kawani

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Tagalog

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From ka- +‎ wani, according to Panganiban (1972).

Alternatively, borrowed from Malay kerani (clerk) (written in Jawi as کراني), ultimately from Tamil கிராணி (kirāṇi, clerk) or from Sanskrit करण (karaṇa, scribe). Theories on the linkage from Malay include:

  • According to Potet (2016), when the word was introduced to Tagalog, the Jawi letter ر (r) was probably mistaken for the letter و (w).
  • According to Zorc (1981), the /r/ possibly shifted to /l/ when borrowed then the /l/ was lost later on and became /w/.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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kawaní or kawani (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜏᜈᜒ)

  1. (formal) employee
    Synonyms: empleado, tauhan
    kawani ng pamahalaangovernment employee
  2. helper; aid; assistant
    Synonyms: katulong, katulungin

Derived terms

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See also

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Adjective

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kawaní or kawani (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜏᜈᜒ)

  1. working as an employee or helper

Further reading

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