takot
/taˈkot/
The Tagalog word for afraid is takot.
takot is used to describe being impressed with fear or apprehension. It can function as an adjective to mean afraid, or as a noun meaning fear.
Meaning: impressed with fear or apprehension, in fear, apprehensive (adj)
Which one should you use?
To express a higher intensity of fear, you can repeat the word as takot na takot, which means very afraid. In casual speech, you might use Sobrang takot to mean super scared.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes depending on how you use it: matakot is a verb meaning to be or become afraid, while natatakot describes the ongoing state of being afraid. When you want to say you are afraid of something, use the preposition sa after the word, forming takot sa.
How do you pronounce it?
/taˈkot/
Did you know?
- There is a common Filipino idiom takot sa asawa which literally means 'afraid of the spouse' but is often used jokingly to describe a husband who is henpecked.
- The word takot is a linguistic survivor from the Proto-Austronesian language, meaning it is shared by speakers of languages as far apart as the Philippines and the islands of Māori and Rapa Nui.
- In Filipino culture, the phrase takot sa is often used in a social context to describe someone who is 'intimidated by' or 'submissive to' a dominant person, rather than just feeling fear.
Examples in context
- Takot ako sa dilim.I'm afraid of the dark.This sentence shows how to use takot to express being afraid of the dark.Tatoeba #11300091 by qwertzu, translation #1155879 by CK
- Hindi na ako takot.I'm not afraid anymore.This sentence demonstrates the use of takot in a negative statement to say one is not afraid anymore.Tatoeba #11533287 by qwertzu, translation #2546570 by CK
- Takot ako sa kulog.I'm afraid of thunder.This sentence illustrates how to use takot to express fear of thunder.Tatoeba #11788448 by qwertzu, translation #5751927 by CM
- Natatakot ako sa dilim.I am afraid of the dark.
- Sobrang natatakot ako sa ahas.I am extremely afraid of snakes.
- Takot ako sa aso.I am afraid of dogs.
- Natakot talaga ako noong nagkaroon ng lindol.I got really scared when the earthquake happened.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Angela and Juan are watching a scary horror movie together.
- AngelaTakot ka ba sa pelikulang ito?Are you afraid of this movie?
- JuanOo, takot ako sa mga multo.Yes, I am afraid of ghosts.
- AngelaHuwag kang matakot, nandito lang ako.Don't be afraid, I'm just here.
- JuanSalamat, Angela, pero natatakot pa rin ako.Thanks, Angela, but I am still afraid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “afraid” translations and entries takot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries takot, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
