Usage Note
Batas refers to the formal laws or regulations set by an authority or the government. In daily life, it is frequently used when discussing legal rights, social justice, or compliance with official rules.
Examples
" Bago ang batas na ito. "
Natural Translation
This law is new.
Literal Translation
New the law that this.
" Ang batas ay dapat sundin. "
Natural Translation
The law must be obeyed.
Literal Translation
The law should be followed.
" Maraming tao ang nagprotesta sa lansangan dahil naniniwala silang hindi makatarungan ang bagong batas na ipinasa ng kongreso. "
Natural Translation
Many people protested in the streets because they believed the new law passed by congress was unjust.
Literal Translation
Many people the protested in street because believe they not just the new law that passed by congress.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workDerived Words
Actor Focus Verbs
Object Focus Verbs
Related 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.

Is Tagalog Hard to Learn? An Honest Answer
Tagalog takes around 1,100 hours to reach professional proficiency. Here is what is easy, what is hard, and what to expect at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Tagalog Word Order: Sentence Structure Made Simple
Why Tagalog puts the verb first, and how ang, ng, and sa markers work. A clear guide to VSO word order, forming questions, and negation.

Filipino Food: 12 Essential Dishes (With Tagalog Names)
Filipino food, from adobo to halo-halo: learn the Tagalog names, pronunciations, and ingredients behind 12 dishes you'll want to try on your first trip.