Skip to content

sukli

súkli with stress marks

change from purchase; something in return

noun verb SUK-li Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Sukli is the everyday word for monetary change when shopping, and also carries a figurative sense of reciprocation — giving something back in return for a favor or action. Asking for sukli is a normal part of any cash transaction in Philippine markets and stores.

Examples

Beginner

" Nasaan ang aking sukli? "

Natural Translation

Where is my change?

Literal Translation

Where the my change?

Intermediate

" Kinuha niya ang kanyang sukli. "

Natural Translation

He/she took his/her change.

Literal Translation

Took he/she the his/her change.

Advanced

" Pagkabili ko ng tinapay, hinintay ko muna ang aking sukli bago ako umalis sa tindahan. "

Natural Translation

After I bought the bread, I waited for my change first before I left the store.

Literal Translation

After-buying I of bread, waited I first the my change before I left in store.

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

Object Focus Verbs

Explore Tagalog by topic

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