grabe
grabé with stress marks
severe, serious
Usage Note
Grabe comes from Spanish grave and is one of the most versatile colloquial intensifiers in Filipino, expressing extremity whether negative or positive. It is widely used across all ages and social classes in informal speech, functioning much like 'wow' or 'seriously' in English.
Examples
" Grabe ang init ngayon. "
Natural Translation
The heat is intense today.
Literal Translation
Severe the heat now.
" Hindi ito grabe na sugat. "
Natural Translation
This is not a serious wound.
Literal Translation
Not this severe that wound.
" Grabe talaga ang pagsisikap niya sa pag-aaral kaya hindi nakapagtataka na nagtapos siyang may karangalan. "
Natural Translation
His effort in his studies was truly extreme, so it's no surprise that he graduated with honors.
Literal Translation
Severe really the effort his in studying so not surprising that graduated he with honor.
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