hikbi
híkbi with stress marks
sob
Usage Note
Hikbi refers to the act of sobbing, marked by repeated catching of the breath while crying. More specific than general crying words, it emphasizes the broken, heaving quality of deep emotional weeping and appears in both literary texts and everyday speech.
Examples
" Narinig ko ang kanyang hikbi. "
Natural Translation
I heard her sobbing.
Literal Translation
Heard I the her sob.
" Narinig ng lahat ang hikbi ng bata sa likod ng pinto. "
Natural Translation
Everyone heard the child's sobbing behind the door.
Literal Translation
Heard by-all the sob of-the child behind the door.
" Sa katahimikan ng gabi, ang mahihinang hikbi ng bata ang tanging tunog na pumupukaw sa puso ng kanyang ina. "
Natural Translation
In the quiet of the night, the child's faint sobs were the only sound that stirred the heart of his mother.
Literal Translation
In the quiet of-the night, the faint sobs of-the child the only sound that stirred the heart of his mother.
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
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Ang, Ng, Sa: The 3 Tagalog Case Markers Explained
Ang, ng, sa are the three Tagalog case markers every noun takes. Learn what each does, the personal forms si/ni/kay, plurals with mga, and clear examples.
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.
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 Slang Guide: 20 Words You'll Hear on TikTok
Tagalog slang explained: lodi, petmalu, werpa, astig, chika and more. Decode Filipino TikTok comments, group chats, and pop culture with this practical guide.