Usage Note
Hukay refers to a hole dug into the ground, most commonly a grave. It also appears in construction and agricultural contexts to mean a ditch or excavation pit. The word carries solemn connotations when used in burial contexts and is central to traditional Filipino funeral vocabulary.
Examples
" Malalim ang hukay na ito. "
Natural Translation
This pit is deep.
Literal Translation
Deep the pit that this.
" Malalim ang hukay sa lupa. "
Natural Translation
The pit in the ground is deep.
Literal Translation
Deep the pit in-the ground.
" Bago ilibing ang yumao, naghukay muna sila ng malalim na hukay sa tabi ng punong mangga. "
Natural Translation
Before burying the deceased, they first dug a deep grave beside the mango tree.
Literal Translation
Before bury the deceased, dug first they of deep that grave at-the side of tree mango.
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 workRelated 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.
Tagalog vs Filipino: What's the Difference & Which to Learn
Tagalog and Filipino aren't the same language — but they overlap almost completely. Here's the real difference and which one you should actually learn.
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.
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.