Signification
Pretending not to hear what is said.
Contexte culturel
In many Filipino homes, 'tengang-kawali' is part of the 'cat and mouse' game between parents and children. It's often met with a 'tsinelas' (slipper) or a louder shout. Filipinos value 'Pakikisama' (getting along). Sometimes, people use 'tengang-kawali' to avoid saying 'no' directly to a colleague, which might cause friction. In jeepneys, passengers are expected to help pass the fare to the driver. Those who 'nagtetengang-kawali' are often looked at with annoyance by other passengers. The modern version of 'tengang-kawali' is 'Seen-zoned' or 'Ghosting,' but 'tengang-kawali' specifically refers to the physical act of ignoring a voice.
Use it for humor
This phrase is often used to tease friends. If someone misses a joke, you can jokingly ask if they are nagtetengang-kawali.
Watch the prefix
Always use 'nag-' or 'mag-' to make it a verb. Just saying 'tengang-kawali' is like saying 'frying pan ear' without context.
Signification
Pretending not to hear what is said.
Use it for humor
This phrase is often used to tease friends. If someone misses a joke, you can jokingly ask if they are nagtetengang-kawali.
Watch the prefix
Always use 'nag-' or 'mag-' to make it a verb. Just saying 'tengang-kawali' is like saying 'frying pan ear' without context.
The 'Dedma' connection
If you want to sound more like a Gen Z Filipino, use 'Dedma.' If you want to sound more traditional or 'Pinoy,' use 'Tengang-kawali.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tengang-kawali'.
Si Pedro ay _________ kaya hindi niya narinig ang tawag ni Nanay.
The past tense 'nagtengang-kawali' fits the sentence structure describing why he didn't hear the call.
Which situation best describes 'tengang-kawali'?
Which of these people is 'nagtetengang-kawali'?
Tengang-kawali requires the person to be able to hear but choosing to ignore.
Complete the dialogue.
Nanay: 'Bakit hindi ka sumasagot? Tinatawag kita!' Anak: '...'
This is a cheeky but common way to admit to ignoring someone.
Match the phrase to the intent.
Match 'Nagtetengang-kawali' with its primary intent.
The idiom is almost always used in the context of avoiding something unwanted.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSi Pedro ay _________ kaya hindi niya narinig ang tawag ni Nanay.
The past tense 'nagtengang-kawali' fits the sentence structure describing why he didn't hear the call.
Which of these people is 'nagtetengang-kawali'?
Tengang-kawali requires the person to be able to hear but choosing to ignore.
Nanay: 'Bakit hindi ka sumasagot? Tinatawag kita!' Anak: '...'
This is a cheeky but common way to admit to ignoring someone.
Match 'Nagtetengang-kawali' with its primary intent.
The idiom is almost always used in the context of avoiding something unwanted.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not a swear word. It's a common idiom. However, it can be seen as rude if used toward an elder or a boss.
Yes! It's very common to say a pet is 'nagtetengang-kawali' when they ignore your calls.
'Bingi' is the medical state of being deaf. 'Tengang-kawali' is the act of pretending to be deaf.
Use 'magtetengang-kawali.' For example: 'Magtetengang-kawali na naman 'yan mamaya.'
Rarely. It's mostly for spoken Filipino or informal stories.
Because the handles of a pan are called 'ears' (tenga) but they are made of metal and can't hear.
No, the idiom is fixed to 'kawali.' Using other kitchenware won't make sense to native speakers.
You can use it playfully with friends. 'Uy, nagtetengang-kawali ka yata?'
Usually, it's for verbal communication. For texts, 'dedma' or 'seen' is more common.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'matalas ang pandinig' (sharp hearing) is the literal opposite.
Expressions liées
Nagbibingi-bingihan
synonymPretending to be deaf.
Dedma
similarTo ignore someone completely.
Walang pakinig
similarHaving no hearing / Not listening.
Nakasarado ang tenga
similarEars are closed.
