kaliwa
/kaliˈwaʔ/
The Tagalog word for left is kaliwa.
kaliwa is used to refer to the west side of the body when one is facing north.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Which one should you use?
The opposite of kaliwa is kanan, which means right.
How does it change in a sentence?
When kaliwa is used as an adjective to modify a noun, you should attach the linker -ng to the end of the word to form kaliwang.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaliˈwaʔ/
Did you know?
- While kaliwa means 'left', in certain colloquial contexts or regional dialects, calling someone 'kaliwa' can imply they are acting 'sideways' or being indirect/deceptive.
- In traditional Filipino beliefs, the kaliwa side of the body was sometimes associated with bad luck or sinister omens.
- The word kaliwa shares an ancestral root with wala, which in modern Tagalog means 'none' or 'nothing'.
Examples in context
- Nasa kaliwa ang labasan.The exit is on the left.This sentence is useful for describing the location of an exit.Tatoeba #8638155 by artemio, translation #8618987 by CK
- Magbubukas ang mga pinto sa kaliwa.The doors on the left will open.This sentence shows how to describe doors located on the left.Tatoeba #8638163 by artemio, translation #8614091 by CK
- Apat lang ang daliri ko sa kaliwang paa.I only have four toes on my left foot.This sentence demonstrates the use of the adjective form kaliwang when modifying a noun.Tatoeba #11585002 by qwertzu, translation #7995727 by BRCoolata
- Gusto kong pumunta sa kaliwang bahagi ng silid-aralan.I want to go to the left side of the classroom.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jose and Angela are walking down a street.
- JoseKumanan tayo sa susunod na kanto.Let's turn right at the next corner.
- AngelaBakit? Akala ko ay sa kaliwa tayo pupunta.Why? I thought we were going to the left.
- JoseNakalimutan ko, nasa kanan pala ang tindahan.I forgot, the store is actually on the right.
- AngelaSige, kumanan tayo.Okay, let's turn right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “left” translations and entries kaliwa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kaliwa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
