abala
/ʔaˈbala/
The Tagalog word for busy is abala.
Abala is used to describe a person who is currently occupied with tasks or a situation that is full of activity. It can be used to describe someone who is engaged or preoccupied.
Meaning: engaged or preoccupied (adj)
Which one should you use?
While abala is the standard way to say busy or preoccupied, it can also mean a disturbance or an interruption depending on the context in which it is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express being busier, you can use mas abala by adding mas before the word. The verb form nag-aabala can be used to describe the ongoing state of being busy, or it can refer to the act of causing an interruption or a bother. For emphasis in informal settings, you can use the phrase Busy na busy to mean very busy.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔaˈbala/
Did you know?
- The word abala is actually a linguistic descendant of a word meaning 'shoulder'. This suggests that the concept of being busy may have originally evolved from a physical gesture or a way of carrying a burden on one's shoulder.
- While abala means 'busy', the verb nag-aabala can be used to politely describe the act of going out of one's way to do a favor for someone else.
- Because abala can mean 'to bother', saying 'Huwag kang mag-aabala' can be a polite way to say 'Don't trouble yourself' when someone offers to help.
Examples in context
- Abalang tao si Tom.Tom is a busy fellow.This sentence uses abala to describe a person.Tatoeba #11647036 by qwertzu, translation #5007465 by CK
- Abala po kaming pareho.Both of us were busy.This sentence uses abala to describe the state of two people.Tatoeba #11830711 by qwertzu, translation #8043254 by CK
- Abala ako, dahil kung hindi, tinanggap ko na sana ang imbitasyon mo.I am busy, otherwise I would accept your invitation.This sentence uses abala to explain a reason for declining an invitation.Tatoeba #11578720 by qwertzu, translation #261720 by Auride
- Paumanhin, hindi ko po kayo maasikaso agad dahil abala po ako sa ibang gawain.I'm sorry, I cannot attend to you immediately because I am busy with other tasks.
- Bro, sorry hindi tayo makakapaglaro ngayon, busy na busy ako sa trabaho.Bro, sorry we can't play today, I am very busy with work.
- Ay grabe, tambak na tambak na ang mga dapat kong tapusin ngayon.Oh no, the tasks I need to finish today are piling up.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jasmine asks Ricardo if he can go out for coffee.
- JasmineRicardo, gusto mo bang mag-kape?Ricardo, do you want to grab coffee?
- RicardoPasensya na, Jasmine, abala ako sa trabaho.Sorry, Jasmine, I am busy with work.
- JasmineSige, baka sa ibang araw na lang.Okay, maybe some other day then.
- RicardoSalamat sa pag-unawa.Thanks for understanding.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry abala, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abala, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
