ningas-kugon

Tagalog

Alternative forms

• dingas-kugon
• lingas-kugon
• ningas kugon

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/ [ˌni.ŋɐs ˈku.ɣon], /ˌniŋas kuˈɡon/ [ˌni.ŋɐs kʊˈɣon]
• 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