Animals

1. Aso

   Dog

   Usage

   Free-roaming dogs are everywhere. "Kinagat ako ng aso" means "a dog bit me" — rabies is present, so always see a doctor

2. Pusa

   Cat

   Usage

   Common around markets and eateries — an easy conversation starter

3. Ibon

   Bird

   Usage

   Birds in general. Careful: Cebuano "langgam" means bird, while Tagalog "langgam" means ant

4. Isda

   Fish

   Usage

   Works for ordering and for snorkelling talk. "Inihaw na isda" is grilled fish

5. Kabayo

   Horse

   Usage

   From Spanish "caballo" — used for Manila's kalesa carriages and horse rides at Taal

6. Baka

   Cow

   Usage

   Beef is "karne ng baka". The word sounds like something else to Japanese speakers, but it is entirely ordinary here

7. Kalabaw

   Carabao (water buffalo)

   Usage

   The buffalo regarded as a national symbol, a constant sight in rice country. Its milk makes the local cheese "kesong puti"

8. Baboy

   Pig

   Usage

   Central to Filipino food — "lechon baboy" is the celebration roast. In the Muslim south of Mindanao, raise it with care

9. Manok

   Chicken

   Usage

   Constantly useful. "Inasal na manok" is grilled chicken

10. Bibe

    Duck

    Usage

    Ducks in general. The native duck is "itik", and its eggs are what balut is made from

11. Kambing

    Goat

    Usage

    "Kalderetang kambing" is goat stew — use the word to check what is in a dish

12. Tupa

    Sheep

    Usage

    Rarely farmed in the Philippines — the word turns up when checking for lamb, or in church sermons

13. Elepante

    Elephant

    Usage

    There are no wild elephants in the Philippines — the word comes up at zoos

14. Unggoy

    Monkey

    Usage

    Seen in parks and on outlying islands — never show them food. Do not aim the word at a person; it is an insult

15. Tarsier

    Usage

    One of the world's smallest primates, seen at the Bohol sanctuary. They are acutely stress-prone — no flash, no raised voices

16. Tigre

    Tiger

    Usage

    From Spanish. There are no wild tigers here, so the word belongs to zoo conversations

17. Ahas

    Snake

    Usage

    "Kinagat ako ng ahas" means "a snake bit me" — an emergency phrase. You do meet them on trails and in paddies

18. Buwaya

    Crocodile

    Usage

    A genuine hazard in Palawan and Mindanao rivers, and a word you will hear at crocodile farms

19. Pagong

    Turtle

    Usage

    One word for sea turtles and tortoises alike — it comes up constantly when diving at Apo Island or in Palawan

20. Palaka

    Frog

    Usage

    They form a chorus on rainy nights, and in the provinces frog does appear on menus

21. Butiki

    House lizard

    Usage

    The little gecko on your guesthouse wall. Harmless, and it eats the insects — no need to chase it out

22. Tuko

    Tokay gecko

    Usage

    The big gecko that shouts its own name at night. Use the word to explain what kept you awake

23. Bayawak

    Monitor lizard

    Usage

    A big lizard seen by rivers and mangroves. It avoids people, so just keep your distance

24. Daga

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    For reporting a hygiene problem. One word covers rats and mice alike

25. Kuneho

    Rabbit

    Usage

    From Spanish "conejo" — used at petting zoos and in conversations about pets

26. Paniki

    Bat

    Usage

    For cave visits in Bohol and Samar; some sites are famous for the evening exodus

27. Lamok

    Mosquito

    Usage

    The one you will use most. "May lamok" means "there are mosquitoes". Dengue is present, so repellent is essential

28. Ipis

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Show it to raise a hygiene problem — no need to argue, the screen says it

29. Langgam

    Ant

    Usage

    In Tagalog this is an ant — but in Cebuano the identical word means a bird, so the meaning flips in the Visayas. Use it to report ants in your room

30. Bubuyog

    Bee

    Usage

    Used to report a sting. "Pulot" is honey

31. Gagamba

    Spider

    Usage

    For a spider in your room or a mountain hut. Spider fighting is also a children's pastime here

32. Alupihan

    Centipede

    Usage

    The bite hurts badly — show the word at a clinic if you are bitten

33. Paruparo

    Butterfly

    Usage

    For the butterfly gardens in Bohol and Palawan. Also spelled "paru-paro"

34. Langaw

    Fly

    Usage

    Used when you are worried about hygiene at a stall. It differs from "langgam" (ant) by one letter, so showing it in writing helps

35. Dikya

    Jellyfish

    Usage

    Stings do happen at some beaches — show the word to ask for first aid. In parts of the Visayas it is called "salabay"

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