Usage Note
Bulig is a regional Tagalog name for the mudfish (dalag), a freshwater fish known for its ability to survive in muddy, oxygen-poor water and even crawl short distances on land. It is a popular food fish in rural areas, often cooked in sinigang or paksiw. The fish's hardiness makes it a symbol of resilience in folk speech.
Examples
" Masarap ang sinigang na bulig. "
Natural Translation
Mudfish sinigang is delicious.
Literal Translation
Delicious the sinigang of mudfish.
" Nahuli ang tatay ng maraming bulig sa ilog. "
Natural Translation
Father caught many mudfish in the river.
Literal Translation
Caught the father many mudfish in-the river.
" Tinuruan ako ng lolo kung paano humuli ng bulig sa putikang sapa gamit lamang ang kamay. "
Natural Translation
Grandfather taught me how to catch mudfish in the muddy creek using only my hands.
Literal Translation
Taught me the grandfather how to-catch of mudfish in muddy creek using only the hands.
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.

Magkano: How to Ask "How Much" in Tagalog
Magkano means how much in Tagalog. Learn to ask a price, tell it apart from ilan and gaano, sound polite with po, and haggle at the palengke.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Tagalog?
Survival Tagalog takes ~3-4 weeks and comfortable conversation 6-12 months. FSI's 1,100 hours is the professional bar, not the talking-to-family bar.

Tagalog Pronouns Explained: Complete Chart with Examples
Every Tagalog pronoun explained with clear charts: ang/ng/sa forms, tayo vs kami, ikaw vs ka, politeness markers, and the mistakes beginners make.

Tagalog Verb Conjugation: Aspects Made Simple
Tagalog verb conjugation uses aspects, not tenses. Learn the three aspects with -um- and mag- verbs, one reduplication rule, and clear example tables.