Guide · Tagalog words
What does barkada mean?
Barkada is the Filipino word for your close group of friends: the people you grew up with, went to school with, or simply always end up with. In English, think “squad”, “crew” or “friend group”, with a little more loyalty built in.
Kumustahan is a bilingual conversation card app: 1,200 questions in English and Filipino across 7 decks, with a short reflection on the back of every card.
How can a friend tell when a joke has stopped being fun for you?
Paano malalaman ng friend na hindi na masaya para sa'yo ang biro?
You can say the signal without explaining the whole joke.
Puwedeng senyales lang ang sabihin, hindi ang buong biro.
In short
The idea
A barkada is more than people you know. It is the group you text first, the ones who show up when your lola passes away, who know your family nickname and your worst haircut. Filipinos often have several: the high school barkada, the college barkada, the office barkada, the church barkada.
The word can mean the whole group or one member: “Barkada ko siya” means “he’s one of my friends (from my group).” A member is also called kabarkada.
Tips
- Use it for your own group of friends, not acquaintances.
- “Barkada” works in English sentences too: “my barkada is coming over.”
- A barkada can include family: cousins close in age often form one.
Decks for this
Where the word comes from
Barkada is usually traced to the Spanish barcada, a boatload: the people who traveled together in one boat. The image fits. A barkada is the group you are in the same boat with.
How to use it
- “Lalabas kami ng barkada mamaya.” I’m going out with my friends later.
- “Barkada ko ’yan since high school.” That’s my friend from high school.
- “Kabarkada mo ba siya?” Is she one of your group?
- “Barkada night”: a night out or in with the whole group.
A deck for the barkada
Kumustahan has a whole Barkada deck of questions for friends, in English and Filipino, from inside jokes to the talks only old friends can have. For a group abroad, see questions for your Pinoy barkada abroad.
The questions
Questions for your barkada
Cards from Kumustahan’s Barkada deck and others: about the group’s roles, rituals and inside jokes. English and Filipino on every card.
What makes this barkada yours
5 questions
The lines, jokes and songs only your group gets.
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What line do your friends often hear you say?
Anong linya ang madalas marinig ng friends mo sa'yo?
Back of the card
Imagine your usual line printed on a shirt.
Isipin na naka-print sa shirt ang madalas mong sabihin.
-
Share the origin of an inside joke that is okay to explain.
Ikuwento ang simula ng inside joke na okay lang ipaliwanag.
Back of the card
Tell only the part you have permission to share. The rest can stay an inside joke.
Sabihin lang ang bahaging okay ibahagi. Puwedeng sa inyo na lang ang natitirang biro.
-
Which song takes you back to a particular time with friends?
Anong kanta ang nagpapaalala sa'yo ng isang panahon ninyo ng friends mo?
Back of the card
Picture where everyone was when the song came on.
Isipin kung nasaan ang lahat noong tumugtog ang kanta.
-
What preference of yours do close friends remember without asking?
Anong gusto mo ang kabisado na ng close friends mo?
Back of the card
Imagine they had to choose it for you today. Would they still get it right?
Kung pipili sila para sa'yo ngayon, tama pa kaya ang pipiliin nila?
-
In a group hangout, which role do you usually fall into: planner, joker, listener, snack person, or something else?
Sa group hangout, anong role ang usually napupunta sa'yo: planner, joker, listener, snack person, o iba pa?
Back of the card
Group roles can be funny because they appear before anyone assigns them. Somehow every hangout finds its planner, joker, listener, or snack person.
Minsan lumalabas yung role bago pa may mag-assign. Sa bawat hangout, may planner, joker, listener, o snack person talaga.
Barkada habits
5 questions
Hangouts, errands and cheap birthday celebrations.
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Which simple hangout with a friend would you happily repeat?
Anong simpleng bonding kasama ang friend ang gusto mong ulitin?
Back of the card
Same place, same activity, different weather. Would you still choose it?
Parehong lugar at gagawin, pero iba ang panahon. Pipiliin mo pa rin ba ito?
-
Choose a simple way friends could celebrate your birthday without spending much.
Pumili ng simpleng paraan para i-celebrate ng friends ang birthday mo nang hindi gumagastos nang malaki.
Back of the card
One detail can be just for you: the music, the timing, or something else you love.
Puwedeng may isang detalye para talaga sa'yo: music, oras, o iba pang gusto mo.
-
Which ordinary errand would you rather do with a friend?
Anong simpleng lakad ang mas gusto mong gawin kasama ang friend?
Back of the card
The errand is done. Would you head home or extend the time together?
Tapos na ang lakad. Uuwi na ba kayo o magtatagal pa nang magkasama?
-
What would you like to watch with a friend?
Ano ang gusto mong panoorin kasama ang friend?
Back of the card
Talking through the whole thing or saving comments until the end?
Kuwentuhan habang nanonood o comments pagkatapos na lang?
-
Name a new interest a friend might be surprised you enjoy.
Magbanggit ng bagong hilig mo na baka ikagulat ng friend.
Back of the card
You could open with: “I never thought I'd enjoy this, but...”
Puwedeng magsimula sa “Hindi ko akalaing magugustuhan ko ito, pero...”
Keeping the barkada good
5 questions
For the friendships that have lasted years.
-
What playful side of you comes out around close friends?
Anong makulit na side mo ang lumalabas kapag kasama ang close friends?
Back of the card
You do not have to perform it here. A description is enough.
Hindi kailangang gawin iyon dito. Sapat nang ikuwento.
-
How can friends tell when you are excited about something?
Paano nahahalata ng friends na excited ka sa isang bagay?
Back of the card
Think of the sign you notice in yourself before anyone else does.
Isipin ang senyales na napapansin mo sa sarili mo bago pa mapansin ng iba.
-
How can a friend tell when a joke has stopped being fun for you?
Paano malalaman ng friend na hindi na masaya para sa'yo ang biro?
Back of the card
You can say the signal without explaining the whole joke.
Puwedeng senyales lang ang sabihin, hindi ang buong biro.
-
What should friends ask your permission to do?
Ano ang dapat munang ipagpaalam sa'yo ng friends?
Back of the card
Your permission can depend on the situation; closeness does not make every answer a yes.
Puwedeng depende sa sitwasyon ang pahintulot mo; kahit close kayo, hindi laging oo ang sagot.
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Who is a friend you can sit quietly with without it feeling awkward?
Sino yung friend na kaya mong samahan nang tahimik without it feeling awkward?
Back of the card
Comfortable quiet is its own kind of closeness. It means the friendship does not always need talking, joking, or trying hard.
May closeness din sa tahimik na hindi awkward. Ibig sabihin, hindi laging kailangang magsalita, magpatawa, o mag-effort nang todo.
What “barkada” means
Frequently asked questions
What does barkada mean in English?
Barkada means a close group of friends, like a squad, crew or friend group. It can also mean one member of that group.
Where does the word barkada come from?
It is usually traced to the Spanish “barcada”, meaning a boatload: people traveling together in one boat.
What is the difference between barkada and tropa?
Both mean a group of friends. Tropa is a bit more casual and slangy; barkada is the everyday word and often implies a long, close friendship.
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