Gigil refers to the trembling or gritting of the teeth in response to a situation that overwhelms your self-control. It’s been commonly described as an irresistible urge to squeeze something cute.

When a Filipina sees a cute baby, she feels a barely controllable desire to pinch the baby’s cheeks and has a hard time controlling herself. What she’s experiencing is called panggigigil.

Nakakagigil talaga ang bata.

That child is so frickin’ adorable! (So cute I have to grit my teeth to keep myself from pinching his cheeks off.)

Nakagigigil ka. / Nakakagigil ka.

You’re so frickin’ cute I can’t help myself.

You’re so frustrating I can’t help myself.

* It is not necessarily cuteness that provokes this response. Sometimes, when you get frustrated with someone, you can have the gí·gil reaction to the person as well.

Nanggigigil.

Having a hard time controlling oneself because of frustration.

Nanggigigil ako.

I am having a hard time controlling myself because of cuteness, etc.

Stylized spelling on social media: qiqil

KAHULUGAN SA TAGALOG

gígil: paglalapat nang mariin ang mga labì kasabay ng panginginig ng katawan upang ipahayag ang pinipigil na tuwa o kung minsan, gálit

manggígil, pánggigílan



