buwan

Buwan is a Filipino word with two related meanings: the Moon and a month. In everyday Filipino, the intended sense is usually clear from context, whether discussing astronomy or time.

Etymology and usage: Buwan is cognate with Malay and Indonesian bulan, from the Proto-Malay-Polynesian root *bulan, referring to both the Moon and a lunar month. In Tagalog and many Philippine languages, the same term covers both senses, and context signals which meaning is intended.

As the Moon: When used for the Moon, buwan denotes Earth’s natural satellite. The Moon orbits Earth in roughly 27.3 days (sidereal) or about 29.5 days (synodic) and shows phases from new to full to crescent. The Moon has a significant influence on tides and has long featured in calendars, folklore, and navigation.

As a unit of time: As a measure of time, buwan means a calendar month. It is used in phrases such as dalawampung buwan or limang buwan to indicate spans of months. In everyday usage, people may refer to time intervals in terms of months rather than individual named calendar entries (e.g., “two months”).

Cultural note: Buwan ng Wika, or Language Month, is a national observance in the Philippines held annually to promote Filipino and other Philippine languages. The term also appears in Filipino literature, songs, and everyday expressions, reflecting its central role in language and timekeeping.