Greetings word-fiends! Today we tackle one of the famous impossible to translate words! A word famous for having no English counterpart, who’s very essence is beyond the tongue of an Englishman. We are talking about the word ‘gigil’ that originates from the Filipino language in the Philippines.

The Constitution of the Philippines states that the nation has two official languages, both English and Filipino. However Tagalog deserves a mention and this tongue is the basis of the Filipino language.

Most simply ‘gigil’ is used to describe a feeling that is most familiar to perfumed and lipsticked aunts and great-aunts the world over, and indeed, to anyone who frequents those bright corners of the internet where collections of kitten videos are stowed. ‘Gigil’ is the urge to pinch or squeeze something that is irresistibly cute. But, upon closer examination we find that this simple definition has a darker side.

A more thorough definition of this word would be, “A gnashing or gritting of the teeth, along with a trembling or quivering of the body and tight gripping of the hands, in response to suppressing an overwhelming emotion, such as eagerness, pleasure, thrill, anger, or fondness.”

Let us examine this lovely little example of a sentence, “Hindi ko mapigil ang gigil ko sa kanya”. In English this can mean “I cannot resist being angry at him” OR mean the exact opposite, “I cannot resist being fond of him”. In this situation, as with many parts of the Filipino language, the translation depends on the context. 

There are some 120 to 187 languages and dialects in the Philippines, depending on the method of classification. Almost all are Malayo-Polynesian languages. A number of Spanish-influenced creole varieties generally called Chavacano are also spoken in certain communities.

There are ways to be more clear though. When a Filipina sees a cute baby, she feels a barely controllable desire to pinch the baby’s cheeks and has a hard time controlling herself. What she’s experiencing is called ‘panggigigil’.

Isn’t language wonderful?

Written by Taylor Davidson, Read by Zane C Weber

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