kamayan

English

Etymology

From Tagalog kamayan (literally “with the hands”).

Noun

kamayan (uncountable)

1. The traditional Filipino method of eating with the bare hands, often as a communal feast where food is served on banana leaves and eaten without utensils.

See also

• boodle fight

Tagalog

Etymology

From kamay +‎ -an. The noun sense is literally, “hands activity”, or more loosely translated as “eating with the hands” or “handshaking” given the context.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog)
  • IPA^(key): /kaˈmajan/ [kɐˈmaː.jɐn̪] (noun)
    • Rhymes: -ajan
  • IPA^(key): /kamaˈjan/ [kɐ.mɐˈjan̪] (verb)
    • Rhymes: -an
• Syllabification: ka‧ma‧yan

Noun

kamayan (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜋᜌᜈ᜔)

1. kamayan (communal feast eating with the bare hands)

   Synonym: (Batangas) sakulan

2. (military, loosely) boodle fight
3. shaking hands with one another

Derived terms

• magkamayan

 

Related terms

• magkamay

 

Verb

kamayán (complete kinamayan, progressive kinakamayan, contemplative kakamayan, Baybayin spelling ᜃᜋᜌᜈ᜔)

1. to receive a handshake (especially after an achievement)

Further reading

• “kamayan”, in KWF Diksiyonaryo ng Wikang Filipino, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, 2024
• “kamayan”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, Manila, 2018