Do you know what hit shows like Superstore and Lucifer have in common? There are scenes where Tagalog was used! Filipino artists have made their mark in some of the best shows on Netflix, including Bridgerton, Stranger Things, Squid Game, and more. Their presence brings not just representation but also snippets of Filipino wisdom through proverbs in Tagalog.
These proverbs in Tagalog (known as "sawikain" or "salawikain") offer glimpses into Filipino culture, values, and wisdom. Whether you’re learning Tagalog or just curious about the meaningful phrases you’ve heard in your favorite Netflix shows, these traditional sayings pack powerful life lessons in just a few words. Let’s explore 30 Tagalog proverbs that have found their way into popular streaming content!
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10 Famous Proverbs In Tagalog
Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.
This profound proverb translates to "One who doesn't look back at where they came from won't reach their destination.” It emphasizes the importance of remembering your roots, history, and the people who helped shape you. Filipinos believe that acknowledging your past and learning from it is essential for personal growth and future success, as seen in shows like Hello, Love, Goodbye where characters struggle with cultural identity while working abroad.
Ubos-ubos biyaya, pagkatapos nakatunganga.
This common saying translates to "Use up all blessings, then end up staring blankly." It warns against squandering resources or opportunities without thinking about the future. Similar to the English phrase "feast today, famine tomorrow," this proverb teaches the value of saving and planning ahead rather than spending everything at once, a theme often portrayed in Filipino family dramas on Netflix.
Laging nasa huli ang pagsisisi.
Meaning "Regret always comes last," this proverb serves as a reminder that we often realize our mistakes only after we've made them. It encourages thoughtful decision-making and careful consideration of consequences before taking action. In many Filipino shows, characters face the aftermath of hasty choices, reinforcing this timeless wisdom about the nature of regret.
Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsang nasa ibabaw, minsang nasa ilalim.
"Life is like a wheel, sometimes you're on top, sometimes you're at the bottom." This philosophical proverb reflects the Filipino resilience in facing life's ups and downs. It reminds us that success and failure are both temporary states, and that maintaining perspective during both good and bad times is essential—a theme commonly explored in Filipino dramas depicting family struggles and triumphs.
Ang masamang damo ay matagal mamatay.
Literally meaning "Bad grass takes longer to die," this proverb is the Filipino equivalent of "Bad weeds grow tall." Often said jokingly about someone who seems indestructible despite unhealthy habits or dangerous situations, it appears in numerous Filipino action series on Netflix where villains seem to survive against all odds.
Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.
"If there is perseverance, there will be beef stew" is a colorful way of saying that patience and persistence lead to rewards. Nilaga (a popular Filipino beef stew) takes time to prepare properly, just as meaningful achievements require dedication and consistent effort. This proverb celebrates the Filipino value of hard work and appears in shows featuring characters overcoming obstacles through determination.
Pera na, naging bato pa.
"Money that turned into stone" describes a situation where something valuable becomes worthless, or an opportunity that slips away. This proverb cautions against letting good fortune go to waste or making poor decisions that diminish value. In Filipino dramas, characters often lament lost opportunities with this saying, particularly in stories about financial struggles.
Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.
"Mercy is in God, action is with man" reflects the Filipino balance between faith and personal responsibility. While divine providence plays a role in one's fate, this proverb emphasizes that humans must still take action and work hard rather than passively waiting for blessings. This sentiment appears in many Filipino family dramas where characters balance religious faith with practical efforts.
Habang may buhay, may pag-asa.
"While there is life, there is hope" encourages optimism even in the darkest times. This universally resonant proverb reminds Filipinos that as long as one is alive, there's always a chance for positive change and new beginnings. It's frequently referenced in emotional scenes of Filipino dramas where characters face seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Kapag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay.
"If someone throws a stone at you, throw bread back at them" is the Filipino version of "turning the other cheek." This proverb promotes responding to hostility with kindness and breaking cycles of revenge. It reflects Filipino values of forgiveness and peace-making, often highlighted in Netflix shows featuring family reconciliations or community conflicts that are resolved through compassion rather than retaliation.
Other Popular Tagalog Proverbs
Learning Filipino sayings becomes more engaging when you encounter them in your favorite shows and movies. Netflix has become an unexpected language teacher for many Tagalog learners who learn with movies by catching these pearls of wisdom in context. The following proverbs might appear less frequently than our top ten, but they're equally rich with cultural insights and practical wisdom that reflect Filipino values, humor, and perspective on life.
| Tagalog Proverb | English Translation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ang kapalaran ay nasa tao. | Destiny is in the person, not the person in destiny. | You control your own fate through choices and actions. |
| Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? | What use is grass if the horse is already dead? | Help or solutions that come too late are useless. |
| Kung ano ang itinanim, siya ring aanihin. | What you sow is what you will reap. | Your actions determine your outcomes. |
| Daig ng maagap ang masipag. | The early one defeats the hardworking one. | Being proactive often beats pure hard work. |
| Ang lumalakad ng matulin, madalas madapa. | Those who walk too fast often trip. | Rushing leads to mistakes. |
| Ang taong hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa hayop at malansang isda. | A person who doesn't love their own language is worse than an animal and stinking fish. | Value your cultural heritage and language. |
| Kung hindi ukol, hindi bubukol. | If it's not meant for you, it won't happen. | Some things are destined (or not) to be part of your life. |
| Ang karukhaan ay hindi hadlang sa pagtatagumpay. | Poverty is not a barrier to success. | Your economic status doesn't determine your potential. |
| Walang mahirap na gawain kung masayá ang kalooban. | No task is difficult if the heart is happy. | Attitude and perspective make challenges easier. |
| Hindi lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto. | Not everything that glitters is gold. | Appearances can be deceiving. |
| Walang mataas na bakod sa taong gustong umakyat. | No fence is too high for someone who wants to climb. | Determination overcomes obstacles. |
| Aanhin pa ang palasyo kung ang nakatira ay kuwago? | What use is a palace if an owl lives in it? | Material wealth means little without happiness or good company. |
| Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ay huwag magalit. | Throw stones at the sky, whoever gets hit shouldn't get angry. | Don't take offense when general criticism applies to you. |
| Kung anong puno, siyang bunga. | Whatever the tree, so is the fruit. | Children often inherit their parents' traits. |
| Mabuti pa ang mabagal, kung sigurado. | Better to be slow if certain. | Careful consideration is better than hasty action. |
| Magbiro ka na sa lasing, huwag lang sa bagong gising. | Joke with a drunk person, but not with someone who just woke up. | Be mindful of when to joke with people. |
| Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit sa hayop at malansang isda. | One who doesn't love their own language is worse than an animal and rotten fish. | Cultural identity and language are sacred. |
| Walang utang na hindi pinagbabayaran. | There's no debt that isn't paid. | All actions have consequences, eventually. |
| Ang tubig na mahinahon ay malalalim. | Still waters run deep. | Quiet people often have profound thoughts. |
| Kung may sinuksok, may madudukot. | If you put something away, there will be something to pull out later. | Saving and preparing ensures future security. |
Spotted these proverbs in Tagalog while binging your favorite Netflix shows? That's just scratching the surface of Filipino wisdom!
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