kanti
kánti with stress marks
nudge, light touch, tap
Usage Note
Kanti refers to a gentle nudge or tap, often used to discreetly get someone's attention without speaking. The action implies subtlety — a kanti is lighter and more covert than a full tap — and is typically used between people who are physically close, such as friends seated together.
Examples
" May kanti ako sa kanya. "
Natural Translation
I gave him/her a little nudge.
Literal Translation
Have nudge I to him/her.
" Ang kanti niya ay nagdala ng gulat. "
Natural Translation
His/Her nudge brought surprise.
Literal Translation
The nudge his/her did-bring of surprise.
" Isang mabilis na kanti lang sa siko ang ginawa ko para hindi siya umimik sa miting. "
Natural Translation
I just gave a quick nudge to the elbow so that he/she wouldn't speak up in the meeting.
Literal Translation
One quick nudge only to-the elbow the did I so-that not he/she speak in-the meeting.
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 workActor Focus Verbs
Object Focus Verbs
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Tagalog Pronouns Explained: Complete Chart with Examples
Every Tagalog pronoun explained with clear charts: ang/ng/sa forms, tayo vs kami, ikaw vs ka, politeness markers, and the mistakes beginners make.
Mano Po and Filipino Etiquette: A Visitor's Guide
Mano po presses an elder's hand to your forehead as a blessing. Learn who to mano, how to lip-point, and the etiquette that wins over a Filipino family.
Ng vs Nang in Tagalog: The Spelling Rule
Ng vs nang sound identical but spell differently. Use ng to mark nouns (of, the object), and nang for how, when, repetition, and counting time.
Tagalog Question Words: Ano, Sino, Saan & More
Tagalog question words like ano, sino, and saan need the right frame to work. Learn the ang-vs-pronoun rule, confusable pairs, and the ba particle with audio.