utang

Utang is a term in Filipino (Tagalog) that means debt or obligation. It is used to describe money owed to another person or institution, but it also encompasses non-monetary duties that arise from contracts, services received, or social expectations. In everyday language, people say mag-utang (to borrow money), umutang (to borrow), and bayaran ang utang (to pay back the debt). The term can refer broadly to both financial indebtedness and other forms of obligation.

In financial contexts, a loan creates an obligation to repay the principal plus any agreed interest. Lenders—whether individuals, banks, or other institutions—set terms that specify amounts, interest, and due dates. If borrowers fail to meet these terms, legal remedies under contracts and applicable civil law may apply, including collection actions and remedies described in the obligations and contracts provisions of applicable codes.

Utang na loob is a distinctive social concept often translated as a debt of gratitude. It denotes a moral obligation to reciprocate help or generosity received from another person. While it can strengthen social ties and mutual support, it can also create pressure or expectations for reciprocity that extend beyond formal contracts.

Legal and regulatory context in the Philippines covers obligations and contracts, including those arising from loans and other financial arrangements. Civil law governs enforceability, remedies, and remedies for breach, while usury, lending practices, and consumer protections may apply to specific lending arrangements.

In everyday life, utang is widely used across Filipino communities, including overseas Filipino contexts, and remains a core part of discussions about borrowing, repayment, and social obligations.