hirang
hírang with stress marks
choice; chosen one
Usage Note
Hirang carries a sense of deliberate, honorable selection — being chosen or elected for a distinguished role. It appears in political, religious, and literary contexts: 'ang hirang ng bayan' (the people's chosen one). It is more elevated in register than the everyday 'piliin' (to choose).
Examples
" Ikaw ang hirang ng bayan. "
Natural Translation
You are the people's chosen one.
Literal Translation
You the chosen-one of-the nation.
" Siya ang aking hirang. "
Natural Translation
He/She is my chosen one.
Literal Translation
He/She the my chosen-one.
" Bilang hirang ng kanyang henerasyon, mabigat ang pananagutang ipinatong sa kanyang mga balikat. "
Natural Translation
As the chosen one of his/her generation, the responsibility placed on his/her shoulders is heavy.
Literal Translation
As chosen-one of his/her generation, heavy the responsibility placed on his/her shoulders.
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
Object Focus Verbs
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Tagalog Verb Conjugation: Aspects Made Simple
Tagalog verb conjugation uses aspects, not tenses. Learn the three aspects with -um- and mag- verbs, one reduplication rule, and clear example tables.
Na vs -ng in Tagalog: The Linker Rule Made Simple
When do you use na vs -ng in Tagalog? One simple rule, with clear examples, memory tips, and common mistakes explained for English-speaking beginners.
Tagalog Word Order: Sentence Structure Made Simple
Why Tagalog puts the verb first, and how ang, ng, and sa markers work. A clear guide to VSO word order, forming questions, and negation.
Mano Po and Filipino Etiquette: A Visitor's Guide
Mano po presses an elder's hand to your forehead as a blessing. Learn who to mano, how to lip-point, and the etiquette that wins over a Filipino family.