ningas-kugon

Tagalog

Alternative forms

Etymology

From ningas (“ignition”) +‎ kugon (“cogon grass”), literally “burns like cogon”. Dried cogon grass is highly flammable & ignites easily, but likewise, burns out quickly or does not last long.

Pronunciation

  • (Standard Tagalog) IPA(key): /ˌniŋas ˈkuɡon/ [ˌn̪iː.ŋɐs ˈkuː.ɣon̪], /ˌniŋas kuˈɡon/ [ˌn̪iː.ŋɐs kʊˈɣon̪]
  • Rhymes: -uɡon, -on
  • Syllabification: ni‧ngas-ku‧gon

Adjective

ningas-kugon or ningas-kugón (Baybayin spelling ᜈᜒᜅᜐ᜔ᜃᜓᜄᜓᜈ᜔)

  1. (idiomatic) fleetingly enthusiastic; hardworking, nice, or great at first, but eventually, no longer continues what was started

Noun

ningas-kugon or ningas-kugón (Baybayin spelling ᜈᜒᜅᜐ᜔ᜃᜓᜄᜓᜈ᜔)

  1. ephemeral enthusiasm
  2. activity or project that doesn't last

Usage notes

  • This describes how an initially fiery excitement over a new endeavor loses steam very quickly.

Further reading

  • “ningas-kugon”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, Manila, 2018
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