Filipino Cooking Terms
Learn essential Filipino cooking verbs in Tagalog with English translations and practical example sentences. This guide covers common words for cooking techniques, food preparation, and traditional methods used in Filipino cuisine, including verbs like magprito (to fry), magpakulo (to boil), maghalo (to mix), and mag-marinate (to marinate). You’ll also find examples showing how to use these verbs naturally in sentences while following recipes, preparing local dishes, or giving instructions in the kitchen.
Watch this Tagalog lesson to learn common Filipino cooking terms with clear English translations and proper pronunciation. In this video, you’ll discover essential Filipino words used in cooking, such as magluto (to cook), magprito (to fry), maghurno (to bake), and magpakulo (to boil), explained in a beginner-friendly way. It’s perfect for learners who want to expand their Filipino vocabulary for cooking, recipes, and daily kitchen conversations.
List of Tagalog Cooking Terms
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
| hugasan | to wash |
| balatan | to peel |
| hiwain | to cut / to slice |
| tadtarin | to chop |
| gadgarin | to grate |
| kudkurin | to grate |
| durugin | to crush |
| dikdikin | to pound |
| hiwain nang pahilis | to julienne |
| hiwain nang pino | to mince |
| hiwain nang pakuwadrado | to dice |
| ibabad | to soak / marinate |
| ihalo | to mix in |
| himayin | to shred / to flake |
| masahin | to knead |
| magsaing | to cook rice |
| banlian | to blanch |
| iprito | to fry |
| ilaga | to boil (until tender) |
| pakuluan | to boil |
| igisa | to sauté / stir-fry |
| ihawin | to grill / to roast |
| i-bake | to bake |
| i-steam | to steam |
| isangag | to stir-fry rice |
| initin | to heat up |
| palamigin | to let cool |
| haluin | to mix / stir |
| tunawin | to dissolve |
| salain | to strain / filter |
| budburan | to sprinkle |
| timplahan | to season |
| asinan | to add salt |
| batihin | to beat / whisk |
| pahiran | to spread / baste |
| balutin | to wrap |
| patuyuin | to dry |
| palambutin | to tenderize |
| buruhin | to ferment |
| pigaan | to squeeze (out juice) |
| paalsahin | to let rise (dough) |
See if these Filipino cooking terms still ring a bell — try the quiz below.
| Pakuluan mo muna ang baboy bago igisa. |
| (Boil the pork first before sautéing.) |
| Ibabad mo muna ang isda sa suka. |
| (Marinate the fish in vinegar first.) |
| Tadtarin mo nang pino ang sibuyas. |
| (Finely chop the onion.) |
| Ilaga mo ‘yung mais pang-meryenda. |
| (Boil some corn for a snack.) |
| Ihawin mo nang mabuti ang hotdog para sa party. |
| (Grill the hotdogs well for the party.) |
| Budburan mo ng kaunting pamita ang tinola. |
| (Add a little pepper to the tinola.) |
| Durugin mo ang kamatis para lumabas ang katas. |
| (Crush the tomatoes to get the juice out.) |
How familiar are you with Filipino cooking terms? Take this quiz and test your knowledge of common Tagalog words used in the kitchen! From cooking methods to food preparation, try to say the correct Tagalog term before clicking the toggle to reveal the answer. It’s a fun way to improve your Tagalog cooking vocabulary!
1. You need to cut vegetables into thin pieces for a salad. What action are you doing?
Answer: hiwain (cut / slice)
2. Remove the skin from a mango before eating it. What are you doing?
Answer: balatan (peel)
3. Before grilling, you soak the pork in soy sauce and calamansi juice for a few hours. What is this process called?
Answer: ibabad (marinate)
4. You need to cook rice by bringing water to a high temperature until it bubbles. What is this cooking method called?
Answer: pakuluin (boil)
5. You are preparing barbecue by cooking meat over hot charcoal. What is this process called?
Answer: ihawin (grill)
Watch more Tagalog Learning Videos
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