Sombong

Sombong is an adjective used in Filipino languages, particularly Tagalog, to describe a person who is arrogant, conceited, or pompous. It characterizes behavior, speech, or demeanor that shows excessive self-importance and disregard for others. The term is common in everyday speech as well as in literature, media, and social commentary. In Malay and Indonesian, where a cognate form exists, sombong also denotes prideful or condescending conduct, reflecting a shared cultural association between humility and social behavior.

Etymology and related terms: In Tagalog, sombong is generally treated as a loanword from Malay or Indonesian, though its precise origin is not clearly documented. It has integrated into Tagalog vocabulary with a stable negative meaning. Related terms include mayabang and mapagmataas for “arrogant,” while mapagkumbaba is used to describe humility or a humble attitude.

Usage and nuance: The word often conveys moral judgment about excessive self-importance rather than mere confidence. It can be used in phrases such as "sombong na tao" or "hindi dapat maging ganun ang isang tao." In contemporary discourse, sombong appears in education, parenting, literature, and media as a descriptor of character. Antonyms include mapagkumbaba and may be used to encourage humility; synonyms include mayabang and mapagmataas, though connotations can vary by context.