ahas
/ˈʔahas/
The English word "snake" is translated into Tagalog as ahas.
ahas is a noun used to refer to a legless reptile.
Meaning: legless reptile (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔahas/
Did you know?
- In some Philippine folklore, a ahas is not just an animal but can be a shape-shifting entity or a guardian of hidden treasures.
- In Tagalog, calling someone an ahas is a common metaphor for a traitor or a backstabber, similar to calling someone a 'snake' in English.
- The spelling of ahas in Tagalog is actually the result of a linguistic process called metathesis, where sounds within a word swap places.
Examples in context
- Lumamon ng palaka ang ahas.The snake swallowed a frog.This sentence shows the ahas as the subject performing an action.Tatoeba #11460835 by qwertzu, translation #265649 by CK
- Naglagas ng balat ang ahas.The snake shed its skin.This sentence describes a biological process involving the ahas.Tatoeba #11788923 by qwertzu, translation #3756494 by Lindoula
- Ang ahas ay gumagapang sa lupa.The snake is crawling on the ground.
- Ayaw kong makakita ng sawa dahil takot ako.I don't want to see a snake because I'm scared.
- May malaking uod sa likod ng bahay namin, baka ahas yun!There's a big worm at the back of our house, it might be a snake!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking in a garden.
- AngelaMay nakita akong ahas doon!I saw a snake there!
- MarkNasaan ang ahas na iyon?Where is that snake?
- AngelaSa ilalim ng malaking puno.Under the big tree.
- MarkMag-ingat ka, Angela.Be careful, Angela.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries ahas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
