Honor This – Honor That

[Major Tom]

Asawa always uses the word ‘honor’ (also spelled as honour) when the children are not taking diligent care of their possessions, such as iPads, books, clothing… well, I guess just about anything or everything.

She’ll say things to our son such as “you didn’t honor your iPad and now it’s sira (broken).” Asawa uses this word quite often, so I finally asked her about the use of the word (honor), and she quickly changed the topic to avoid answering me. 

Am I the only one who has a Filipina spouse/gf that uses ‘honor’ as a verb for taking good care of an object?  

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, Major Tom said:

Am I the only one who has a Filipina spouse/gf that uses ‘honor’ as a verb for taking good care of an object? 

Maybe yep.  But all have some English words that they prefer in may situations.  Its part of their charm.

[JJReyes]

"Honor" is the equivalent of "being responsible" pronounced like a Spanish word.   It comes from the expression, "Palabra de Honor" or "word of honor." The child receives a toy from the parents, and he/she breaks it.  The reprimand implies a fault in the child for not taking care of it.  Newer words in English are now used like the more modern, "You bad."

[Major Tom]

15 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

But all have some English words that they prefer in may situations.  Its part of their charm.

Yes, sigurado! 

[Major Tom]

2 minutes ago, JJReyes said:

"Honor" is the equivalent of "being responsible" pronounced like a Spanish word.   It comes from the expression, "Palabra de Honor" or "word of honor."

Ang asawa might not even know this--i.e., the origin of using "honor."

[Jollygoodfellow]

3 hours ago, Major Tom said:

Am I the only one who has a Filipina spouse/gf that uses ‘honor’ as a verb for taking good care of an object?

Since she changed the subject it could be she mistakes the meaning as we might know it. I don't personally hear it but these days Im lucky to hear anything it seems, huh, what?  

[Kingpin]

11 hours ago, Major Tom said:

Am I the only one who has a Filipina spouse/gf that uses ‘honor’ as a verb for taking good care of an object?

Maybe she got honor confused with respect, or maybe to her honor means take care of.

The funny thing is there really aren't any better words you could in that situation.

[Tommy T.]

L's favourite term to use for many things is "respect." That is really important to her and she relates to me that it is also of primary importance to most, if not all, Filipinos.... As in respect your spouses, parents, respect your teachers (she is one), respect your materials, respect your tools and equipment....and on and on... I have not heard her use or refer to the term honour... only respect... Maybe the same thing but because of different languages/dialects?

[hk blues]

14 hours ago, Major Tom said:

Asawa always uses the word ‘honor’ (also spelled as honour) when the children are not taking diligent care of their possessions, such as iPads, books, clothing… well, I guess just about anything or everything.

She’ll say things to our son such as “you didn’t honor your iPad and now it’s sira (broken).” Asawa uses this word quite often, so I finally asked her about the use of the word (honor), and she quickly changed the topic to avoid answering me. 

Am I the only one who has a Filipina spouse/gf that uses ‘honor’ as a verb for taking good care of an object?  

I've never heard my wife, or anybody else for that matter, use honor in that way.  It's too strong IMO - respect is more appropriate for everyday things/people.  

[gbmmbg]

My wife gets upset with me if I don't correct her English. We were eating at a restaurant back in the states and she said something but flipped the tence of two of the words. Out of habit I corrected her and laughed a little because she did the same thing an hour ago. Then the woman sitting in the both next to us turned and said maybe your wife or girl friend would learn better if you didn't make fun of her. Then she made some comment about men marring young Asian women so they can be in charge. My wife starting laughing and told her thank you for saying I'm a young Asian wife, but I'm 9 months older then my husband of 34 years and if you think he's in charge you are mistake. Of course I had to correct her"mistaken". I don't think I have laughed that hard in years.