Skip to content

ismid

ísmid with stress marks

smirk

noun verb IS-mid Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Ismid refers to a smirk or slight, knowing smile, often conveying smugness, teasing, or sarcasm. The verb nag-ismid captures someone doing this gesture. It is a very recognizably Filipino facial expression that communicates attitude without words.

Examples

Beginner

" Ismid lang ang sagot niya. "

Natural Translation

His only answer was a smirk.

Literal Translation

Smirk only the answer his.

Intermediate

" Ang ismid niya ay hindi maganda. "

Natural Translation

His/Her smirk is not nice.

Literal Translation

The smirk his/her is not good.

Advanced

" Sa halip na sumagot nang tahasan, isang ismid lamang ang ibinigay niya na para bang minamaliit ang aking tanong. "

Natural Translation

Instead of answering directly, he just gave a smirk, as if belittling my question.

Literal Translation

In place of answering directly, one smirk only the gave he that like belittling the my question.

Free · iOS & Android

Take Tagalog with you

The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.

Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.

How Tagalog words work

Actor Focus Verbs

Explore Tagalog by topic

Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.