bata
/ˈbataʔ/
In Tagalog, the word for kid is bata.
bata is the most common and versatile term used to refer to a kid or a child.
Meaning: child (colloq.) (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bata is the standard term for a kid, the phrase batang-bata is an informal way to refer specifically to a very young child or someone who is behaving in a childish manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form (kids or children), place the marker mga before the word, resulting in mga bata.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbataʔ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful with the stress pattern when speaking. Using a different stress pattern can change the meaning of the word in some contexts, but bata (child) follows the standard pronunciation.
Did you know?
- Changing the stress on bata can change the meaning entirely. While bata means 'child', placing the stress on the first syllable transforms it into a word for a 'housecoat' or 'dressing gown'.
- In some contexts, bata is used to describe a protégé or a subordinate who is under the protection of a powerful person, regardless of their actual age.
- The word bata might share a distant ancestor with the Sanskrit word vatsa, which also means 'offspring' or 'child'.
Examples in context
- Mahinang bata si Tom.Tom is a delicate kid.This sentence shows how to describe a kid as being delicate using bata.Tatoeba #11773500 by qwertzu, translation #8367283 by CK
- Matalas ang pandinig ng bata.The kid has a keen sense of hearing.This sentence uses bata to describe a kid with a keen sense of hearing.Tatoeba #11834242 by qwertzu, translation #47543 by CK
- Umiyak yung bata nang ilang oras.That kid kept crying for hours.This sentence illustrates a situation where a kid was crying for a long time using bata.Tatoeba #1653992 by nonong, translation #47540 by CK
- Ang mga bata ay ang pag-asa ng ating bayan.Children are the hope of our nation.
- Kamusta, anak? Kumain ka na ba?Hello, kid! Have you eaten yet?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ricardo and Angela are watching children play in a park.
- RicardoAng daming bata rito.There are so many kids here.
- AngelaOo, masaya silang maglaro.Yes, they are happy playing.
- RicardoNakakapagod ba silang bantayan?Is it tiring to watch them?
- AngelaMinsan, pero masaya rin.Sometimes, but it is also fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kid” translations and entries bata, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
