Skip to content

kabulukan

corruption; decay

noun ka-bu-lu-KAN DERIVED Less Common

From root: bulok

Usage Note

Kabulukan is an abstract ka- nominalization of bulok that applies equally to physical decay of organic matter and to moral or institutional corruption. Its use in political discourse is pervasive in the Philippines, where kabulukan sa gobyerno is a stock phrase in journalism and protest rhetoric.

Examples

Beginner

" Maraming kabulukan sa lungsod. "

Natural Translation

There is much corruption in the city.

Literal Translation

Much corruption in city.

Intermediate

" Dapat nating labanan ang kabulukan sa gobyerno. "

Natural Translation

We should fight against corruption in the government.

Literal Translation

Should we fight the corruption in the government.

Advanced

" Lumabas ang mga mamamayan sa lansangan upang ipaglaban ang katotohanan at labanan ang kabulukan sa gobyerno. "

Natural Translation

The citizens took to the streets to fight for the truth and battle the corruption in the government.

Literal Translation

Came-out the (plural) citizen on street so-that fight-for the truth and battle the corruption in government.

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

Word family

bulok has 4 related forms built from the same root.

See all

Explore Tagalog by topic

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