batang lalaki
The English phrase 'boy' is translated into Tagalog as batang lalaki.
The term batang lalaki is used to refer to a male child.
Meaning: male child (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bata, which means child and lalaki, which means male or man.
Did you know?
- While batang lalaki is the literal term for 'boy', Filipinos often use the Spanish loanword niño in specific religious or cultural contexts.
- In colloquial speech, the phrase batang [place] is used to describe someone who grew up in a specific neighborhood, such as batang Pasay.
- In many Philippine languages and Malay, the root of lalaki originally meant 'husband' rather than just 'male'.
Examples in context
- Ito ang batang lalaki.This is the boy.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific batang lalaki.Tatoeba #13727944 by qwertzu, translation #56312 by CM
- Payat ang batang lalaki.The boy is thin.This sentence is useful for describing a physical attribute of the batang lalaki.Tatoeba #11396573 by qwertzu, translation #2002586 by bichodebola
- Busog na ang batang lalaki.The boy was full.This sentence is useful for describing a state of being of the batang lalaki.Tatoeba #1788370 by nonong, translation #268046 by CK
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Angela and Jose are looking at a photo of a relative.
- AngelaSino ang batang lalaki sa litrato?Who is the boy in the photo?
- JosePinsan ko siyang batang lalaki.That boy is my cousin.
- AngelaAng cute naman ng batang lalaki!The boy is so cute!
- JoseSalamat, Angela.Thank you, Angela.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries batang, lalaki, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
