mabaho ka
/maˈbahoʔ ka/word by word
To say "you smell" in Filipino, use mabaho ka.
This phrase is used to inform someone that their body or breath has an unpleasant odor.
Which one should you use?
mabaho ka is the standard, direct way to state that someone smells bad, while mabaho po kayo is the polite version used when speaking to someone of higher status or to show respect.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mabaho ka is an informal and very direct phrase that can be perceived as rude or blunt depending on your tone and the social context. For a more polite approach, use mabaho po kayo.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase mabaho ka, ka is the enclitic pronoun for the singular "you", which typically follows the adjective it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈbahoʔ ka/
Did you know?
- The term baho is frequently used in idioms to describe 'dirty' secrets or scandals, treating a social transgression as if it were a physical odor.
- The word baho is used to describe the strong, pungent scent of fermented fish and shrimp paste, which are actually considered delicious delicacies in the Philippines.
- The pronoun ka in the phrase is a linguistic relative to the pronouns used in languages across Indonesia and Malaysia due to its Proto-Malayo-Polynesian roots.
Examples in context
- Ang inyong amoy ay medyo hindi kanais-nais.Your scent is rather unpleasant.
- Mayroon pong hindi kaaya-ayang amoy ang inyong katawan.There is an unpleasant odor coming from your body.
- Amoy ka talaga!You really stink!
- Ang baho mo!You smell awful!
- Parang may sumisingaw sa katawan mo.It's like something is reeking from your body.
- Mabaho ka dahil hindi ka naligo.You smell because you didn't bathe.
- Mabaho ka pagkatapos mong maglaro.You smell after playing.
- Mabaho ka, palitan mo ang damit mo.You smell, change your clothes.
Example conversation
Juan and Maria are at home after a long day of outdoor activities.
- JuanMabaho ka, Maria.You smell, Maria.
- AngelaPasensya na, ang init kasi.Sorry, it is just so hot.
- JuanMaligo ka na muna.Go take a bath first.
- AngelaSige, gagawin ko na.Okay, I will do it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mabaho, ka) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ka, mabaho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
