Usage Note
Agwa is borrowed from Spanish agua and is an older or regional alternative to the native Tagalog tubig for water. It survives in compound words and in some regional dialects, and is commonly heard in phrases related to plumbing or water supply in older Filipino homes.
Examples
" Walang agwa sa gripo. "
Natural Translation
There's no water from the faucet.
Literal Translation
No water at-the faucet.
" Walang agwa sa gripo ngayong umaga. "
Natural Translation
There is no water from the faucet this morning.
Literal Translation
No water at-the faucet this morning.
" Sa mga lumang bahay sa probinsya, tinatawag pa rin ng mga matatanda na agwa ang tubig na umaagos sa balon. "
Natural Translation
In old houses in the province, the elders still call the water flowing from the well agwa.
Literal Translation
In the old houses in province, called still by-the elders as agwa the water that flowing in well.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.

Filipino Family Words and Honorifics: Ate, Kuya & Tita
Filipino family words like ate, kuya, tita, tito, lolo, and lola go far beyond family — learn how Filipinos use them with strangers, plus mano po etiquette.

Days of the Week and Months in Tagalog
The days of the week and months in Tagalog are Spanish loanwords. Learn all 7 days and 12 months with pronunciation, plus how to say dates and 'every Monday.'

Philippine Christmas Traditions: World's Longest Holiday
Philippine Christmas traditions run four months — from Ber-month carols to Simbang Gabi dawn masses, Noche Buena feasts, and parol lanterns lighting every street.

Tagalog Question Words: Ano, Sino, Saan & More
Tagalog question words like ano, sino, and saan need the right frame to work. Learn the ang-vs-pronoun rule, confusable pairs, and the ba particle with audio.