siko
síkò with stress marks
elbow; to nudge with the elbow
Usage Note
Siko is the standard Tagalog word for elbow, but as a verb — suminiko or sikuhin — it means to nudge someone with the elbow, a common non-verbal cue among Filipinos to draw attention without speaking. The gesture signals that something important or funny is happening nearby.
Examples
" Masakit ang siko ko. "
Natural Translation
My elbow hurts.
Literal Translation
Painful the elbow my.
" Nasugatan ang kanyang siko nang siya ay madapa. "
Natural Translation
His/her elbow was injured when he/she tripped.
Literal Translation
Injured the his/her elbow when he/she tripped.
" Tahimik niya akong sinikuhan nang mapansin niyang natutulog na ako sa gitna ng pulong. "
Natural Translation
She quietly nudged me with her elbow when she noticed I had fallen asleep in the middle of the meeting.
Literal Translation
Quietly she me nudged-with-elbow when noticed she sleeping already I in middle of meeting.
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