Language/Tagalog/Vocabulary/Common-Foods
As a Filipino language teacher, I am excited to teach you about the Tagalog vocabulary related to food and drink. The Filipino cuisine is known for its rich flavor influenced by indigenous, Chinese, Malay, and Spanish cuisine. Filipino dishes can be savory, sweet, and sour all at the same time, perfect for adventurous foodies! In this lesson, we will focus on the common foods found in the Filipino diet.
Fruits
Filipinos love fruits, and they are incorporated into everyday meals, desserts, and snacks. Here are some commonly used fruits in Tagalog:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mansanas | mahn-sah-nahs | apples |
| saging | sah-ging | bananas |
| pakwan | pah-kwahn | watermelon |
| mangga | mahng-gah | mangoes |
| pakwan | pah-kwahn | watermelons |
| kalabasa | kah-lah-bah-sah | squash |
- Mangoes are considered the national fruit of the Philippines and come in a variety of textures and flavors. Filipinos love to eat them ripe or green, and they are often used in shakes and desserts.
- Squash is a versatile vegetable that can be added into soups, stews, or sautéed with meat. It is a rich source of Vitamin A and helps lower bad cholesterol.
Vegetables
Filipinos love vegetables, and they are a staple in many Filipino dishes. Here are some commonly used vegetables in Tagalog:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sitaw | see-tahw | string beans |
| talong | tah-lohng | eggplants |
| kamote | kah-moh-teh | sweet potatoes |
| luya | loo-yah | ginger |
| patatas | pah-tah-tahs | potatoes |
- Eggplants are used in Filipino dishes such as tortang talong (eggplant omelet) and pinakbet (mixed vegetables).
- Ginger is used as a spice to add a distinct flavor to soups, stews, and meat dishes.
Meat
Filipinos love meat dishes, and many Filipino celebrations and gatherings revolve around roasted pigs, chicken, and beef. Here are some commonly used meats in Tagalog:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| baboy | bah-boy | pork |
| manok | mah-nok | chicken |
| baka | bah-kah | beef |
- Lechon (roasted pig) is a popular dish during special events and celebrations, such as weddings or fiestas.
- Adobo is a savory dish using chicken or pork and marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, and spices. It is considered the national dish of the Philippines.
Seafood
The Philippines is an archipelago comprised of over 7,000 islands, so it's no surprise that Filipinos love seafood. Here are some commonly used seafood in Tagalog:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| hipon | hee-pohn | shrimp |
| tilapia | teh-lah-pee-yah | tilapia |
| tulingan | too-leeng-ahn | mackerel |
| pusit | poo-seet | squid |
| bangus | bahn-goos | milkfish |
- Sinigang is a sour soup dish using tamarind as the base, often paired with fish or shrimp.
- Adobong pusit is a classic Filipino dish using squid, marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, onion, and pepper.
I hope this vocabulary lesson helped you expand your knowledge of Tagalog food and drink. Don't be afraid to try new Filipino dishes and immerse yourself in the rich culture and flavors of the Philippines!
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