Barkada
/bɑːrˈkɑː.dɑː/noun
A close group of friends; a gang or circle of companions, especially in Philippine English and Filipino.
Did you know?Barkada is a Filipino loanword from Spanish, and in Philippine usage it became a powerful social word for a tight-knit peer group rather than just “companions.”
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
Spanish
barcada
“a boatload; a group of people traveling or going together”
19th Century
Spanish
barca
“boat, small vessel”
Late Latin
LL
barca
“boat, barge”
Modern Filipino
Filipino
barkada
“a close circle of friends or companions”