basa
/ˈbasa/
The Filipino word for wet is basa.
The word basa is an adjective used to describe an object that is covered with or impregnated with liquid.
Meaning: of an object: covered with or impregnated with liquid (adj)
Which one should you use?
In written Tagalog, the word basa can mean both 'wet' and 'read' depending on the stress. 'wet' has a glottal stop or stress on the first syllable, while 'read' has stress on the second.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form basain is the causative form, meaning to make something wet. The form nabasa is used to describe the state of having become wet (e.g., 'I got wet in the rain').
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbasa/
Did you know?
- The version of basa meaning 'read' was borrowed from the Malay word baca, which originally came from the Sanskrit word vācā.
- Filipino uses the same spelling for 'wet' and 'read', but distinguishes them using a glottal stop, a sound produced by closing the vocal folds.
Examples in context
- Bakit basa si Tom?Why is Tom wet?This sentence uses basa to ask why a person is wet.Tatoeba #8658441 by artemio, translation #2549584 by CK
- Bakit ang basa mo?Why are you so wet?This sentence uses basa to ask why someone is wet.Tatoeba #13649525 by kangkong, translation #7544898 by CK
- Parang basa ang bato.The rock feels wet.This sentence uses basa to describe a rock that feels wet.Tatoeba #11447967 by qwertzu, translation #1811730 by Dejo
- Ma'am, basâ po ang inyong mga damit.Ma'am, your clothes are wet
- Ang mga kalsada ay basâ dahil sa ulan.The streets are wet due to the rain
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jose and Christina are talking in the living room after a rainstorm.
- JoseChristina, bakit basa ang sahig?Christina, why is the floor wet?
- ChristinaNaiwan ko kasi ang baso sa sahig.I accidentally left a glass on the floor.
- JoseMag-ingat ka baka madulas ka.Be careful, you might slip.
- ChristinaSalamat, Jose. Papunasan ko na agad.Thanks, Jose. I will wipe it up right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wet” translations and entries basa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
