matahom
The English word 'beautiful' is translated into Bisaya as matahom. Wiktionary also lists maanyag.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Bisaya | IPA |
|---|---|
| matahom | |
| maanyag | /maˈʔanjaɡ/ |
Both matahom and maanyag are used to describe something or someone that is attractive. While they both mean beautiful, they are often used in different contexts than the common colloquial term gwapa, which is the standard way to say a woman is pretty or beautiful in casual conversation.
Which one should you use?
matahom is a more formal or poetic way to say beautiful compared to everyday terms. maanyag is a literary term often used in songs or literature to describe a woman's radiant beauty. In contrast, for everyday casual conversation, speakers more commonly use gwapa to describe a beautiful woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form for beauty, which is derived from the root of maanyag, is kaanyag.
Did you know?
- The word gwapa is actually a loanword from the Spanish word guapa, showing the heavy linguistic influence of Spanish colonization on Bisaya beauty descriptors.
- In poetic Bisaya, matahom is often used to describe the beauty of a voice or a sound, not just something that is seen.
- Unlike gwapa, which is used for people, matahom is the primary choice for describing the beauty of nature, such as a sunset or a landscape.
Examples in context
- Matahom ka nga alibangbang.You are a beautiful butterfly.This sentence shows how to use matahom to describe a butterfly.Tatoeba #4703740 by Josefwintzent, translation #68974 by CM
- Matahom kaayo ang imong sinina.Your dress is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Jose and Elena are walking through a scenic park.
- JoseMatahom kaayo ang mga bulak dinhi.The flowers here are very beautiful.
- ElenaOo, Jose, nindot kaayo ang palibot.Yes, Jose, the surroundings are very nice.
- JoseMatahom gyud kaayo ang imong pahiyom, Elena.Your smile is truly beautiful, Elena.
- ElenaSalamat kaayo, Jose.Thank you very much, Jose.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries matahom, maanyag, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
