utak

Utak is the Filipino word for the brain, the organ enclosed in the skull that coordinates thought, memory, sensation, and bodily movement. It is used in everyday speech as well as in medical and educational contexts to refer to the central nervous system component responsible for cognitive processing.

Etymology and cognates: Utak is the Tagalog term for brain. It is cognate with Indonesian and Malay otak, both meaning brain, reflecting historical linguistic contact among Austronesian languages. The spelling and pronunciation of Utak in Filipino mirror phonological adaptation from these cognates.

Usage and idioms: In Filipino, utak is commonly used to talk about intelligence or mental capacity, as in "ang utak niya" (his or her brain/intelligence) and "walang utak" (lacking sense). The term appears in medical, educational, and popular contexts, and is sometimes employed metaphorically to discuss problem-solving or planning.

Cultural and educational significance: Discussions of brain structure, nervous system, and cognitive function in Filipino texts typically use utak to refer to the organ, alongside more technical terms. The word remains a central element of everyday language for describing thought, learning, and decision-making.

Other uses: While primarily a common noun in Filipino, Utak may occasionally appear as a surname or place name in different languages; however, such uses are rare and not part of standard Filipino vocabulary.