Signification
Moving or working very slowly.
Contexte culturel
In Metro Manila, 'lakad-pagong' is almost synonymous with the EDSA traffic experience. It's a shared cultural trauma turned into a joke. In farming communities, the turtle is respected for its persistence. While 'lakad-pagong' is slow, it also implies that the destination will eventually be reached. Filipino netizens often use the turtle emoji (🐢) alongside 'lakad-pagong' to complain about internet service providers on Twitter or Facebook. The story of the Monkey and the Tortoise is taught to every Filipino child, cementing the 'pagong' as a slow but clever character in the national consciousness.
Use for Traffic
If you want to sound like a local in Manila, use this phrase whenever you are stuck in a car.
Don't be Mean
Be careful using this to describe people you don't know well, as it can sound like you're calling them lazy.
Signification
Moving or working very slowly.
Use for Traffic
If you want to sound like a local in Manila, use this phrase whenever you are stuck in a car.
Don't be Mean
Be careful using this to describe people you don't know well, as it can sound like you're calling them lazy.
Combine with 'Grabe'
Add 'Grabe' (Intense/Wow) at the beginning for emphasis: 'Grabe, lakad-pagong!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
Sobrang bagal ng computer ko, ________ ang takbo.
We use 'lakad-pagong' to describe something moving very slowly, like a slow computer.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'lakad-pagong'?
Piliin ang tamang sitwasyon:
Long lines in government offices are often described as 'lakad-pagong' because they move very slowly.
Match the Filipino phrase with its English equivalent.
I-match ang mga sumusunod:
Both 'Lakad-pagong' and 'Usad-pagong' mean snail's pace.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bakit ngayon ka lang? B: Pasensya na, ________ ang bus na nasakyan ko.
The person is late because the bus was moving very slowly.
Match the animal to the speed idiom.
Aling hayop ang ginagamit para sa mabagal na kilos?
The turtle (pagong) is the standard for slowness in Filipino idioms.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Speed Levels in Filipino
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesSobrang bagal ng computer ko, ________ ang takbo.
We use 'lakad-pagong' to describe something moving very slowly, like a slow computer.
Piliin ang tamang sitwasyon:
Long lines in government offices are often described as 'lakad-pagong' because they move very slowly.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Both 'Lakad-pagong' and 'Usad-pagong' mean snail's pace.
A: Bakit ngayon ka lang? B: Pasensya na, ________ ang bus na nasakyan ko.
The person is late because the bus was moving very slowly.
Aling hayop ang ginagamit para sa mabagal na kilos?
The turtle (pagong) is the standard for slowness in Filipino idioms.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt can be, but it's usually just a descriptive complaint. It depends on your tone.
Yes, if they are walking slowly or working slowly.
No, it's informal/casual. Use 'mabagal' in formal documents.
There isn't a direct animal opposite like 'lakad-kuneho,' but you can say 'mabilis' or 'hagibis.'
Turtles are more prominent in Filipino folklore and rural life than snails.
Yes, always hyphenate compound idioms in Filipino.
Yes, you can say 'lakad-pagong ang kuwento' (the story is slow).
Yes, it is a timeless idiom used by all generations.
Almost. 'Usad' implies a creeping or sliding motion, often used for cars.
Only if you are describing a problem you solved, not to describe yourself!
Expressions liées
Usad-pagong
synonymMoving like a turtle (creeping).
Kupad-pagong
synonymSluggish like a turtle.
Mabagal pa sa pagong
builds onSlower than a turtle.
Mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatro
contrastFaster than 4 o'clock.
Gapang ang net
similarThe internet is crawling.
