Say 'Sobrang Lit' with These 14 Filipino Gen Z Slang Words You Need Now

From 'Werpa' to 'Rekta': 14 Filipino Gen Z Slang Words to Slay Any Convo

Think you’ve mastered Filipino (Tagalog) just because you can say “kamusta” and “salamat”? Well, hold on, because Filipino Gen Z has their own way of speaking, and it’s packed with creativity, humor, and internet culture. Whether you’re hanging out in Manila or scrolling through Filipino TikTok, understanding Gen Z slang is essential to keeping up with the youth of the Philippines.

Ready to talk like a true Filipino Gen Z? Here’s your ultimate guide to 14 must-know Filipino slang phrases that’ll level up your vocab. From funny phrases to trendy one-liners, these words will help you fit in with the cool crowd. Let’s dive into the latest Filipino lingo that’s all the rage among Gen Z!

1. "Lodi"

Lodi is the reverse of “idol” and is used to refer to someone you admire or look up to. If you think someone is awesome, especially for their skills or talent, they’re your lodi. It’s often used to compliment someone who’s killing it at something.

Pronunciation: “Lo-dee”
How to use it: "You’re my lodi at singing!"
In short: Use lodi to call someone your idol or when you admire their skills.

2. "Petmalu"

This is another form of reversed slang (baliktad)—it’s short for "malupet," meaning awesome or impressive. Filipino Gen Z uses petmalu to describe something that’s beyond cool. Whether it’s a performance, a person, or a new outfit, petmalu is the word to express awe.

Pronunciation: “Pet-ma-loo”
How to use it: "That performance was so petmalu!"
In short: When something is seriously impressive, call it petmalu.

3. "Werpa"

Werpa is a playful way to say “power” and is often used to cheer someone on or express support. It’s Gen Z’s way of giving someone a boost or showing them you’ve got their back. It’s all about positive energy!

Pronunciation: “Wehr-pah”
How to use it: "Good luck on your test! Werpa!"
In short: Use werpa to cheer someone on or send them positive vibes.

4. "Char" or "Charot"

This is a fun and sassy way to say “just kidding” or “joke!” Filipino Gen Z loves using char or charot when they’re teasing someone or being playful. It’s perfect for adding humor to conversations without being too serious.

Pronunciation: “Char” (like it sounds) or “Cha-rot”
How to use it: "You’re so cute… char!"
In short: Use char or charot to playfully say “just kidding.”

5. "Sana all"

This phrase translates to “I wish all” and is used when you’re feeling a little bit of envy in a lighthearted way. If your friend’s in a relationship or just got a promotion, you might say sana all to show you wish you had the same luck.

Pronunciation: “Sah-nah all”
How to use it: "Your vacation photos are amazing, sana all!"
In short: Use sana all to express a playful, friendly envy of someone’s good fortune.

6. "Keri"

Keri is the Filipino Gen Z slang for “I can handle it” or “it’s all good.” Whether you’re reassuring someone or saying that you’re okay with a situation, keri is the go-to word for showing confidence and ease.

Pronunciation: “Keh-ree”
How to use it: "Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. Keri!"
In short: Use keri to show that you’re handling things like a boss.

7. "Hayup!"

While it literally means “animal,” Filipino Gen Z uses hayup as an exclamation, similar to “wow” or “dang!” It’s a way of expressing shock, excitement, or disbelief. Whether something is really cool or surprising, hayup is the word to use.

Pronunciation: “Ha-yoop”
How to use it: "That new car is hayup!"
In short: Use hayup to express surprise or amazement, like saying “wow!”

8. "Skrrt"

Borrowed from hip-hop culture, skrrt is used to describe someone dodging a situation or making a slick exit. Filipino Gen Z uses it when someone’s avoiding something or escaping a tricky situation with style.

Pronunciation: “Skrrt” (like it sounds)
How to use it: "I didn’t want to get into an argument, so I just skrrt out of there."
In short: Use skrrt when you’re talking about dodging or escaping something.

9. "Praning"

Praning means paranoid or anxious. Filipino Gen Z uses it to describe someone who’s overthinking or freaking out over small things. It’s a casual way of calling out someone who’s unnecessarily stressed.

Pronunciation: “Prah-ning”
How to use it: "Why are you so praning about your exam? You got this!"
In short: Use praning to talk about someone being paranoid or overly anxious.

10. "Pak Ganern"

This slang phrase doesn’t have a direct translation but is used to show approval or excitement, kind of like saying “That’s it!” or “You nailed it!” It’s often used to hype up a situation or compliment someone’s style, success, or attitude.

Pronunciation: “Pak ga-nurn”
How to use it: "You finished the project on time? Pak ganern!"
In short: Use pak ganern to hype someone up when they’ve done something awesome.

11. "Walang Ebas"

This means “no BS” or “no lies.” Filipino Gen Z uses this to call for honesty and directness, especially when they want to cut through the nonsense and get straight to the point.

Pronunciation: “Wa-lang eh-bas”
How to use it: "Tell me the truth, walang ebas!"
In short: Use walang ebas when you want someone to be real and honest.

12. "Tara"

This is a simple but super popular slang word meaning “let’s go!” You’ll hear it all the time when friends are getting ready to head out or make plans. It’s an easy way to rally your crew and get everyone hyped for whatever’s next.

Pronunciation: “Ta-rah”
How to use it: "Let’s go to the mall! Tara!"
In short: Use tara to say “let’s go” and get everyone moving.

13. "Sobrang Lit"

This is a mash-up of English and Filipino slang—sobrang means “super” and lit means awesome or cool. Gen Z uses this combo to describe something that’s incredibly fun or exciting. Whether it’s a party, an event, or a performance, if it’s sobrang lit, it’s worth talking about.

Pronunciation: “Soh-brang lit”
How to use it: "That concert was sobrang lit!"
In short: Use sobrang lit to describe anything that’s super cool or amazing.

14. "Rekta"

Rekta means “straight to the point” or “direct.” Filipino Gen Z uses it to talk about being straightforward, whether it’s in a conversation or in life. If someone’s cutting through the fluff and getting straight to the issue, they’re being rekta.

Pronunciation: “Rek-tah”
How to use it: "Just tell me the truth, no sugarcoating—rekta."
In short: Use rekta when you want to keep things direct and to the point.

Now that you’ve got these 14 Filipino Gen Z slang words in your arsenal, you’re ready to vibe like a true Pinoy! Whether you’re hyping up your friends with werpa, calling someone lodi, or saying tara when you’re ready to go, these phrases will have you sounding like a local in no time. Start using them in your daily convos or on social media, and you’ll fit right in with Filipino Gen Z.

Stay connected with Woke Waves Magazine for more cultural insights and global Gen Z slang!

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