Usage Note
Dakma implies grabbing with the full hand or in a forceful manner. It is stronger and more aggressive in connotation than 'kuha' (to take) and is used in physical confrontations or urgent situations. Common in literary and dramatic contexts to convey sudden, forceful seizure.
Examples
" Dinakma niya ang aking braso. "
Natural Translation
He grabbed my arm.
Literal Translation
Grabbed his/her the my arm.
" Isang dakma lang ang ginawa niya. "
Natural Translation
He/She just made one quick grab.
Literal Translation
One grab only the did he/she.
" Dinakma ng bantay ang magnanakaw bago pa ito makatakbo palabas ng tindahan dala ang ninakaw. "
Natural Translation
The guard grabbed the thief before he could even run out of the store carrying what he stole.
Literal Translation
Grabbed of-the guard the thief before still it could-run out of store carrying the stolen.
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 workActor 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.
Seasons in the Philippines: A Tagalog Guide
The Philippines has two seasons, not four. Learn tag-araw, tag-ulan, and taglamig, the generative tag- prefix, and the weather vocabulary to match.
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.
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.
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.