hinga
hingá with stress marks
breath
Usage Note
Hinga refers to the physical act of breathing, but it is also the root for words like 'pahinga' (rest), highlighting the connection between breathing and relief. You will often hear it in the verb form 'huminga' or in common phrases like 'malalim na hinga' (deep breath).
Examples
" Huminga ka nang malalim. "
Natural Translation
Take a deep breath.
Literal Translation
Breathe you of deep.
" Isang malakas na hinga ang ginawa niya. "
Natural Translation
He/She took one strong breath.
Literal Translation
One strong breath the did he/she.
" Kapag kinakabahan ka, magandang huminga nang malalim para humupa ang takot at gumaan ang pakiramdam. "
Natural Translation
When you're nervous, it's good to breathe deeply so that the fear subsides and you feel lighter.
Literal Translation
When nervous you, good to-breathe of deep so subside the fear and lighten the feeling.
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 workDerived Words
Actor Focus Verbs
Object Focus Verbs
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
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 Root Words: Learn a Few Hundred, Understand Thousands
Tagalog root words unlock vocabulary fast: learn a few hundred and recognize thousands. Real word families, examples, and a practical study strategy.
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.
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.