mahal
/maˈhal/
The Tagalog word for expensive is mahal.
The primary word used to indicate that something has a high price or cost in Tagalog is mahal. It is also used to mean 'dear' or 'beloved' depending on the context of your sentence. To express that something is cheap, the direct antonym is mura.
Meaning: having a high price or cost (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
To say something is 'very expensive', you can use the form napakamahal. This is achieved by using the intensifier napaka- with the root.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈhal/
When do people say it?
When reacting to a high price, it is common to use the exclamation Ang mahal! to mean 'It's expensive!'
Did you know?
- The word mahal is not native to the Philippines but was borrowed from Malay.
Examples in context
- Mahal ang karne ng baka.Beef is expensive.This sentence shows how to describe the price of beef using mahal.Tatoeba #11646578 by qwertzu, translation #9192040 by CK
- Mahal po ang padentista.Dental care is expensive.This sentence uses mahal to describe the cost of dental care.Tatoeba #11828914 by qwertzu, translation #2871534 by Hybrid
- Nagiging mahal ang lahat.Everything is getting expensive.This sentence shows the use of mahal to describe things becoming expensive.Tatoeba #1662489 by nonong, translation #1662476 by Amastan
- Mahal 'yang item na 'yan.That item is expensive.
- Napakamahal ng kotse na 'yanThat car is very expensive.
- Mahal na mahal 'yung cellphone na 'yon,That cellphone is really expensive.
- Ang presyo ng bahay na 'yun ay sobrang mahal.The price of that house is extremely expensive.
- Grabe, ang mahal talaga ng luxury car na 'yun!Wow, that luxury car is really expensive!
- Mahal 'yung cellphone, pero mas mahal pa 'yung laptop.The cellphone is expensive, but the laptop is even more expensive.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ricardo and Maria are shopping at a mall.
- RicardoMaria, tingnan mo ang damit na ito.Maria, look at this dress.
- MariaOo, pero masyadong mahal ang presyo.Yes, but the price is too expensive.
- RicardoTotoo, hindi ito bagay sa budget natin.True, it doesn't fit our budget.
- MariaMaghanap na lang tayo ng mas mura.Let's just look for something cheaper.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “expensive” translations and entries mahal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mahal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
