baka
/ˈbaka/
The Tagalog word for cow is baka.
The term baka refers to the adult female of the species Bos taurus. However, the word 'baka' is used for cows, oxen and cattle in general, rather than being strictly limited to females.
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaka/
When do people say it?
In Tagalog, 'baka' can also mean 'maybe' or 'perhaps', depending on the context of the sentence.
Did you know?
- The word baka is a linguistic coincidence where two unrelated paths met: one is a direct loan from the Spanish word vaca, while the other is an ancient word inherited from the Proto-Philippine root *bakáq.
- Because baka can mean both 'cow' and 'maybe', you might encounter the tongue-twister Baka may baka, which translates to 'Maybe there is a cow'.
Examples in context
- Ingat! May baka sa daan!Be careful! There's a cow in the road!This sentence shows how to use baka when warning about an animal in the road.Tatoeba #11574823 by qwertzu, translation #1584214 by sundown
- Ginatasan nila ang baka.They milked the cow.This sentence illustrates the use of baka in the context of milking.Tatoeba #12990879 by dyuuuuuuuuls, translation #2719532 by Amastan
- Nawala ng baka ang kanyang bulo.The cow lost its calf.This sentence demonstrates the use of baka when discussing a cow losing its calf.Tatoeba #11819780 by qwertzu, translation #3385760 by AlanF_US
- Ang baka ay isang malaking hayop na kumakain ng damo.The cow is a large animal that eats grass.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juan and Jasmine are looking at a farm field.
- JuanAng daming baka sa bukid.There are many cows in the field.
- JasmineAng laki ng baka na iyan.That cow is so big.
- JuanMukhang malusog ang baka.The cow looks healthy.
- JasmineSiguradong masarap ang gatas ng baka.The cow's milk is surely delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cow” translations and entries baka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
