maganda
/maɡanˈda/
The English word beautiful is translated into Filipino as maganda.
Maganda is versatile and can be used to describe people, objects, scenery or even abstract concepts like an idea or a song.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
Which one should you use?
While maganda is the standard word for 'beautiful', marikit is a more poetic or literary alternative used in formal writing or songs.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the prefix napaka- to maganda intensifies the adjective to mean 'very beautiful'. The form pinakamaganda is the superlative form used to express that something is the 'most beautiful'.
How do you pronounce it?
/maɡanˈda/
Did you know?
- The word maganda is the core of the standard greeting Magandang umaga, which means 'Good morning'. In this context, 'beautiful' is used instead of 'good' to wish someone a lovely start to their day.
- While maganda is used for beauty, the word guapo is often used specifically for handsome men, reflecting the strong influence of Spanish vocabulary on Filipino descriptions of people.
- In Filipino culture, the concept of ganda extends beyond visual looks to include a person's character and morality, meaning a 'beautiful' soul is described using the same root as a 'beautiful' face.
Examples in context
- Maganda po ba siya?Is she beautiful?This sentence uses maganda to ask about someone's beauty.Tatoeba #11761981 by qwertzu, translation #2502584 by irish
- Maganda ang agilang iyan.That eagle is beautiful.This sentence uses maganda to describe an eagle.Tatoeba #11789594 by qwertzu, translation #9462401 by CK
- Maganda ang karpet na ito.This carpet is beautiful.This sentence uses maganda to describe a carpet.Tatoeba #11756190 by qwertzu, translation #1789182 by Spamster
- Ang iyong hugis ay napakaganda.Your figure is very beautiful.
- Ang mga rosas na ito ay napakagaganda.These roses are very beautiful.
- Ang kagandahan ng lugar na ito ay nakakamangha.The beauty of this place is breathtaking.
- Ang bagong artista na ito ay talagang gwapo/gwapa.This new artist is really handsome/beautiful.
- Ang damit na suot mo ay sobrang ganda!The dress you're wearing is really beautiful!
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jose and Maria are looking at a sunset at the beach.
- JoseMaria, ang ganda ng sunset!Maria, the sunset is beautiful!
- MariaOo, maganda talaga ang kulay.Yes, the colors are truly beautiful.
- JoseMasaya ako na kasama kita.I am happy to be with you.
- MariaAko rin, Jose.Me too, Jose.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beautiful” translations and entries maganda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
