ingay

Ingay is a Filipino noun meaning noise or loud sound. It refers to an audible disturbance in a setting, such as traffic, crowds, or environmental sounds, and can also describe a general fuss or commotion. In everyday Tagalog, ingay is used to describe the level of sound and its impact on mood or comfort. It commonly appears in phrases like may ingay sa labas (there is noise outside) and ang ingay ng trapiko (the noise of traffic).

Usage and nuance: In daily speech, ingay is used to describe how loud a place is and to compare sound levels. It can refer to both ordinary background noise and disruptive disturbances. The term can also appear metaphorically to describe a fuss or controversy surrounding a topic, not limited to sound.

Etymology and related forms: Ingay is a native Tagalog word. Its exact historical derivation is not widely documented in English-language sources, but the term is widely understood across Tagalog-speaking communities. It has related forms in everyday speech, including the verb mag-ingay meaning to make noise, as in huwag mag-ingay (do not make noise).

Related terms and distinctions: In the Philippine languages, ingay sits among a family of terms for sound. It is usually the neutral term for a loud or disruptive sound. It is distinct from terms such as ugong (a rumbling sound) or kalabog (banging or clattering), which describe more specific acoustic qualities.

See also: Tagalog language; Noise; Philippine languages.