “Pakshet, naiwan ko yung laptop ko sa office!” (Damn it, I left my laptop at the office!)
• “Ay pakshet, nahulog yung phone ko!” (Oh damn, I dropped my phone!)
• “Pakshet naman, ang hirap ng problem na ‘to.” (Damn it, this problem is so difficult.)
• “Pakingshet, traffic na naman.” (Damn it, there’s traffic again.)

5. Pucha

Pucha is a common Filipino curse word used to express frustration, disappointment, or surprise. It is considered a milder alternative to stronger Tagalog swear words, similar to saying “damn” or “dang” in English. Many Filipinos use pucha in casual conversations when reacting to annoying or unexpected situations.

Examples of “Pucha” in Sentences

• “Pucha, naiwan ko yung charger ko sa bahay.” (Damn, I left my charger at home.)
• “Pucha naman, ang bagal ng internet!” (Damn it, the internet is so slow!)
• “Pucha, late na pala ako sa meeting.” (Damn, I’m already late for the meeting.)

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6. Ulol

This term refers to someone who’s out of his/her mind, but before, it used to describe rabid dogs. Well, is there any difference between the two?

Its other variations are: Ulul (which is how most people will use it these days, usually elongating the sound of the vowels) or Kaululan (which is ‘craziness’ when translated into English)

Examples:

• ‘Ayan na naman ‘yung kabit mong ulol!’ (Here goes your crazy mistress again!)
• ‘Sige lang, pagpatuloy mo lang ‘yang kaululan mo sa kanya.’ (Go ahead, continue to go crazy over this person.)

7. Lintik

It means ‘lighting’ in Filipino, but used as a curse means that you wish that someone, preferably a person you hate, gets struck by lightning too.

Unlike the other curse words in Tagalog, this has no variation.

Example:

• ‘Lintik lang ang walang ganti!’ (This is one of Philippine cinema’s most iconic lines, which appeared in the film sharing the same title.)

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8. Punyeta

Although this word has been back in rotation because of the film ‘Heneral Luna’, what it actually expresses is distress or dissatisfaction over something or someone. It also has Spanish roots, coming from the word ‘puño,’ which means ‘something to do with your fist.

Like ‘lintik’, this does not have any variation.

Example:

• ‘Punyeta sawi na naman ako!’ (Damn it, I’m heartbroken again!)

9. Tarantado

This word might have its origins from the Filipino word ‘taranta’, which means ‘to panic’, but this is actually another synonym for ‘gago’. Curses in Tagalog are just any other word – they have their synonyms.

Its variation is ‘tado’, which is a shorter way of saying it.

Examples:

• ‘Tarantado ‘yang kasamahan mo, hindi marunong umintindi.’ (Your friend is a fool; he/she does not know how to understand.)
• ‘Ay, tado ka naman eh! Nagmarunong ka sa bagay na hindi mo alam!’ (You are so foolish! You pretended like you knew what you were doing!)

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10. Bobo

Bobo is a commonly used Filipino insult or curse word that means “stupid,” “dumb,” or lacking intelligence. It is typically used to criticise someone who made a mistake, said something foolish, or failed to understand something obvious. Although widely heard in casual conversations, calling someone bobo can be offensive and disrespectful depending on the tone and situation.

Examples of “Bobo” in Sentences

• “Bobo ka ba? Mali na naman ‘yung sagot mo.” (Are you stupid? Your answer is wrong again.)
• “Ang bobo ko, naiwan ko yung wallet ko sa bahay.” (I’m so dumb, I left my wallet at home.)
• “Huwag kang maging bobo, basahin mo muna.” (Don’t be dumb, read it first.)

Is putek a bad word?

"Putek" is not a direct, vulgar swear word, but it is considered a mild, minced oath or a substitute for more vulgar Tagalog profanity. Literally, putek is Tagalog for "mud".

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Is pucha a bad word in Tagalog?

"Pucha" is considered a mild swear word or exclamation of frustration in Tagalog, similar to saying "damn" or "shoot". As explained on Reddit, it is generally not highly offensive, often used in casual conversation to express annoyance without being considered a major profanity, ranking low on the offence scale.

Is walang hiya a bad word?

Yes, walang hiya is considered a derogatory phrase and a form of insulting Tagalog profanity, translating to "shameless," "no shame," or "impudent". It is highly offensive as it attacks a person's character, accusing them of disregarding social, moral, or interpersonal expectations.

Funny Filipino curse words

These may sound harsh at first, but many Pinoys use them humorously in casual conversations with friends. Their humour often comes from exaggerated expressions, playful tone, or unusual word combinations. Here are a few funny Filipino curse words that are commonly heard in everyday talk:

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• Gagi – A playful version of gago often used among friends when someone does something silly.
• Puchanggala – A humorous twist on pucha, sounding similar to “pusang gala” (stray cat).

Filipino curse words meme

Many Filipino curse words memes turn everyday frustrations, awkward situations, or relatable moments into funny images, captions, or reaction posts. Because Filipinos often use exaggerated expressions, these memes become even funnier when paired with dramatic reactions or familiar curse words. Here are some popular examples;

• “Tangina Monday na naman!” – Used in memes about the struggle of going back to work or school after the weekend.
• “Bwiset, ubos na sweldo!” – A meme about salary disappearing quickly after payday.
• “Pucha, nakita ni mama!” – Often used in memes about getting caught by parents doing something wrong

Filipino curse words copy and paste:

Here are some commonly used ones in Tagalog. These are often used in casual conversations, memes, or online posts to express frustration, surprise, or annoyance.

• Gago
• Gagi
• Buwisit / Bwiset / Buset
• Leche
• Pakshet
• Pucha
• Ulol / Ulul
• Lintik
• Punyeta
• Tarantado / Tado
• Putangina / Tangina / Taena
• Amputa
• Puking ina
• Anak ka ng ina

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Filipino swear words sentences

Here are some common word sentences that show how these expressions are used in everyday conversation. These examples reflect typical situations where Filipinos express frustration, surprise, or annoyance.

• “Bwiset naman ‘to, traffic na naman!” (Damn it, there’s traffic again!)
• “Gago ka ba? Sabi ko huwag mong galawin ‘yan!” (Are you crazy/stupid? I told you not to touch that!)
• “Pucha, naiwan ko ‘yung phone ko sa bahay.” (Damn, I left my phone at home.)

Is Bobo a curse word?

Bobo = stupid. It's as offensive as its English equivalent, but it's fine when used as a banter remark with friends.

Is punyeta a bad word?

Punyeta, or Puñeta, is a curse word you often use to express things ranging from annoyance to confusion.

Is pongo a bad word?

It's a slang (chiefly… Military. derogatory. An educated man; an officer.

Understanding these Filipino curse words offers a glimpse into the expressive and lively nature of everyday Filipino communication. Although they can be offensive depending on the context, many are used casually among friends or in moments of frustration. Learning how and when they’re used can help you better understand Filipino conversations and humour.

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Kami.com.ph recently published an article about a list of 25 funny words, lines and phrases meaning of Conyo. In the Philippines, conyo expressions are known for sounding playful, exaggerated, or intentionally sosyal.

It is commonly used for humour, jokes, memes, and casual conversations rather than formal speech. Click on the link above to learn more!

Source: KAMI.com.gh