siga
sigâ with stress marks
a bully; tough guy; a bonfire
Also means
Siga also refers to a bonfire or a large open fire lit for warmth or celebration when the stress is on the first syllable.
Usage Note
Siga in street culture and youth slang describes someone who acts tough, picks fights, and intimidates others — a bully or small-time gangster. This sense is distinct from the bonfire meaning, and both senses remain alive in contemporary Tagalog.
Examples
" Siga ang lalaking iyon. "
Natural Translation
That man is a tough guy.
Literal Translation
Tough-guy the man that.
" Kilala siyang siga sa kanilang lugar. "
Natural Translation
He/she is known as a tough guy in their area.
Literal Translation
Known he/she tough guy in their area.
" Akala ng bagong lipat na siga na siya ang hari ng kanto, ngunit hindi pala siya kilala ng mga tunay na naninirahan doon. "
Natural Translation
The newly arrived tough guy thought he was the king of the street corner, but it turned out the real residents there did not know him.
Literal Translation
Thought of-the newly moved tough-guy that he the king of-the corner, but not he known as-it-turns-out by-the real residents there.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workActor Focus Verbs
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