gigil
gígil with stress marks
trembling (anger/fondness), cuteness aggression
Usage Note
Gigil is a culturally specific Filipino emotion — the involuntary urge to squeeze, pinch, or grip something overwhelmingly cute, or the trembling tension of barely suppressed excitement or anger. The concept has no direct English equivalent, and has attracted international attention as an example of a Filipino-specific emotion word. It applies to cute babies, pets, and beloved objects as well as to extreme frustration.
Examples
" Gigil ako sa baby! "
Natural Translation
I feel cuteness aggression toward the baby!
Literal Translation
Trembling I in baby!
" May gigil ang nanay sa taba ng bata. "
Natural Translation
The mother feels a trembling fondness for the child's fat.
Literal Translation
There-is trembling the mother in fat of child.
" Sobrang gigil ko sa pisngi ng pamangkin ko kaya lagi ko itong kinukurot kapag nakikita. "
Natural Translation
I feel such cuteness aggression toward my niece's cheeks that I always pinch them whenever I see her.
Literal Translation
Very trembling my in cheek of niece my so always I this pinch when seen.
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