The English word for kilig
Many people have been asking, “What is the English word for kilig?”
Well, to my non-Filipino readers, kilig is that shivery, fuzzy, chilling [positive] feeling that you get when you’re “in love” or infatuated.
To get straight to the point, I think–take note, I said I think–that it is…
twitterpated
What do you think? Sound off on the comments below!
/EDIT 12/03/2008: Hey, I take dibs on this. I was the one who first linked the word kilig with twitterpated on the whole history of the Internet. Please give due credit by linking to this blog entry.
http://darvit.net/2008/08/18/the-english-word-for-kilig
/EDIT 05/31/2009: Also, as for the history and origin of the word “twitterpated”, it is actually a fictitious word coined by the beloved owl in the Disney film, “Bambi”, describing how the animals “get all twitterpated in Spring”. See the youtube video here.
Tagged as kilig, language, linguistics, Personal, The Web, twitterpated, urbandictionary, words + Categorized as The Best of D'Arvit
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[...] I have a penchant for words that capture life’s unavoidable realities, like the Filipino term kilig, which has a questionnable direct translation to English (speaking of kilig, it’s [...]
hahaha. that’s a very cute post, pam.
Well I was rather serious when I wrote that.
It’s one of the greatest linguistic puzzles of all time–just as puzzling as the English term for “pang-ilan”. 
the english of pang ilan is what ordinal number =))
@JE: Thanks for the input!
We hardly hear that in casual conversation, though.
thanks for the answer of what kilig english is…
You’re welcome! Thanks for your feedback! Tons of people have been landing on this page, all looking for the English word for “kilig”, but only two of you even bothered to let me know if they agree that “twitterpated” is indeed its proper translation.
hmm..yeah I’ve researched the meaning of the word “twitterpatted”
you’re answer could be or really is right!
i agree about the twitterpated.
thanks for your answer.. actually it’s my first time to know the english word of kilig.. if i don’t need to know.. maybe i still won’t know it till now.. haha anyways, thanks.. mwah.. =)
i was really eager to know what kilig is in english (too lazy to research or even bother looking it up), i never heard of this word before so thank you very much for sharing!
it’s cool that you know that term haha thanks
hey pam! it’s cool that you know that term..
Romantically excited! Great translation! Thanks! Will be using it in my upcoming post and will give due credits to you =)
coolness! linked to your article
Sweet! Thanks!
I think another good word for it is “giddy.”
have you tried looking up “giddy”? it’s more apt to describe that infatuated feeling.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I disagree. “Giddy” is not a feeling exclusive to love/infatuation, whereas twitterpated is. The very essence of the word “kilig” is exclusively love/infatuation-related as well.
Giddy is but a subset of twitterpated and kilig.
thanks for the post. i was trying to descibe a movie to an american friend and wanted to tell her to watch it because it’s “nakakakilig” but i just couldn’t find the right English word. twitterpated… hmmmm it’s a new word so i’m not sure if she’d get it. i just told her i was “tickled pink to the bones” when i watched the movie – haha!
“giddy” is more like that “happy feeling” that you get from a roller coaster ride or from riding in a car with it’s top down at 80 mph.
here’s 2 more Tagalog words i need help with:
(1) “Tampo” – as in – Huwag ka na magtampo sa akin.
(2) “Lambing” – as in – Kailangan lang nya ng konting lambing.
hi^^
so happy i came across the site..its my first time actually..was looking for the english term for kilig..so i thank all of you for giving me such bright answer..twitterpated is actually new to me..hehhe..
thanks a bunch mwahh!!!
and one thing @eanga316..i like “tickled pink to the bones”..wahh so cute..ohhmy..im sure im gonna use it..but dnt worry ill gve proper credit..mwahh!!
Hey, I agree with this post! Just wanted to let you know
lambing is to show fondness or affection
e.g. all he/she needs is a little affection
tampo is i think sulking but it doesnt apply to all sentences because its so formal. i suggest ticked off or pissed off.
e.g. you’re ticked off again or dont be pissed at me.
hope it helped
Kilig doesn’t have a direct translation. Unless we take it real technical.
However, most fangirls will agree that *squeal* is a close equivalent.
*squee!!*
*kilig!!*
Eh? Eh???
Wow, thanks for the interesting post! Linked this entry to my latest blog entry, I mentioned my penchant for words that capture life’s realities
Twitterpated – uh-huh! I remember someone telling me this before.
Here’s my entry:
http://thefancydelight.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/schaden-what-on-my-favorite-word/
wow…i love it…thanks for this? how about “ang kapal ng mukha mo?”
well, sabi sa google translate
“hoity-toity” daw..haha
whatever that means:))
Really? That’s interesting!
These days, “hoity-toity” is synonymous to “uppity” or perhaps “arrogant” and “pretentious”. I did look it up and it used to be defined as “thoughtless, giddy behavior,” which could be argued as a good translation for kilig. I suppose that hoity-toity’s meaning eventually evolved.
ewan kooo …
Twitterpated is not the direct translation, but it’s close enough. Twitterpated is usually linked to the word horny, which obviously mean it has a sexual meaning as well. Kilig however does not have any sexual meaning whatsoever. Kilig is too innocent of a word to be directly translated into twitterpated. I read in this one article (I forgot where, but it was online for sure) that kilig is one of those foreign words that do not have a direct English word translation.
its good to pass by in this site. im really finding the english word for kilig and i couldnt find the english word that is really fitted.im gonna use “twitterpated” as you said. it is new to my ears.thanks! Filipinos are really great.
thanks!
I think “smitten” is a closer translation. It doesn’t imply any sexual feelings and is clearly an overwhelming feeling of love and fondness for another. Synonymous with “infatuated, enamored, swept off your feet, etc.”
I agree with twitterpatted
. Thanks for making the connection. [I've been trying to translate kilig for some of my non-Filipino friends and could never put down the word.]
To add to the definition, kilig also connotes feeling twitterpated from watching 2 lovers together. I THINK, Its like you’re feeling ‘kilig’ for them, the same way you’re “happy for a friend” or “they’re so sweet, awwww”. I THINK, Smitten or Love-struck is a higher intensity of “kilig”.
Makes you wonder about the difference of ideas between languages. “Kilig” is such a common idea to Filipinos, yet you have to research the equivalent in English (twiterpated, smitten, love-struck, etc.)
There was this genetic research where the American researchers couldn’t figure out which genes decided the front legs and back legs of an animal. They spent a lot of time and stil couldn’t figure it out. Then a German researcher looked over their work. He saw the problem, in German, they didn’t distinguish between front and hind legs. The gene responsible for deciding took care of front and back legs. [Info may not be so accurate, but that's the general idea of the story without getting to complicated terms].
It’s awesome, the power of ideas in language
(It’s sad how many languages are disappearing every month, http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/enduring-voices/?source=link_tw20120221travel-enduringvoices)
More twitterpated animals from Bambi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=lRhbjUzucec&NR=1