hunos-dili
hunos-dilì with stress marks
self-control, calmness, prudence
Usage Note
Hunos-dili is a rare and somewhat archaic term describing inner calm, equanimity, or the composure to hold one's tongue and restrain one's emotions. It is associated with traditional Filipino values of restraint and self-control (related to the concept of hiya). The term appears in formal writing, proverbs, and older literature rather than everyday conversation.
Examples
" Kailangan mo ng hunos-dili. "
Natural Translation
You need self-control.
Literal Translation
Need you of self-control.
" Kailangan natin ng hunos-dili sa usapan. "
Natural Translation
We need calmness in the conversation.
Literal Translation
Need we of calmness in conversation.
" Sa gitna ng matinding galit, ang hunos-dili lamang ang makapagliligtas sa atin sa pagkakasala. "
Natural Translation
In the midst of intense anger, only self-control can save us from wrongdoing.
Literal Translation
In middle of intense anger, the self-control only the can-save to us from wrongdoing.
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.

Is Tagalog Hard to Learn? An Honest Answer
Tagalog takes around 1,100 hours to reach professional proficiency. Here is what is easy, what is hard, and what to expect at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Days of the Week and Months in Tagalog
The days of the week and months in Tagalog are Spanish loanwords. Learn all 7 days and 12 months with pronunciation, plus how to say dates and 'every Monday.'

Tagalog Pronouns Explained: Complete Chart with Examples
Every Tagalog pronoun explained with clear charts: ang/ng/sa forms, tayo vs kami, ikaw vs ka, politeness markers, and the mistakes beginners make.

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.