tiwali
/tiwaˈliʔ/
The English verb "corrupt" can be translated into Tagalog as tiwali.
The word tiwali is used to describe the act of changing something from a state of goodness or integrity to a state of badness or dishonesty.
Meaning: to change from good to bad (verb)
Which one should you use?
While tiwali is the standard term, you may encounter the word kurakot in more casual settings. Additionally, if you wish to refer to the concept of "corruption" as a noun rather than the verb "to corrupt", use the word katiwalian.
How do you pronounce it?
/tiwaˈliʔ/
Did you know?
- In the Philippines, the word buwaya, meaning 'crocodile', is a common metaphor for a tiwali official due to the animal's greed.
- While tiwali is the standard term for being corrupt, it is also used in a physical sense to describe something that is crooked, bent, or no longer straight.
- The word kurakot carries a strong connotation of filth or dirtiness, moving beyond simple dishonesty to suggest something physically repulsive.
Examples in context
- Ang mga opisyal na korap ay dapat managot sa batas.Corrupt officials should be held accountable under the law.
- Ang mga pulitikong kurakot ay hindi dapat pagkatiwalaan.Corrupt politicians cannot be trusted.
- Ang mga walanghiyang opisyal ay sumisira sa ating ekonomiya.Shameless officials are destroying our economy.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Jasmine are discussing politics.
- RicardoMaraming opisyal ang tiwali sa bansa natin.Many officials in our country are corrupt.
- JasmineTotoo iyan, Ricardo. Nakakalungkot ang sitwasyon.That is true, Ricardo. The situation is sad.
- RicardoSana ay hindi tiwali ang mga bagong halal.I hope the newly elected ones are not corrupt.
- JasmineSana nga, para magbago ang lahat.I hope so, so that everything will change.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tiwali, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
