napakaganda
The Tagalog word for gorgeous is napakaganda.
Napakaganda is used to describe someone or something that is very beautiful. Depending on the context, other words may be more appropriate: Gwapo is used for men to complement physical attractiveness, while Maganda is used for women to complement physical attractiveness. To express beauty alongside awe or admiration in a formal setting, you might use Kahanga-hanga.
Meaning: very beautiful (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix napaka-, which means 'very' and the root ganda, which means 'beauty' or 'beautiful'.
Which one should you use?
While maganda is the standard way to say 'beautiful', napakaganda intensifies the meaning to 'very beautiful' or 'gorgeous'. For a more poetic or formal way to say someone is exquisitely beautiful, you can use napakarikit.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Metro Manila, the term Bongga is used to describe something as extravagant or fabulous.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using napakaganda immediately before a noun, you must add the linker -ng to the end of the word, resulting in napakagandang (for example, napakagandang babae for a gorgeous woman).
Did you know?
- While napakaganda describes beauty, the slang term bongga originates from the word bombastic and describes something so gorgeous it is extravagant.
- In the Philippines, the concept of beauty often includes ganda ng loob, which describes a person who is gorgeous because of their inner kindness and character.
- The root ganda is used in the phrase maganda ang gising, which literally means 'woke up beautiful' but actually means someone is in a great mood.
Examples in context
- Una sa lahat, napakaganda ng iyong suot na damit!First of all, your outfit looks gorgeous!
- Grabe, sobrang ganda nung bagong restawran na binuksan sa kanto natin!Wow, the newly opened restaurant in our neighborhood looks extremely gorgeous!
- Napakaganda ng tanawin dito.The view here is gorgeous.
- Napakaganda ng suot mong damit.The dress you are wearing is gorgeous.
- Napakaganda ng boses niya.Her voice is gorgeous.
Example conversation
Jose and Maria are walking through a flower garden.
- JoseNapakaganda ng mga bulaklak dito, Maria.The flowers here are gorgeous, Maria.
- MariaOo, napakaganda talaga ng paligid.Yes, the surroundings are truly gorgeous.
- JoseGusto mo bang kumuha ng litrato?Do you want to take a photo?
- MariaSige, Jose, salamat!Sure, Jose, thank you!
