kwarta

Kwarta is a colloquial Filipino term for money. It is widely used across Tagalog-speaking communities and other Philippine languages to refer to cash on hand, funds, or earnings. Because it is informal, it typically appears in casual conversation, music, jokes, and social media, rather than in formal writing. It is often treated as synonymous with pera, but with a more earthy, streetwise connotation.

Etymology and usage: The word is of Philippine origin, influenced by Spanish during the colonial era. The form kwarta reflects Filipino phonology, including the use of the kw cluster. Many sources suggest a connection to the Spanish cuarto, meaning quarter or coin, but the exact historical path is not definitively settled. In modern Filipino, kwarta is used to refer to money in a broad sense, including cash in hand, savings, and funds available for spending.

Usage and context: In everyday speech, speakers might say may kwarta na ako or wala akong kwarta. In Cebuano and other Philippine languages, the word has a similar meaning. Kwarta also appears in popular culture and media to symbolize money, wealth, or purchasing power.