From root: haba
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
humaba
hu-ma-BA
became long
Present (Incomplete)
humahaba
hu-ma-ha-BA
becoming long
Future (Contemplated)
hahaba
ha-ha-BA
will become long
Usage Note
Humaba is used to describe things that naturally or situationally increase in length over time, such as hair growing or a queue getting longer. It is also frequently used in figurative contexts, like a conversation or a story becoming unexpectedly extended.
Examples
" Humaba ang buhok ko. "
Natural Translation
My hair got long.
Literal Translation
Became-long the hair my.
" Nagsimulang humaba ang buhok ng bata. "
Natural Translation
The child's hair started to become long.
Literal Translation
Started become-long the hair of child.
" Habang naghihintay kami sa labas, humaba ang pila hanggang sa umabot na ito sa kanto. "
Natural Translation
While we were waiting outside, the line grew longer until it reached the corner.
Literal Translation
While waiting we at outside, became-long the line until reached already it at corner.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
haba has 8 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.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Tagalog?
Survival Tagalog takes ~3-4 weeks and comfortable conversation 6-12 months. FSI's 1,100 hours is the professional bar, not the talking-to-family bar.

How to Say "I Love You" in Tagalog: Phrases & Meaning
Learn how to say I love you in Tagalog. Mahal kita, Iniibig kita, and Filipino terms of endearment for partners, family, and friends — with cultural notes.

Tagalog Verb Focus System Explained (It's Not Active vs. Passive)
The Tagalog verb focus system isn't active vs. passive. Learn actor focus, object focus, and more with clear examples that finally make it click.

Tagalog Numbers 1-100: Counting, Time & Money Explained
Learn Tagalog numbers 1-100 and beyond. Master both native and Spanish-derived counting systems, plus telling time, reading prices, and ordinals.