Revisiting Filipino Riddles (Bugtong)

Part of the riches of any language are the riddles that allow the language’s speakers to play with words and weave hidden meanings into simple statements. These riddles, or bugtong in Tagalog, are part of the heritage of every Filipino child. We are taught from grade school to appreciate these gems. It’s a creative exercise, as well as an affirmation of our own history and culture. Plus, they’re a lot of fun to guess!

So, since we have moved to a new site, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit these riddles like old friends. Make your best guesses first, then scroll down for the answers below.

1. Kung bayaa’s nabubuhay, kung himasi’y namamatay. (If you leave it alone it will live; if you caress it, it will die).

2. Hayan na! Hayan na! Di mo pa makita. (It’s here! It’s here! But you still can’t see it.)

3. Lumuluha walang mata, lumalakad walang paa. (It cries without eyes, it walks without feet)

4. Isang pamalo-palo, libot na libot ng ginto. (A club that is surrounded by gold.)

5. Ang ina ay gumagapang pa, ang anak ay umuupo na. (The mother still crawls, but the child already sits down.)

6. Dalawang patukod-langit, Apat na patukod-lupa, Dalawang pagaspas, Isang pamaspas. (Two posts pointing heavenward, four posts pointing to the ground, two fans, and one fly-swatter).

7. Sanga-sanga, buko-buko; nagbubulaklak at di nagbubuko, naglalama’y walang buto. (The branch has a bud, but the flowers do no bud, and the flesh has no seeds).

8. May katawan, walang mukha. Walang mata’s lumuluha. (It has a body, but no face. It has no eyes but it cries.)

9. Kung di lamang sa bibig ko, ay nagutom ang barbero. (If not for my mouth, the barber would go hungry.)

10. Isang balong malalim, punung-puno ng patalim. (One deep well, full of sharp knives.)

*** Have you made your guesses? Here are the answers!

***

1. makahiya (Mimosa / The Sensitive Plant)

2. hangin (wind)

3. panulat / ballpen (pen)

4. mais (ear of corn)

5. kalabasa (squash)

6. kalabaw (water buffalo)

7. kamote (sweetpotato)

8. kandila (candle)

9 gunting (scissors)

10. bibig (mouth)

***

image: sxc