This word is from the Spanish barcada (meaning “shipload” or “boatmates”).
barkada
group of friends
barkada
clique, gang
mga barkadang baliw
crazy chums
Ang kabarkada ay masarap kasama.
It feels great to be with chums.
Gusto ko ng kabarkadang lalaki.
I want a male pal. (not romantic interest)
= I want a male friend to hang out with.
Slang version: Dabarkads!
Also: tropa, katropa
Kahulugan sa Tagalog: grupo o pulutong ng magkakaibigan
Meaning in Tagalog: group of friends
On a superficial level, a barkada is a simple friendship group — the friends you hang out with. In reality, a barkada has a marked influence on individuals, with long-lasting bonds that rival those of familial obligations.
Summer 2020: For the record, we real Filipinos born and raised in the Philippines are very much perplexed by the initiative of Filipino Americans to cancel the use of “Barkada” as the name of a wine bar in the United States.
For a sentiment that is similar to ours, read this piece in the Philippine Daily Inquirer penned by Hyacinth Tagupa.
Also, this August 14 piece by Filipino historian Ambeth R. Ocampo.
MGA KAHULUGAN SA TAGALOG
barkáda: barkong punô ng mga sakay o pasahero
barkáda: samahán
barkáda: pangkat ng mga kabataang magkakaibigan
