Filipino vs. Filipina — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 7, 2023
Filipino refers to a person from the Philippines or their culture, applicable to all genders. Filipina is used exclusively for females from the Philippines.
Difference Between Filipino and Filipina
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Filipino is a term that can refer to anyone or anything from the Philippines, irrespective of gender. It is also the official language of the country. Filipina, on the other hand, specifically refers to female individuals from the Philippines, distinguishing them based on gender.
Filipino culture is rich and diverse, a blend of Eastern and Western traditions. In referring to its people, Filipino is inclusive of all genders. In contrast, Filipina is used when emphasizing the female aspect of the Philippine identity.
When talking about citizens of the Philippines internationally, the term Filipino is used as a general reference. Filipina is reserved for contexts where specifying the female gender is relevant or necessary.
The language spoken in the Philippines is also called Filipino, which is based on Tagalog. It is used by both men and women. Filipina does not refer to language but strictly to the female demographic.
In terms of adjectival use, Filipino is applied to describe anything related to the Philippines, such as Filipino cuisine or Filipino traditions, without implying gender. Filipina would not be used in this adjectival sense, as it pertains only to women.
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Comparison Chart
Gender Association
Not gender-specific
Female-specific
Usage as a Noun
Refers to people of any gender
Refers to women only
Adjectival Use
Describes anything from the Philippines
Not used adjectivally
Language Reference
Refers to the national language
Does not refer to the language
Cultural Reference
Used in general cultural contexts
Used when referring to women in cultural contexts
Compare with Definitions
Filipino
A person from the Philippines
The Filipino community celebrated their national independence day.
Filipina
A term used to identify a woman of Philippine origin
The Filipina entrepreneur was featured in the magazine.
Filipino
Pertaining to the culture of the Philippines
She is studying Filipino performing arts.
Filipina
Referring to the female population of the Philippines
Filipinas are making strides in science and technology.
Filipino
A gender-neutral term for people of the Philippines
Every Filipino has the right to vote.
Filipina
A female native or citizen of the Philippines
She is a Filipina with a passion for her homeland.
Filipino
The official language of the Philippines
He spoke in Filipino to communicate with the locals.
Filipina
A female representative of Philippine culture
The Filipina dancers wore traditional dresses for the festival.
Filipino
Relating to the Philippines or its people
Filipino cuisine is known for its unique flavors.
Filipina
A woman with Philippine ancestry
As a Filipina, she cherishes her family traditions.
Filipino
Relating to the Philippines, the Filipinos, or their language.
Filipina
A female Filipino.
Filipino
A native or inhabitant of the Philippines, or a person of Filipino descent.
Filipina
A Filipino woman or girl. See Usage Note at Latina1.
Filipino
The national language of the Philippines, a standardized form of Tagalog.
Filipino
A native or inhabitant of the Philippines.
Filipino
A person of Filipino ancestry.
Filipino
The Austronesian language that is based on Tagalog, draws its lexicon from other Philippine languages, and is the official language of the Philippines.
Filipino
Of or relating to the Philippines or its peoples, languages, or cultures.
Filipino
Of or relating to the Philippines or its people or customs.
Filipino
Of or relating to the language of the Philippines.
Filipino
A native or inhabitant of the Philippine Islands, specif. one of Spanish descent or of mixed blood.
Then there are Filipinos, - "children of the country," they are called, - who are supposed to be pure-blooded descendants of Spanish settlers. But there are few of them without some touch of Chinese or native blood.
Filipino
The official language of the Philippines, based on Tagalog. It draws its lexicon from other Philippine languages.
Filipino
A native or inhabitant of the Philippines
Filipino
Official language of the Philippines; based on Tagalog; draws its lexicon from other Philippine languages
Filipino
Of or relating to or characteristic of the Philippines or its people or customs;
The Philippine President
Our Filipino cook
Common Curiosities
What defines someone as Filipino?
Filipino can refer to a person of either gender from the Philippines or to the national language of the Philippines.
Can Filipino be used for both men and women?
Yes, Filipino is gender-neutral and can represent individuals of any gender.
Why is there a separate term for females from the Philippines?
The term Filipina is used for clarity and tradition, to specifically acknowledge women.
Is Filipina the female version of Filipino?
Yes, Filipina specifically refers to a female from the Philippines.
Is it correct to use Filipino when referring to an object from the Philippines?
Yes, as an adjective, Filipino is used to describe something related to the Philippines.
How do I know whether to use Filipino or Filipina?
Use Filipino when gender is not specified, and Filipina when referring to a female.
Are there other terms similar to Filipina for males?
There is no equivalent male-specific term; Filipino is used for all genders.
Does Filipina have any implications beyond gender?
No, it is purely a term to denote gender within the context of Philippine nationality.
Is the use of Filipina in language declining?
The use may vary; it's more about personal and cultural preference.
Can businesses be called Filipina?
No, Filipina is only used for individuals. Businesses would be described as Filipino.
In official documents, would one use Filipino or Filipina?
Filipino is commonly used, but Filipina may be used if gender specification is necessary.
Can Filipino also refer to the language spoken in the Philippines?
Yes, Filipino refers to the official language of the Philippines.
How do you pronounce Filipino and Filipina?
Filipino is pronounced as /fɪˈlɪpiːnoʊ/, and Filipina as /ˌfɪlɪˈpiːnə/.
Can Filipina be considered an outdated term?
Not necessarily, it’s still widely used, but some prefer the more inclusive Filipino for all contexts.
In what contexts might one use Filipina over Filipino?
Filipina is used when specifically talking about females, especially in cultural, social, or demographic discussions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
