magdambuhala
to act like a giant
From root: dambuhala
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nagdambuhala
nag-dam-bu-ha-LA
acted like a giant
Present (Incomplete)
nagdadambuhala
nag-da-dam-bu-ha-LA
acting like a giant
Future (Contemplated)
magdadambuhala
mag-da-dam-bu-ha-LA
will act like a giant
Usage Note
Magdambuhala is used to describe someone acting in a monstrous, overwhelming, or destructive manner, often for dramatic effect or in literary contexts. It stems from the word for 'giant' or 'sea monster,' emphasizing a sense of chaotic or imposing behavior.
Examples
" Nagdambuhala ang alon kagabi. "
Natural Translation
The waves raged like a giant last night.
Literal Translation
Acted-like-giant the wave last-night.
" Maaaring magdambuhala ang alon sa dagat. "
Natural Translation
The waves in the sea might act like a giant.
Literal Translation
Possible act-like-giant the wave at sea.
" Kapag nagdadambuhala na ang bagyo, mas mabuting manatili sa loob ng bahay kaysa makipagsapalaran sa labas. "
Natural Translation
When the storm is raging like a giant, it is better to stay inside the house than to take chances outside.
Literal Translation
When acting-like-giant already the storm, more better to-stay in inside of house than to-take-chances at outside.
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 workWord family
dambuhala has 2 related forms built from the same root.
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Spaced Repetition for Tagalog: How Flashcards Make Words Stick
Cramming Tagalog vocabulary fails. See how spaced repetition — the science behind smart flashcards — makes words stick for the long term.
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.
Tagalog vs Filipino: What's the Difference & Which to Learn
Tagalog and Filipino aren't the same language — but they overlap almost completely. Here's the real difference and which one you should actually learn.
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.