kakila-kilabot
The English word 'awful' is translated to Tagalog as kakila-kilabot.
The term kakila-kilabot is used to describe something that is very bad. In informal settings, you may also hear other terms used to convey a sense of something being awful or extreme, such as Pangit or Grabe.
Meaning: very bad (adj)
Which one should you use?
Pangit translates to 'ugly' but is used to describe something as 'awful' or 'terrible' in informal settings. Grabe translates to 'serious' or 'intense' but is used to convey the sense of something being 'awful' or 'extreme'.
Did you know?
- The word kakila-kilabot comes from kilabot, which describes the physical sensation of hair standing on end or goosebumps from fear.
- In the Philippines, if you say something is grabe, you are not necessarily being negative. It can describe an 'awful' amount of something positive, like an 'intense' amount of deliciousness.
- To describe something as 'awful' in a way that implies it is 'too much', Filipinos often use the Spanish-derived word grabe rather than the native kakila-kilabot.
Examples in context
- Ang nangyari sa kanya ay pangit.What happened to him is awful.
- Grabe ang traffic ngayon!The traffic is awful today!
- Kakila-kilabot ang balita.The news is awful.
- Isang kakila-kilabot na karanasan ito.This is an awful experience.
- Kakila-kilabot ang hitsura ng lugar.The appearance of the place is awful.
Example conversation
Maria and Mark are discussing a scary movie they just watched.
- MariaMark, nakita mo ba ang huling eksena?Mark, did you see the last scene?
- MarkOo, kakila-kilabot ang itsura ng halimaw.Yes, the monster's appearance was awful.
- MariaHindi ako makatulog dahil sa takot.I cannot sleep because of fear.
- MarkAko rin, masyadong nakakatakot ang pelikula.Me too, the movie was too scary.
