mangkukulam
/maŋkuˈkulam/
The Tagalog word for "witch" is mangkukulam. Wiktionary also lists mananagisama.
Meaning: person who uses magic (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| mangkukulam | /maŋkuˈkulam/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| mananagisama |
A witch is defined as a person who uses magic.
What does it mean word for word?
The word mangkukulam is formed from the root word kulam, meaning sorcery or a spell and the prefix mang-, which denotes a person who performs a specific action. Literally, it means "one who uses magic/spells".
How do you pronounce it?
/maŋkuˈkulam/
Did you know?
- While mangkukulam is the general term, some regions distinguish them from the mambabarang, a more powerful practitioner who allegedly uses insects to attack victims.
- In Filipino culture, a mangkukulam is often believed to cause illness or harm from a distance using a doll or a piece of the victim's clothing, rather than using a cauldron or a broom.
- While mangkukulam refers to a practitioner of sorcery, a different term, aswang, is often used in popular culture to describe a much more terrifying, shape-shifting creature.
Examples in context
- Ang matandang mangkukulam ay nakatira sa bundok.The old witch lives in the mountain.
- Narinig ko ang kuwento tungkol sa isang mangkukulam.I heard a story about a witch.
- Takot ang mga bata sa mangkukulam.The children are afraid of the witch.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a scary movie they watched.
- ChristinaNakakatakot ang mangkukulam sa pelikula.The witch in the movie is scary.
- MarkOo, nakakagulat ang kanyang kapangyarihan.Yes, her power is startling.
- ChristinaAkala ko ay totoong mangkukulam siya.I thought she was a real witch.
- MarkHindi, pelikula lang iyon.No, that was just a movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “witch” translations and entries mangkukulam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
