hilahil
hiláhil with stress marks
hardship, tribulation
Usage Note
Hilahil is a somewhat literary or poetic word for suffering, hardship, or prolonged tribulation — conveying sustained difficulty rather than a sudden crisis. It is found in classical Tagalog literature, prayers, and formal speeches reflecting on life's struggles.
Examples
" Maraming hilahil sa buhay. "
Natural Translation
There are many hardships in life.
Literal Translation
Many hardships in life.
" Sa kabila ng lahat ng hilahil, nanatiling matatag ang pamilya. "
Natural Translation
Despite all the hardships, the family remained strong.
Literal Translation
In-spite-of all the hardships, remained strong the family.
" Sa kabila ng matinding hilahil na kanilang dinaanan, hindi nawalan ng pag-asa ang mag-anak na patuloy pa ring nagsusumikap. "
Natural Translation
Despite the severe hardships they went through, the family did not lose hope and kept on striving.
Literal Translation
In-spite-of of severe hardship that their passed-through, not lost of hope the family that continued still also striving.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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