Guide · Tagalog words

What does kilig mean?

Kilig is the giddy, fluttery rush you feel from something romantic: a text from your crush, your partner remembering a small thing, or two characters finally holding hands on screen. English needs a phrase (“butterflies”, “giddy”, “swooning”); Filipino has one word.

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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.

Couples№ 19

What is one memory with me that still gives you a good feeling?

Ano yung memory natin na hanggang ngayon good feeling pa rin para sa'yo?

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A note

Good memories are not only for nostalgia. They remind you what kind of connection is worth repeating.

Hindi lang pang-nostalgia ang good memories. Pinapaalala nila kung anong klaseng connection ang worth ulitin.

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In short

The idea

Kilig is physical: a little shiver, a smile you can’t stop, the urge to scream into a pillow. Filipinos feel it for their own love lives and, enthusiastically, for other people’s. Fans of a TV love team (an on-screen couple paired across many shows) are kilig experts.

The word is so useful it crossed into English: the Oxford English Dictionary added kilig in 2016 as a word of Philippine English (Rappler, 2016). Filipinos abroad use it in English sentences without blinking: “I’m so kilig right now.”

Tips

  1. Use “kilig” as an adjective in English: “that was so kilig.”
  2. Kilig is happy, never creepy. It’s about sweetness, not pressure.
  3. Ask your partner what small thing still gives them kilig. Then do it.

Decks for this

Kilig, kinikilig, nakakakilig

Like most Tagalog roots, kilig changes form depending on who feels it and what causes it:

  • kilig: the feeling itself. “Grabe, ang kilig!” Oh my gosh, the butterflies!
  • kinikilig: feeling kilig right now. “Kinikilig ako.” I’m giddy.
  • nakakakilig: kilig-inducing. “Nakakakilig ’yung message niya.” His message gave me butterflies.
  • kiligin: to give someone kilig. “Gusto ko siyang kiligin.” I want to make her swoon.
  • kilig to the bones: Taglish for “deeply, ridiculously giddy”.

Not just for new couples

Long-married Filipinos talk about kilig too, usually about small things: being remembered, being chosen on an ordinary day, a greeting that still lands. The questions on this page are mostly about those. For playful ones for a crush, see kilig na tanong in Tagalog.

The questions

Questions with a little kilig

Couples questions that tend to make someone smile before they answer. English and Filipino on every card.

Early kilig

4 questions

The first moments, the first comfort, the first sense this could be real.

  1. What was one early moment that made you feel comfortable with me?

    Ano yung nangyare lately na naging comfortable ka sa akin?

    Back of the card

    Early comfort often says a lot about what still matters now: safety, humor, patience, or being easy to talk to.

    Maraming sinasabi ang early comfort tungkol sa mahalaga pa rin ngayon: safety, humor, patience, o gaan kausap.

  2. When we were still getting to know each other, what moment first made you feel like we could become something real?

    Noong kinikilala pa natin ang isa't isa, anong moment yung unang nagparamdam sa'yo na puwede tayong maging something real?

    Back of the card

    This is not about pressure or measuring the relationship. It is simply remembering when being together first started to feel possible.

    Hindi ito tungkol sa pressure o pag-sukat ng relationship. Pag-alala lang ito sa moment na unang naramdaman mong possible pala tayo.

  3. What kind of greeting from me makes you feel most welcomed?

    Anong klaseng bati mula sa akin ang pinaka-nagpaparamdam sa'yo na welcome ka?

    Back of the card

    The way you greet each other matters. Even a small hello can make coming back to each other feel warmer.

    Mahalaga kung paano ninyo binabati ang isa't isa. Kahit simpleng hello, puwedeng gawing mas warm ang pagbalik ninyo sa isa't isa.

  4. What is one memory with me that still gives you a good feeling?

    Ano yung memory natin na hanggang ngayon good feeling pa rin para sa'yo?

    Back of the card

    Good memories are not only for nostalgia. They remind you what kind of connection is worth repeating.

    Hindi lang pang-nostalgia ang good memories. Pinapaalala nila kung anong klaseng connection ang worth ulitin.

Everyday kilig

6 questions

Small things that still give one of you butterflies.

  1. What is one moment this week when you felt close to me?

    Ano yung moment this week na naramdaman mong malapit tayo?

    Back of the card

    Closeness often hides inside normal moments: a look, a joke, a ride, a shared meal, or a quiet check-in.

    Madalas nasa normal moments ang closeness: tingin, joke, byahe, sabay kumain, o simpleng check-in.

  2. When we spend a day together, what moment feels most special between us?

    Kapag magkasama tayo sa isang araw, anong moment ang pinaka-special para sa atin?

    Back of the card

    Couples often build closeness through repeated little moments. Naming them helps you notice and protect what feels good between you.

    Madalas nabubuo ang closeness sa paulit-ulit na maliliit na moments. Kapag napangalanan ninyo, mas napapansin at naaalagaan yung maganda sa pagitan ninyo.

  3. What ordinary routine of ours would you miss if it disappeared?

    Anong ordinary routine natin ang mami-miss mo kung ito ay mawawala?

    Back of the card

    Routines can feel small until they are gone. They quietly hold the shape of your life together.

    Mukhang maliit ang routines hanggang mawala sila. Tahimik nilang binubuo yung feeling ng buhay ninyong magkasama.

  4. When you share good news with me, what first response helps you feel celebrated?

    Kapag nag-share ka sa akin ng good news, anong unang response ang nagpaparamdam sa'yo na sine-celebrate kita?

    Back of the card

    Celebrating well is a kind of care. It shows your partner that their joy has space with you.

    Care din ang marunong mag-celebrate. Pinaparamdam nito sa partner mo na may space sa'yo ang joy niya.

  5. What small thing I do on a normal day makes you feel chosen?

    Anong maliit na ginagawa ko sa ordinary day ang nagpaparamdam sa'yo na pinipili kita?

    Back of the card

    Feeling chosen does not always come from big promises. Often, it comes from steady attention in ordinary moments.

    Hindi laging big promises ang nagpaparamdam na pinipili ka. Madalas, galing ito sa steady na attention sa ordinary moments.

  6. What kind of message from me makes you feel close to me when we are apart?

    Anong klaseng message mula sa akin ang nagpaparamdam sa'yo na close pa rin tayo kahit magkalayo?

    Back of the card

    Distance does not always need constant contact. Sometimes one thoughtful message can help you feel connected again.

    Hindi laging constant contact ang kailangan kapag magkalayo. Minsan isang thoughtful na message lang, nakakatulong nang maramdaman ulit ang connection.

Quiet kilig

5 questions

The steadier kind, after a long day.

  1. After a hard day, what simple comfort from me helps you feel okay again?

    After a hard day, anong simpleng comfort mula sa akin ang nakakatulong sa'yo maging okay ulit?

    Back of the card

    Comfort does not have to fix everything. Sometimes it just needs to remind your partner they are not carrying the day alone.

    Hindi kailangang ayusin ng comfort ang lahat. Minsan sapat na ma-remind ang partner mo na hindi niya dala ang araw mag-isa.

  2. After a long day, what small thing helps us reconnect?

    After a long day, anong maliit na bagay ang tumutulong sa atin mag-reconnect?

    Back of the card

    Reconnection does not have to be dramatic. Sometimes it is a snack, a walk, a hug, or ten quiet minutes together.

    Hindi kailangang dramatic ang reconnection. Minsan snack, lakad, yakap, o sampung tahimik na minuto lang together.

  3. When we are both tired, what small help from me would mean a lot?

    Kapag pareho tayong pagod, anong maliit na tulong mula sa akin ang malaking bagay sa'yo?

    Back of the card

    Tired love does not need grand effort. Small, realistic support can help you stay close without asking too much from either of you.

    Hindi kailangan ng grand effort kapag pareho kayong pagod. Minsan maliit at realistic na support ang tumutulong para manatiling close kayo.

  4. Which compliment from a friend made you smile recently?

    Anong compliment mula sa friend ang nagpangiti sa'yo lately?

    Back of the card

    Did you believe it right away, or did it sink in later?

    Naniwala ka ba agad, o saka mo lang ito naramdaman?

  5. What is a recent act of kindness that caught you by surprise?

    Anong magandang ginawa sa'yo lately ang hindi mo inaasahan?

    Back of the card

    Keep names private if you like. Picture the instant you realized what they had done for you.

    Puwedeng itago ang mga pangalan. Balikan ang sandaling naisip mo kung ano ang ginawa nila para sa'yo.

What “kilig” means

Frequently asked questions

What does kilig mean in English?

Kilig is the giddy, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling from something romantic or sweet. There is no single English word; “swooning” or “butterflies” come close.

What does kinikilig mean?

Kinikilig means “feeling kilig right now”, being giddy from something romantic. “Kinikilig ako” means “I’m so giddy.”

Is kilig in the English dictionary?

Yes. The Oxford English Dictionary added kilig in 2016 as part of a batch of words from Philippine English.

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