diyos
/diˈos/
The Tagalog word for God is diyos. Wiktionary also lists bathala.
Meaning: deity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| diyos | /diˈos/ (Standard Tagalog) /diˈos/ |
| bathala | /batˈhalaʔ/ (Standard Tagalog) |
The term is used to refer to a deity.
Which one should you use?
diyos is the standard term for a deity and is derived from the Spanish Dios. bathala refers specifically to the supreme deity in pre-colonial Philippine mythology.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Panginoon is the formal term for God in Tagalog and is often used as a title for God, similar to 'Lord' in English. Maykapal is a more formal or poetic way to refer to God, literally meaning 'the one who created'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Among certain indigenous groups, the term Lumikha is used to refer to the creator or divine being.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the word 'diyos' plural, add the marker 'mga' before it.
How do you pronounce it?
/diˈos/
Did you know?
- If you use the word bathala, you are invoking a term that likely traveled from ancient India through the Sanskrit word bhaṭṭāra, meaning 'revered' or 'worshipful'.
- In traditional Filipino folk beliefs, the concept of bathala evolved from a supreme creator to a more distant figure as Spanish Catholicism introduced the word diyos.
- The word bathala shares a surprising distant relationship with the Indonesian/Malay word berhala, which in modern contexts often refers to an 'idol'.
Examples in context
- Patay na ang Diyos.God is dead.This sentence uses diyos to express a philosophical statement.Tatoeba #11574878 by qwertzu, translation #10354571 by Seael
- May Diyos nga talaga.Indeed God exists.This sentence uses diyos to express a belief in the existence of a deity.Tatoeba #11459586 by qwertzu, translation #2093295 by gleki
- Sumamba siya sa Diyos.He worshiped God.This sentence uses diyos to describe an act of worship.Tatoeba #11789565 by qwertzu, translation #8247470 by Amastan
- Panginoon, gabayan mo po kami sa aming mga gawain.Lord, guide us in our endeavors.
- Pinapasalamatan ko ang Maykapal sa lahat ng biyaya.I thank God for all the blessings.
- Naniniwala ako sa Diyos, at nagdarasal ako araw-araw.I believe in God, and I pray every day.
- Dalangin ko na gabayan tayo ng Poong Maykapal sa lahat ng ating mga hakbang.I pray that God guides us in all our steps.
- Pinasasalamatan namin ang Lumikha sa kagandahang ibinigay sa kalikasan.We thank the Creator for the beauty bestowed upon nature.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juan and Angela are talking about their spiritual beliefs.
- JuanNaniniwala ka ba sa Diyos?Do you believe in God?
- AngelaOo, nananalangin ako sa Kanya.Yes, I pray to Him.
- JuanMabuti ang Diyos sa atin.God is good to us.
- AngelaTotoo iyan, Juan.That is true, Juan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God” translations and entries diyos, bathala, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bathala, diyos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
