27+ Best Household Items Vocabulary In Tagalog

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a mother holding an iron.

They say you can learn many things in a Filipino household. So today, let’s learn about household items vocabulary in Tagalog to understand further what makes a Pinoy na Pinoy home.

In the latest Spiderman movie, we had a glimpse of what a typical Filipino household looks like through Ned’s and Lola’s houses. But of course, actual Filipino houses are different in the Philippines. From the wooden furniture and decorations to oddly beautiful wall decorations and religious artifacts, a Filipino household is really worth discovering.

Here, you will learn Tagalog about household items in the Philippines and the culture behind the words to make things more interesting. Spoiler alert: many house vocabulary in Tagalog were derived from foreign languages like Spanish and English, making them easier to learn.

Essential Household Items Vocabulary In Tagalog

A Filipino house is not just a structure where people live to survive. For Filipinos, a house is where people can be with their family and take care of each other because a house is their home. So, it’s no surprise that Filipinos are very particular about every household item they own, and that’s what we’re going to begin our lesson with today.

This list of household items vocabulary in Tagalog ranges from traditional to modern home items. It’s also important to learn that most everyday household items do not have Tagalog translations.

Do you want to learn more about Tagalog? If so, then you should try the Ling app. It’s a fun language app that you can use to learn the Tagalog language and 60+ more in an easy way. Get it from Google Play and App Store and take advantage of the 7-day free trial. Now, here is the list of standard household items vocabulary in Tagalog:

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of abaniko

1. Abaniko Or Pamaypay (Hand Fan)

The Philippines is a tropical country with humid temperatures, so Filipinos always have their abaniko with them. It came from the Spanish word abanico, and the Tagalog word for this is pamaypay.

Abaniko is a hand-held fan that can be made of different things. The most common and traditional is the one made of anahaw leaves. There is also another kind which is made of lace or pineapple silk and wood handles.

Aside from beating the heat, abaniko is also used by women back then to cover their faces. Remember that Filipino women were taught to be conservative and modest. When they smile or laugh, they usually use abaniko to cover their face.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of altar

2. Altar (Altar)

Another household item vocabulary in Tagalog that you’ll learn is the altar. There’s no actual translation of the altar in the Filipino language, but the pronunciation is different. The pronunciation in Filipino is faster than the English word.

Catholicism was brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards. As of February 2024, the Philippines is the third-largest Catholic country in the world. In fact, only a Catholic country in Asia. So, it’s not surprising that one of the first things you’ll see in a typical Filipino house is an altar. But take note that Roman Catholic is just one of the religions in the Philippines and differs from Born Again Christians, so you won’t find altars in their home.

An altar typically has a small crucifix, a small Sto. Niño statue, bible, rosary, candles, prayer books, religious images, and flowers. The altar usually found in a Filipino house is small, but it can be bigger. It is very uncommon to see a Roman Catholic Filipino house without an altar.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of arinola

3. Arinola (Urinal Or Chamber Pot)

Almost every traditional Filipino household has an arinola at their home. In the provinces, it is commonly used as a urinal since the comfort rooms are usually outside the house. Because of this, it’s very inconvenient to go outside to take a pee, so arinola is very useful. When you visit the house of a Filipino grandmother (Lola), you’ll be more likely to find a urinal or chamber pot.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a banig

4. Banig (Mat)

You’ll seldom find a mattress in a traditional Filipino house because they usually use banig. It is a hand-woven mat that Filipinos use for sleeping. Typically, a simple family has one banig in the house, but some always have extra banig for guests. So don’t be surprised if a Filipino offers you to sleep on a banig. But pro tip: you should definitely try.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a baunan

5. Baunan (Container For Packed Lunch Or Food)

If you wanna live a long life in a Filipino household, do not ever lose any baunan or reusable containers that your mom lets you use for your packed food. Native Filipinos will agree that Filipino moms are really weird about plastic containers like Tupperware. They would get angry if you lost it. Even if it is an empty plastic ice cream container is no difference. Even the comedian Jo Koy has his own story about this.

Baunan is one of the typical household objects that you can find in Filipino houses. These containers are used in different ways. It can be used for your packed lunch in school or work. During celebrations, these reusable containers are used to take some food home.

Most of all, it can also be used to store leftover food to be put in the fridge. So, don’t be disappointed if you open the fridge and you find an ice cream container with marinated fish inside. Seriously? Seriously!

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a bayong

6. Bayong (Woven Basket)

Another important item in a Filipino household is a bayong. It is a woven basket that is typically used by Filipino moms when buying in the market. A bayong is colorful most of the time, and it’s spacious, and it’s definitely sturdy! They can literally put everything inside it.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a bentilador

7. Bentilador (Electric Fan)

Bentilador is also one of the common words you should know when learning about household items vocabulary in Tagalog. The houses of ordinary or average Filipinos do not use air conditioning units even though it’s usually hot in the Philippines. Instead, they use bentilador or electric fan.

The word bentilador has a Spanish influence. It is preferred more by ordinary Filipinos because using an air conditioning system will make electric bills high, so they typically use bentilador. Typical houses are also made of wood, so an electric cooling system is not really ideal.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a bilao

8. Bilao (Traditional Rice Winnowing Basket)

Another essential household item in a Filipino household is a bilao. It is primarily used to separate the rice grain from its hull. Since rice is a staple in a Filipino meal, back in the day, this is definitely a must-have in a Filipino household.

Nowadays, Filipinos also use a bilao to put their rice cakes or kakanin such as biko, pichi-pichi, palitaw, and more. Even in these modern times, a bilao is still one of the things that are very essential in Filipino culture.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a bolo

9. Bolo / Itak / Gulok (Large Native Knife Or Machete)

Bolo, itak, or gulok are the same thing, and they are a kind of knife that almost every Filipino household has. It is a cutting tool that originated in the Philippines. These large sharp knives are commonly used by farmers and are tied on their waists as a farming and self defense tool and can be used to cut different things, such as tall grass, coconuts, tree branches, and more.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a bunot

10. Bunot (Coconut Husk)

Bunot, or a coconut husk, is used to make a wooden floor shiny and clean because a traditional Filipino house is not made of tiles or cement. If you go to rural places, even in some old houses in Manila, wooden floors are still used.

It’s pretty easy to use a bunot, but it’s tiring and requires lots of energy. You’ll basically scrub the floor but instead of hands, you’ll use one of your feet. It’s a good exercise because you will be moving a lot. Making these wooden floors shiny and clean using a bunot is a very important task for Filipino children, especially the bunso or the youngest in the family.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a dekorasyon sa dingding

11. Dekorasyon Sa Dingding Or Palamuti Sa Dingding (Wall Decorations)

If you’re a Filipino or have at least visited a Filipino house, raise your hand if you have already seen a painting or a picture of “The Last Supper.” How about the big wooden fork and spoon? You’ll typically see these few wall decorations in a Filipino house.

Dekorasyon or palamuti means “decorations” while dingding or pader means “wall.” Filipinos love to decorate their houses, and the most common decorations aside from the two mentioned above are the following:

  • Graduation pictures

  • Family pictures

  • Cross stitches

  • Wedding pictures

  • Painting of fruits

  • Painting of animals like horses

  • Painting of angels
household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of bidyo geyms

12. Bidyo Geyms / Mga Laro (Video Games / Game Console)

Although this word does not have a Tagalog translation, I will still include this on the list because it’s very relevant. Aside from the Larong Pinoy or the traditional Filipino childhood games, video games and family game consoles make the 90s kids’ childhood really memorable.

There’s no actual translation of video games in Tagalog, so they just spell and pronounce them in Tagalog. They also use the word mga laro, which means “games,” but this is a general term since laro (games) can also include traditional Filipino games and other kinds of games.

Family game consoles and video games usually have more or less a hundred different games to choose from that can be played by the whole family. The iconic games that are usually included in these consoles are Pacman, Super Mario Bros., Contra, Tetris, and more.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a kalendaryo

13. Kalendaryo (Paper Calendar)

A calendar or kalendaryo in the Filipino language is really essential in a Filipino household. But I’m not talking about just an ordinary calendar. I’m talking about the ones with blueprints usually given by companies, bakeries, stores, and gasoline stations, to name a few.

There is another kind of calendar that is typically found in the house of a Filipino, especially those who drink alcoholic beverages. This is the calendar from liquor companies like Tanduay. These are the ones with pictures of sexy models. If you’re a native Filipino, I’m pretty sure that you know what I’m talking about.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a karaoke

14. Karaoke

Don’t get me started on how great Filipinos are when it comes to singing because we’re gonna need more time to discuss that. But, what I’m trying to say is that a Karaoke machine or smart Karaoke is part of every Filipino’s household, so it’s no wonder why they are really good at singing.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a kompyuter

15. Kompyuter (Computer)

Back then, computers are not part of an ordinary Filipino household. But because of the advancement of technology and continuous modernization, it is now one of the most essential household items.

Computers or kompyuter in Tagalog are really useful nowadays, especially when the pandemic blew up last 2021. Students and workers are forced to study and work from home. Aside from educational and work purposes, computers become a source of entertainment for online gamers.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a kulambo

16. Kulambo (Mosquito Net)

You’re not a true Filipino if you don’t know what a kulambo is. A kulambo or mosquito net prevents a mosquito from biting you while you are sleeping. Filipinos usually tie the four ends of the kulambo above their beds to act as a barrier. Some houses, especially in the rural areas, do not have electricity, so they use a kulambo to get a good sleep.

Aside from a kulambo, they also use a thing called katol or mosquito coil to get rid of mosquitoes at night. It can be bought in a local convenience store or sari-sari store for a very affordable price.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a palanggana

17. Palanggana (Washbowl)

Before, when there was still no washing machine, Filipinos used palanggana or whasbowl to wash their clothes. They usually soak their laundry in it and leave it for hours before washing it. The word palanggana came from the Spanish word palangana, which means bowl, dishpan, or sink.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a palaspas

18. Palaspas (Dried Palm Leaves From Palm Sunday)

The palaspas are also one of the household items that you’ll usually see in a typical Catholic Filipino house. Palaspas are dried palm leaves that are blessed by a priest during Palm Sunday. You’ll mostly see this hung on their door or on the altar for the entire year until the next Palm Sunday.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a palo-palo

19. Palo-Palo (Washing Paddle)

Before the washing machine existed, Filipinos had an interesting way of washing clothes, and it was by going to the river and using a palo-palo. A palo-palo is a washing paddle or a wooden laundry hammer that is used to wash clothes. Even in this modern era, many Filipinos still use this, especially those who are living in rural areas or the provinces.

The name palo-palo came from the word Tagalog word palo which means “to hit” or “to beat.” It suits its name because when you use this, you’ll beat the clothes to remove the dirt.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a plastik

20. Plastik Bag (Plastic Bags)

You’ll be surprised at how many plastic bags are there in a Filipino household. These plastic bags came from groceries, markets, and more. Plastic bags are extremely useful to Filipinos. There are always situations where they need them.

We all know that it’s not nature-friendly, so Filipinos are reusing it, which is already a big help to nature. Plus, some cities like Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro do not use plastics in their public markets and supermarkets nowadays. This is proof that Filipinos are very considerate of their surroundings and Mother Nature itself.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a plato and baso

21. Plato At Baso (Plate And Glass)

If you’re in a Filipino house right now, take a look at their dish racks and try to find a plate (plato) with flowers printed on them. Try also finding a glass (baso) that used to be a Nescafe jar. If you successfully find either of them, you’re in the perfect place.

Eating utensils, especially plates and glasses, are special in a Filipino household. In fact, there are utensils that you don’t know you have because you’ll only see them on special occasions or when there are visitors. What’s interesting is your mother or grandmother won’t let you use them on regular days.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a pridyeder

22. Pridyeder (Refrigerator)

Another important Filipino household item is the refrigerator or pridyeder in Tagalog. Not many families can afford to have refrigerators because, aside from their price, they can also make the electric bills high. But, if they had the money and the means to buy some, they’d surely do so because it’s essential in storing food, especially leftovers.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a suyod

23. Suyod (Harrow / Fine Comb)

This might not sound very pleasant, but let’s still include this in one of the lists of household items vocabulary in Tagalog because it’s important. Filipino children are fond of playing outside (at least for those who are not addicted to online games and gadgets). Because of this, they can easily get head lice, especially young girls. So, most Filipino households have suyod, which are fine combs to easily get rid of the lice.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a tabo and timba

24. Tabo At Timba (Dipper And Pail / Bucket)

When you’re in the Philippines, do not expect to see showers, toilet bidet showers, and bathtubs all the time because Filipinos use a tabo or dipper and timba pail/bucket when taking a bath and washing their “behinds and fronts.” You’ll seldom see an ordinary household with showers and bathtubs, so scooping the water from the pail would do the magic if you want to take a bath or do your “thing.”

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a telebisyon

25. Telebisyon (Television)

Watching television or telebisyon in Tagalog is one of the ways Filipino families bond. They usually gather around the television to watch their favorite dramas and telenobelas. Of course, the arguments between the family members on what channel to tune in to are also a problem they usually have to deal with, but in a fun way.

But, at the end of the day, there will always be that one TV show that everybody likes. To name some they have Maalaala Mo Kaya, Encantadia, Mulawin, Ang Probinsyano, Batang Quiapo, Eat Bulaga, and It’s Showtime.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of tsinelas

26. Tsinelas (Slippers)

In the Philippines, slippers or tsinelas in Tagalog are very important. They are not a sandal type, but they have different slippers used in different situations and places. They have tsinelas for going outside the house, another pair is used inside the house, and a different one for the bathroom.

If you’re a Filipino, the most common is the one made with rubber, a white footbed, and straps in different colors. There is also that one nostalgic slipper that I know 90s kids are familiar with, called “Rambo.”

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of a walis

27. Walis (Broom)

In a regular Filipino household, there are two types of brooms that you’ll see. The first one is the walis tambo or the whisk broom used inside the house. The second one is called walis tingting or broomstick, which is used outside.

household items vocabulary in Tagalog - A photo of other Filipino house items in the Philippines

Tagalog Vocabulary Words Related To Household Items

Did you enjoy learning all the household items vocabulary in Tagalog? There are other essential household vocabularies that are very common in Filipinos, like the following:

Household Items For The Bedroom

In the bedroom, Filipinos want to be cozy. Pillows and blankets make sure they are warm and comfy, helping them drift off to dreamland easily.

Household Items For The Kitchen And Dining Room

Moving on to the Filipino kitchen and dining room, this is where food magic happens. Cooking pots bubble with tasty meals, and everyone gathers around the table to share stories and snacks.

Household Items For The Bathroom

Then there’s the Filipino bathroom, a spot for splashing and scrubbing. It’s packed with things like soap and towels to keep them clean from head to toe.

Household Items For The Living Room

Over in the Filipino living room, relaxation is the name of the game. With squishy sofas to sink into and gadgets that entertain, it’s their go-to place for fun and lazy days.

Household Items For Electronics And Appliances

Talking about electronics and appliances, these clever devices make the life of Pinoys a breeze. Imagine zapping food warm in seconds or getting clothes clean without a fuss—that’s the power they bring.

Other Household Objects Common In The Philippines

Lastly, let’s peek at items often found in Filipino homes. From unique Tagalog decorations to everyday helpers, they add that special Filipino touch that makes each home feel welcoming and full of life.

Feel At Home In The Philippines

Filipino homes reveal more than physical structures – they showcase a proud culture. Traditional items like banig and abaniko tell stories of heritage and family bonds.

By learning Tagalog names for household objects, you gain insight into daily Filipino life and the blended influences shaping their lifestyle. Moreover, getting to know these items lets you explore the rich culture and hospitality of the Philippines.

For instance, the beauty of a handcrafted mat and the communal joy of karaoke each welcome you into their family warmth. In short, learning household items vocabulary in Tagalog opens the door to truly feeling at home in the Philippines. So, keep learning and love the language.

Updated By: Jefbeck

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