From root: ilaw
Usage Note
Pailaw is commonly used to describe a fireworks show or a public lighting event organized for celebrations like Christmas or New Year.
Examples
" May pailaw sa plaza ngayon. "
Natural Translation
There is a lighting display at the plaza now.
Literal Translation
Has lighting-display in plaza now.
" May magandang pailaw sa plaza kagabi. "
Natural Translation
There was a beautiful lighting display at the plaza last night.
Literal Translation
Has beautiful lighting-display in plaza last-night.
" Tuwing Pasko, dinarayo ng mga turista ang nayon dahil sa magarbong pailaw na nakasabit sa bawat kalye. "
Natural Translation
Every Christmas, tourists flock to the town because of the lavish lighting display hung on every street.
Literal Translation
Every Christmas, flocked-to by-the plural tourist the town because of lavish lighting-display that hung in each street.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
ilaw has 9 related forms built from the same root.
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.

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.

May vs Mayroon vs Meron: Have & There Is
May vs mayroon in Tagalog finally made simple: one rule decides which to use, plus how meron and wala fit the same have and there-is family.

Tagalog Time Expressions: Past, Present & Future Guide
Tagalog has no tenses — it uses aspect. Learn time words, days of the week, clock time, and the aspect system, with vocabulary tables and cultural notes.

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.