If you read or hear “Forda estetik naman ang ferson!”, would you get it?
These and other slang used by Filipino Gen Zs are seen as a dynamic evolution of the Filipino language that reflects its generation’s cultural influences and own experiences, according to the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).
The language progresses because of the youth and young adults who often use social media and the internet, the commission added.
The emerging slang can be considered a new form of the Filipino language, KWF Commissioner Benjamin Mendillo Jr. said.
“‘Yung mga lumalabas na bagong anyo na mga salita bunsod din po ‘yan ng pagiging malikhain ng mga kabataan,” he said in a July 29 press conference for the “Buwan ng Wika” or Language Month.
(The new forms of words are the results of the creativity of the youth)
The trending slang combines new, shortened terminology with traditional Filipino words, drawing inspiration from pop culture, social media, and global trends.
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So here are some common Gen-Z slang words that are often used in daily conversation and what they mean now:
Boogsh — a contemporary take on “bongga”; used as an expression when something is extravagant.
Estetik — used to describe something or someone attractive or beautiful.
Dogshow — making jokes or poking fun at someone or something.
Dasurv — from the English word “deserve”; used when something happens to someone, whether positive or negative. Can be translated as “Buti nga sa’yo” or “good for you”.
Lavarn — from the Filipino word “laban”; an expression to cheer up or encourage someone.
Omsim — reverse of the Filipino word “mismo” which means “correct”, “true” and “exactly”.
Awit — combination of the word “aw” and “sakit” which means “aww, it hurts”.
GEN Z SLANG IN THE DICTIONARY?
The KWF said it plans to include words like these in its dictionary of Filipino words to serve as a bridge to further expand the youth’s knowledge of their language.
This is in keeping as well with this year’s Buwan ng Wika theme: “Filipino: Wikang Mapagpalaya”
“Batay sa katuturang mula sa mga diksyonaryo, tatlong konteksto ang mahuhugot ng katuturan ng salitang ‘laya’ o ‘kalayaan’,” Mendillo explained.
“Una, ang estado ng pagiging walang hadlang o balakid; ikalawa, ang pagkawala sa kalayaan ng pagiging alipin; at ikatlo, tumutukoy ito sa likas na kapangyarihan ng bawat tao upang gawin ang gusto o nais,”
(Based on the meaning from the dictionaries, three contexts can be drawn from the meaning of the word ‘free’ or ‘freedom’. First, the state of being free from hindrance or obstacle; second, the loss of freedom from slavery; and third, it refers to the natural power of each person to do what they want.)
In English, the Oxford English Dictionary recently recognized words such as “rizz”— short for charisma — as part of its own growth
