Skip to content

bigwas

bigwás with stress marks

sudden jab

noun verb big-WAS Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Bigwas describes a swift, forceful blow or strike — a jab, slash, or sudden hit delivered in combat or out of anger. It appears in martial arts contexts (arnis/eskrima), action narratives, and figurative speech ('a sharp verbal jab'). The word conveys both speed and impact.

Examples

Beginner

" Mabilis ang bigwas niya. "

Natural Translation

His/Her jab was quick.

Literal Translation

Fast the jab his/her.

Intermediate

" Isang bigwas ng itak ang nagpaputol ng lubid. "

Natural Translation

A single slash of the bolo cut the rope.

Literal Translation

A single jab of-the bolo the cut the rope.

Advanced

" Sa eskrima, isang mabilis na bigwas lamang ang kailangan upang matalo ang kalaban na hindi nakahanda. "

Natural Translation

In eskrima, just one swift jab is enough to defeat an unprepared opponent.

Literal Translation

In eskrima, one fast jab only the needed to defeat the opponent that not ready.

Free · iOS & Android

Take Tagalog with you

The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.

Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.

How Tagalog words work

Actor Focus Verbs

Object Focus Verbs

Explore Tagalog by topic

Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.