multo
/mulˈto/
The Tagalog word for ghost is multo. Wiktionary also lists aparisyon and pantasma.
Meaning: spirit appearing after death (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| multo | /mulˈto/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| aparisyon | /ʔapaɾisˈjon/ (Standard Tagalog) /ʔapaɾisˈjon/ |
| pantasma |
The term is used to refer to a spirit appearing after death.
Which one should you use?
multo is the most common and colloquial way to say ghost. In contrast, aparisyon and pantasma are used in more formal or literary contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'ghosts', place the word mga before the noun, resulting in mga multo.
How do you pronounce it?
/mulˈto/
Did you know?
- In Filipino folklore, a multo is distinct from a dwende or aswang, as it is specifically the soul of a human rather than a mythical creature or monster.
- Filipino culture often associates multo with 'white ladies', a specific urban legend of female ghosts seen along highways and roads.
- The word multo is a doublet of the word muwerto, meaning the language borrowed the same Spanish root twice to create two different words.
Examples in context
- Mukhang multo si Yanni.Yanni looks like a ghost.This sentence uses multo to describe someone's appearance.Tatoeba #11270309 by qwertzu, translation #8849758 by Amastan
- Hindi nagtagal, naglaho ang multo sa makapal na hamog.Before long, the ghost disappeared into a thick fog.This sentence uses multo to describe a spirit disappearing into fog.Tatoeba #11743190 by qwertzu, translation #326652 by CM
- Narinig ko ang boses ng multo sa silid-tulugan.I heard the voice of a ghost in the bedroom.
- Ang aking inaakala ay isang duwende, ngunit matapos kong suriin, ito ay isang multo pala.I thought it was a dwarf, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a ghost.
- Marami na ring nagsasabing nakakita sila ng White Lady sa mga lumang abandoned na building sa Manila.Many people claim to have seen the White Lady in the old abandoned buildings in Manila.
- May nakita akong multo sa lumang bahay.I saw a ghost in the old house.
Example conversation
Angela and Mark are visiting an old house.
- AngelaMark, may multo ba sa bahay na ito?Mark, is there a ghost in this house?
- MarkSabi nila, may multo raw dito noon.They say there used to be a ghost here.
- AngelaNatatakot na ako, tara na.I'm getting scared, let's go.
- MarkHuwag kang mag-alala, hindi sila totoo.Don't worry, they aren't real.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ghost” translations and entries multo, aparisyon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aparisyon, multo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
