gutay-gutay
torn into shreds
Usage Note
Gutay-gutay is a reduplicated form intensifying the idea of being shredded or ripped apart, used for physical objects like cloth or paper as well as figuratively for a person's emotions or reputation. The reduplication signals a thorough, complete state rather than a partial one.
Examples
" Gutay-gutay na ang lumang papel. "
Natural Translation
The old paper is torn to shreds.
Literal Translation
Torn-to-shreds already the old paper.
" Ang damit ay gutay-gutay. "
Natural Translation
The clothes are torn into shreds.
Literal Translation
The clothes are torn-into-shreds.
" Matapos ang malakas na bagyo, gutay-gutay na ang bubong ng mga bahay at nagkalat ang basurang tangay ng hangin. "
Natural Translation
After the strong storm, the roofs of the houses were torn to shreds and trash carried by the wind was scattered everywhere.
Literal Translation
After the strong storm, torn-to-shreds already the roof of-the houses and scattered the trash carried by-the wind.
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 workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
How to Say Sorry in Tagalog: Patawad vs Pasensya
How to say sorry in Tagalog: patawad, pasensya na, and paumanhin compared on a simple severity-and-formality ladder so you pick the right word every time.
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.
Tagalog Affixes Explained: A Beginner's Guide to Word Building
Tagalog affixes turn one root word into dozens of meanings. Learn prefixes, infixes, suffixes, and circumfixes with clear examples for beginners.
Tagalog Time Expressions: Past, Present & Future Guide
Tagalog has no tenses — it uses aspect. Learn time words, days of the week, clock time, and the aspect system, with vocabulary tables and cultural notes.