gagambá
The English word "spider" is gagambá in Tagalog. Wiktionary also lists álalawa and pitik.
Meaning: arthropod (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| gagambá | |
| álalawa | |
| pitik | /piˈtik/ (Standard Tagalog) /ˈpitik/ (Standard Tagalog) |
The term refers to the arthropod known as a spider.
Which one should you use?
gagambá is the standard and most common word used in everyday conversation. The pack also provides álalawa and pitik as other forms for spider.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the word gagambá plural, add the marker mga before it to form mga gagambá.
Did you know?
- In some Filipino superstitions, spotting a gagambá inside your home is viewed as a positive omen that guests are coming or that good fortune is on the way.
- The term pitik for 'spider' is actually a description of the specific gesture people often use to kill or remove them by flicking them away.
- The word pitik is not just a noun for a spider, but also the name of a traditional Filipino game centered on the action of flicking pieces with fingers.
Examples in context
- Sa loob ng bahay, may nakita akong gagamba.Inside the house, I saw a spider.
- May malaking gagambá sa sulok.There is a big spider in the corner.
- Natatakot ako sa gagambá.I am afraid of the spider.
- Nakakita ako ng gagambá sa garden.I saw a spider in the garden.
Example conversation
Christina and Mark are cleaning the living room.
- ChristinaMark, tingnan mo itong gagambá!Mark, look at this spider!
- MarkNasaan? Nakakatakot naman iyan.Where is it? That is scary.
- ChristinaNasa sulok lang siya ng pader.It is just in the corner of the wall.
- MarkAlisin mo na iyan agad.Please remove it immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spider” translations and entries pitik, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
