mabaho
/maˈbahoʔ/
The English phrase 'stink' is translated into Tagalog as mabaho.
mabaho is used to describe something that has a strong bad smell.
Meaning: have a strong bad smell (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix ma-, which indicates an abundance of a quality and the root baho, meaning smell or odor, literally meaning 'having a bad smell'.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the English word 'stink' is a verb, the Tagalog word mabaho functions as an adjective meaning 'stinky' or 'bad smelling'.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈbahoʔ/
Did you know?
- The phrase ibunyag ang baho literally means 'to reveal the stink' but is used to describe exposing someone's dirty secrets.
- While mabaho is for general stinks, Tagalog has a specific word maanta just for the smell of stale or old food.
- Tagalog emphasizes extreme smells by repeating the word in the phrase mabaho na mabaho to mean 'incredibly stinky'.
Examples in context
- Mabaho ang kilikili niya.His armpits stink.Tatoeba #12149760 by qwertzu, translation #11784075 by Pacific
- Mabaho ba ako?Do I stink?Tatoeba #2832098 by mervert1, translation #2245266 by CK
- Ang baho ng basura!The garbage stinks!
- Mabaho ang basurahan sa labas.The trash can outside stinks.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ricardo and Jasmine are in the kitchen.
- JasmineRicardo, mabaho ang kusina.Ricardo, the kitchen stinks.
- RicardoPasensya na, Jasmine, may nabubulok sa loob.I'm sorry, Jasmine, there is something rotting inside.
- JasmineLinisin mo agad iyan.Clean that up immediately.
- RicardoSige, gagawin ko na ngayon.Okay, I will do it now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mabaho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
