usapan

Usapan is a Filipino term that primarily refers to a conversation or the subject of talk. It is a noun derived from the verb usap, meaning to speak or converse, with the nominalizing suffix -an to indicate the matter or instance of the action. In everyday use, usapan can denote both the act of talking and the topic being discussed, as in phrases like “Ano ang usapan natin?” or “Ito ang usapan namin kahapon.” The word thus functions flexibly to indicate a discussion, dialogue, or exchange of ideas, often within a social or informal setting.

In addition to its neutral meaning, usapan can carry nuances related to what people are saying about someone or something. In casual speech, it may refer to gossip or rumors, especially in expressions such as usapang kalye (street talk) or when a topic is widely circulated or debated. The term is common across Filipino-speaking communities and appears in both spoken and written communication.

Related linguistic forms include the verb usap (to speak) and the verb phrase pag-usapan, which means to discuss or to talk about something. The reduplicated form usap-usapan is used to describe a matter that is widely talked about or a topic of frequent discussion.

Overall, usapan captures the everyday human activity of talking and the information or topics that emerge from such interaction, making it a core concept in Filipino social and communicative behavior.