napakahalaga
The English word "crucial" is translated into Tagalog as napakahalaga.
napakahalaga is used to describe something that is extremely important. You may also use the alternative napakaimportante, which utilizes a borrowed root from Spanish or English, to express the same idea of being very important.
Meaning: extremely important (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word napakahalaga is composed of the intensifier prefix napa-, meaning "very" or "extremely" and the root word halaga, which means "value" or "importance".
Which one should you use?
While napakahalaga is a standard way to express extreme importance, Mahalaga can be used in a formal sense to mean "crucial" and Kinakailangan is another formal option. In casual settings, the informal phrase Sobrang importante is often used to mean "super important".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective napakahalaga is invariant, meaning it does not change regardless of the gender or number of the noun it is describing.
Did you know?
- While napakahalaga describes importance, the word mahal is the root for both 'expensive' and 'dear' or 'loved'. This creates a linguistic link between high value and affection.
- To ask for the price of an item, a speaker uses the root of 'crucial' in the phrase Magkano ang halaga?
- Using the borrowed word importante instead of the indigenous halaga can change the tone from a sentimental or intrinsic importance to a more formal or professional one.
Examples in context
- Ang pagkakaroon ng maayos na komunikasyon ay kinakailangan sa negosyoGood communication is crucial in business
- Ang paggamit ng tamang aparato ng seguridad ay mahalaga sa pagtatrabahoUsing the right safety equipment is crucial in work
- Sobrang importante na sumunod sa mga patakaran ng paaralanIt's crucial to follow the school rules
- Ang pag-aalaga sa kalikasan ay napakahalaga sa kinabukasan ng susunod na henerasyon.Taking care of the environment is crucial for the future of the next generation.
- Ang kasanayan sa pagmemekanika ay mahalaga para sa isang nagmamaneho.Mechanical skills are crucial for a driver.
- Napakahalaga ng iyong tulong.Your help is crucial.
- Napakahalaga ng iyong tulong sa akin.Your help is extremely important to me.
- Napakahalaga ng oras para sa ating proyekto.Time is extremely important for our project.
- Napakahalaga ng bawat detalye sa ulat na ito.Every detail in this report is extremely important.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Christina are discussing a deadline at work.
- ChristinaRicardo, tapos na ba ang plano?Ricardo, is the plan finished?
- RicardoHindi pa, Christina, pero napakahalaga na matapos ito ngayon.Not yet, Christina, but it is extremely important to finish this today.
- ChristinaTama ka, kailangan natin itong matapos agad.You're right, we need to finish this immediately.
- RicardoGagawa ako ng paraan para matapos ito.I will find a way to finish this.
