noun
kuya
Kuya (noun) means In Filipino usage, an older brother, or a respectful term used to address or refer to an older male, whether or not he's actually a relative. Example: “She asked her kuya to walk her to school.”
noun
1
In Filipino usage, an older brother, or a respectful term used to address or refer to an older male, whether or not he's actually a relative.
"She asked her kuya to walk her to school."
"The younger staff all called the head chef 'Kuya' out of respect."
How to use kuya
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA warm, respectful Filipino term for an older brother or older male friend.
UK vs US
Not used outside Filipino or Filipino-influenced English contexts.
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Word forms
- Plural
- kuyas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She asked her _____ to walk her to school.
Etymology
From Tagalog kuya, ultimately from a Hokkien Chinese term for an elder brother.
Rhymes for kuya
See all rhymes for kuya →Frequently asked questions
What does “kuya” mean?
The word “kuya” means in Filipino usage, an older brother, or a respectful term used to address or refer to an older male, whether or not he's actually a relative. In plain terms, a warm, respectful Filipino term for an older brother or older male friend.
How do you use “kuya” in a sentence?
Here is “kuya” used in a sentence: “She asked her kuya to walk her to school.”
What part of speech is “kuya”?
“Kuya” is a noun.
Where does the word “kuya” come from?
The word “kuya” comes from Chinese. From Tagalog kuya, ultimately from a Hokkien Chinese term for an elder brother.
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