bitso-bitso

Tagalog

Alternative forms

• bicho-bicho — Spanish-based orthography
• bitsubitso, bitsu-bitso, bitsu bitso
• bitso bitso, bitsobitso
• bitsu bitsu, bitsu-bitsu, bitsubitsu

Etymology

Reduplication of bitso (“youtiao”) as per Manuel (1948), ultimately from Hokkien. Compare Philippine Spanish vicho-vicho.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ˌbit͡ʃo ˈbit͡ʃo/ [ˌbiː.t͡ʃo ˈbiː.t͡ʃo]
  • IPA^(key): (no yod coalescence) /ˌbitso ˈbitso/ [ˌbit̪.so ˈbit̪.so]
• Rhymes: -it͡ʃo, (no yod coalescence) -itso
• Syllabification: bit‧so-bit‧so

Noun

bítso-bítso (Baybayin spelling ᜊᜒᜆ᜔ᜐᜓᜊᜒᜆ᜔ᜐᜓ)

1. youtiao (elongated deep-fried Chinese doughnut pastry fritter made from rice flour, especially the Philippine version usually rolled in sugar)

   Synonym: bitso

Usage notes

• This term usually refers to the same food as bitso, but sometimes differentiated as being longer.

Derived terms

• bitso-bitsuhan
• bitso-bitsuhin

Related terms

• bihon
• biko
• bithay

See also

• bilo-bilo
• pinisi
• siyakoy

Further reading

• “bitso-bitso”, in KWF Diksiyonaryo ng Wikang Filipino, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, 2024
• “bitso-bitso”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, Manila, 2018
• Santos, Vito C. (1978) Vicassan's Pilipino-English Dictionary, Revised edition (overall work in Tagalog and English), With an Introduction by Teodoro A. Agoncillo, Metro Manila: National Book Store, →ISBN, page 175
• Panganiban, José Villa (1973) Diksyunaryo-Tesauro Pilipino-Ingles (overall work in Tagalog and English), Quezon City: Manlapaz Publishing Co., page 173
• Manuel, E. Arsenio (1948) Chinese elements in the Tagalog language: with some indication of Chinese influence on other Philippine languages and cultures and an excursion into Austronesian linguistics, Manila: Filipiniana Publications, page 18