Meaning
Used for something that will never happen.
Cultural Background
The idiom is often used in 'Hugot' culture, where people express deep, often melodramatic emotions about love and disappointment through witty wordplay. The 1978 film 'Pagputi ng Uwak... Pag-itim ng Tagak' is a masterpiece of the 'Second Golden Age' of Philippine cinema, exploring social injustice through this idiom. Crows are often seen as clever but mischievous birds in local tales, making them the perfect subject for a phrase about trickery or false promises. Netizens use the hashtag #PagputiNgUwak to mock delayed government projects or slow internet service providers.
Tone Matters
Say it with a smile if you're teasing, or a deadpan face if you're being truly sarcastic.
Not for the Boss
Never use this with a superior unless you have a very close, joking relationship.
Meaning
Used for something that will never happen.
Tone Matters
Say it with a smile if you're teasing, or a deadpan face if you're being truly sarcastic.
Not for the Boss
Never use this with a superior unless you have a very close, joking relationship.
The Full Version
Using 'Pagputi ng uwak, pag-itim ng tagak' makes you sound very fluent and traditional.
Test Yourself
Complete the idiom to say 'I will believe you when the crow turns white.'
Maniniwala ako sa iyo ______ ng uwak.
'Pagputi' (whitening) is the correct root for this idiom.
Which animal is used in the Filipino idiom for 'When pigs fly'?
Pagputi ng ____.
The 'uwak' (crow) is the standard animal used in this phrase.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend says they will stop eating junk food forever, but they love chips.
This is a sarcastic response to an unlikely promise.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural idiomatic expression.
A: Kailan mo ako babayaran? B: Bukas na bukas din! A: Sus! Alam ko na 'yan. ________.
The speaker is skeptical of the promise to pay 'tomorrow.'
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesManiniwala ako sa iyo ______ ng uwak.
'Pagputi' (whitening) is the correct root for this idiom.
Pagputi ng ____.
The 'uwak' (crow) is the standard animal used in this phrase.
Situation: Your friend says they will stop eating junk food forever, but they love chips.
This is a sarcastic response to an unlikely promise.
A: Kailan mo ako babayaran? B: Bukas na bukas din! A: Sus! Alam ko na 'yan. ________.
The speaker is skeptical of the promise to pay 'tomorrow.'
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be. It's sarcastic. Use it with friends, but avoid it in formal or polite company.
No, the idiom is fixed. Changing the animal makes it lose its idiomatic meaning.
The closest equivalent is 'When pigs fly.'
Yes, it's very common on TikTok and Twitter/X in the Philippines.
Yes, 'uwak' is the specific bird tied to this cultural metaphor.
You can use it as a time marker: [Action] + [pagputi ng uwak]. Example: 'Kakain ako ng gulay pagputi ng uwak.'
Yes, you can use 'Hindi kailanman' or 'Kailanma'y hindi.'
Because crows are famously black, making a white one the ultimate symbol of impossibility.
Usually no. It's almost always used for things you *don't* expect to happen or don't want to do.
'Tagak' is an egret, a white bird. The full idiom is a double impossibility.
Related Phrases
Pag-itim ng tagak
similarWhen the egret turns black
Asa ka pa
synonymKeep on hoping (sarcastic)
Suntok sa buwan
similarA punch at the moon
Nganga
builds onLeft with nothing
