tanga
tangâ with stress marks
stupid; to gape or stare
Usage Note
Tanga is one of the most common Tagalog insults, meaning stupid, foolish, or dimwitted. It is used freely in casual speech among friends as a teasing term, but can be highly offensive in formal or unfamiliar contexts. It also describes the act of staring blankly or vacantly. Use with caution.
Examples
" Huwag kang tanga. "
Natural Translation
Don't be stupid.
Literal Translation
Don't you stupid.
" Huwag kang maging tanga sa pag-ibig. "
Natural Translation
Do not be stupid in love.
Literal Translation
Don't you be stupid in love.
" Akala niya ay tanga ang lahat, kaya hindi siya nakinig sa payo at siya rin ang nalugi sa huli. "
Natural Translation
He thought everyone was stupid, so he didn't listen to advice, and in the end he was the one who lost out.
Literal Translation
Thought he is stupid the everyone, so not he listened to-the advice and he also the lost in-the end.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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