halimaw
/haˈlimaw/
The English word "monster" is halimaw in Tagalog.
The term refers to a terrifying and dangerous creature. In a colloquial sense, halimaw can also describe a person who is exceptionally skilled or dominant in a certain field, similar to how English speakers might use the terms "beast" or "monster" in sports slang.
Meaning: terrifying dangerous creature (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the noun halimaw plural, you add the marker mga before it to form mga halimaw.
How do you pronounce it?
/haˈlimaw/
Did you know?
- The Tagalog word halimaw actually traces its roots back to the Malay word harimau, which means 'tiger'.
- The concept of a 'monster' in the Philippines often overlaps with aswang, a specific class of mythical creatures that differs from the general halimaw.
- Because of the influence of Spanish colonialism, some Filipinos might use the loanword monstruo in very formal or literary contexts instead of halimaw.
Examples in context
- Maniwala ka man o hindi, may lumabas na halimaw mula sa kuweba.Believe it or not, a monster emerged from the cave.This sentence shows how to use halimaw to describe a creature emerging from a cave.Tatoeba #11658566 by qwertzu, translation #268831 by CK
- Nagpumiglas si Lukas upang makawala sa pagkakahawak sa kanya ng halimaw.Lukas struggled to break free from the monster’s grip.This sentence uses halimaw to describe a creature's grip on someone.Tatoeba #11742985 by qwertzu, translation #11647001 by Amastan
- Sa pelikulang "Forbidden Planet," may halimaw na nanggaling sa panaginip ng tao.In the film "Forbidden Planet," there is a monster who comes from people's subconscious.This sentence uses halimaw to describe a creature from a film.Tatoeba #3852725 by nonong, translation #8748649 by fishda
- Lumalabas ang mga aswang sa gabi para manghiganti.Aswangs come out at night to seek revenge.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mark and Jasmine are watching a scary movie.
- MarkNakakatakot ang halimaw sa pelikula!The monster in the movie is scary!
- JasmineOo, masyadong malaki ang mga ngipin nito.Yes, its teeth are too big.
- MarkSaan kaya galing ang halimaw na iyon?I wonder where that monster came from?
- JasmineSiguro ay galing ito sa kailaliman ng dagat.Maybe it came from the depths of the sea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monster” translations and entries halimaw, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries halimaw, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
