maikli
The English word short is translated into Tagalog as maikli.
maikli is a way to say short in Tagalog to describe something short in length.
Meaning: abrupt, brief, pointed, petulant (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use maikli for length or duration, but use pandak specifically to describe a person's short stature. While pandak refers to a person's stature, mababa is used for objects or things that are low or short in height, such as a fence or a building. The term kapos can be used to describe someone as short on something, often in a figurative sense indicating a lack of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
When maikli is used to modify a noun directly, the linker -ng is attached to the end of the word.
Did you know?
- While maikli describes physical length, the word pandak is used for people and carries a much more blunt or even slightly insulting tone than the English word 'short'. It is best used with caution in polite conversation.
- The word maikli is built from the root ikli and the prefix ma-. This prefixing system is a fundamental part of how many Tagalog adjectives are formed to indicate a state or quality.
- If you use maikli to describe a person's height, a Tagalog speaker will likely think you are talking about the length of a specific body part, like an arm or hair, rather than their overall stature.
Examples in context
- Mahaba ang taynga't maikli ang buntot ng kuneho.A rabbit has long ears and a short tail.This sentence uses maikli to describe the length of a rabbit's tail.Tatoeba #1875477 by nonong, translation #2117 by Zifre
- Nagsulat si Tom ng isang maikling kuwento tungkol sa isang batang babae at ang kanyang aso.Tom wrote a short story about a young girl and her dog.This sentence uses maikli in the form maikling to modify the word for story.Tatoeba #11774726 by qwertzu, translation #5418379 by CK
- Mahaba ba o maikli ang daan?Is the road short or long?This sentence uses maikli to ask about the length of a road.Tatoeba #2782069 by mervert1, translation #1209995 by Sibelius
- Ang maikling kalsadaThe short road
- May maikling buhokHas short hair
- Siya ay pandakHe/she is short
- Ang pandak na bataThe short child
- Napakakapos ng orasTime is very short
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Angela is upset with Ricardo's blunt reply.
- AngelaBakit masyadong maikli ang sagot mo?Why is your answer too short?
- RicardoWala lang, pagod lang ako.Nothing, I'm just tired.
- AngelaParang galit ka dahil maikli ka sumagot.It seems like you're angry because you're answering briefly.
- RicardoPasensya na, Angela.I'm sorry, Angela.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maikli, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
