Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| lumuha | /luˈmuhaʔ/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| umiyak | /ʔumiˈak/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| tumangis | /tuˈmaŋis/ (Standard Tagalog) |
You use these verbs to describe the act of weeping or shedding tears.
What does it mean word for word?
The word lumuha is derived from the root luha, which means 'tear'.
Which one should you use?
The term umiyak is the most common and general way to say 'to cry', encompassing both the physical act of shedding tears and the emotional expression of weeping or sobbing. In contrast, lumuha specifically refers to the physical act of shedding tears. Finally, tumangis is used to describe intense weeping, wailing or lamentation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tumangis is a formal or literary term used to describe intense weeping, wailing or lamentation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Tagalog region, the term iyak is frequently used to mean 'cry' or 'crying'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the provided examples, the form umiyak functions as the completed aspect (past tense) of the verb, though it can also function as an infinitive.
How do you pronounce it?
/luˈmuhaʔ/
Did you know?
- While umiyak is the general word for crying, Filipinos often use the phrase iyak-tawa to describe the state of laughing so hard that you begin to cry.
- In certain cultural contexts, tumangis is associated with the 'pasyon', a traditional chanting of the Passion of Christ that involves communal weeping.
- Filipinos sometimes use the word iyak as a slang term to describe someone who is complaining or acting like a 'crybaby' in a competitive gaming or sports context.
Examples in context
- Bakit hindi ka umiyak?Why don't you cry?This sentence is useful for asking why someone is not crying using umiyak.Tatoeba #8653037 by England, translation #1886479 by CK
- Ako lang ang hindi umiyak.I was the only one who didn't cry.This sentence is useful for stating one was the only person who did not cry using umiyak.Tatoeba #13823031 by kangkong, translation #8587477 by CK
- Huwag kang umiyak dahil tapos na. Ngumiti ka dahil nangyari.Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.This sentence is useful for offering comfort or perspective regarding crying using umiyak.Tatoeba #11574984 by qwertzu, translation #4594861 by AsliAbbasi
- Nakita ko siya na umiiyak kanina.I saw her crying earlier.
- Narinig ko ang kanyang hikbi kagabi.I heard her whimpering last night.
- Huminga ka muna nang malalim bago ka umiyak.Take a deep breath before you cry.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Mark are watching a sad movie together.
- MariaNapakalungkot ng pelikulang ito, lumuha ako.This movie is so sad, I shed tears.
- MarkTotoo, nakakaantig talaga ng puso.True, it is really touching.
- MariaAkala ko hindi ako lalabas ang luha.I thought I wouldn't cry.
- MarkNatural lang na lumuha ka, Maria.It's only natural for you to shed tears, Maria.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cry” translations and entries lumuha, umiyak, tumangis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
