labuyo
labuyô with stress marks
wild chicken; small hot chili, wild pepper
Usage Note
Labuyo most commonly refers to the tiny, extremely hot red or green chili pepper (siling labuyo) that is integral to Filipino cooking and condiment culture. It also refers to the wild jungle fowl, the ancestor of domesticated chickens. The chili is used in vinegar dips, sauces, and as a general heat source in Filipino cuisine.
Examples
" May labuyo sa luto. "
Natural Translation
There's wild chili in the dish.
Literal Translation
Has wild-chili in dish.
" Maanghang ang labuyo. "
Natural Translation
The wild chili is spicy.
Literal Translation
Spicy the wild-chili.
" Naglagay ako ng kaunting labuyo sa suka dahil mas masarap ang isda kapag may konting anghang. "
Natural Translation
I put a little wild chili in the vinegar because the fish tastes better with a bit of spice.
Literal Translation
Put I of little wild-chili in vinegar because more delicious the fish when has little spice.
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 workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Ang, Ng, Sa: The 3 Tagalog Case Markers Explained
Ang, ng, sa are the three Tagalog case markers every noun takes. Learn what each does, the personal forms si/ni/kay, plurals with mga, and clear examples.
Tagalog Verb Conjugation: Aspects Made Simple
Tagalog verb conjugation uses aspects, not tenses. Learn the three aspects with -um- and mag- verbs, one reduplication rule, and clear example tables.
Filipino Family Words and Honorifics: Ate, Kuya & Tita
Filipino family words like ate, kuya, tita, tito, lolo, and lola go far beyond family — learn how Filipinos use them with strangers, plus mano po etiquette.
Is Tagalog Hard to Learn? An Honest Answer
Tagalog takes around 1,100 hours to reach professional proficiency. Here is what is easy, what is hard, and what to expect at 3, 6, and 12 months.