itim
itím with stress marks
black
Usage Note
Itim is the noun for the color black, while the adjective form 'maitim' is used to describe objects or skin complexions. It is the most natural way to describe something as being dark in color in daily conversation.
Examples
" Itim ang sapatos ko. "
Natural Translation
My shoes are black.
Literal Translation
Black the shoes my.
" Nakita ko ang itim na pusa. "
Natural Translation
I saw the black cat.
Literal Translation
Saw I the black cat.
" Sa libing, nakasanayan nang magsuot ng itim bilang tanda ng pagdadalamhati para sa namatay. "
Natural Translation
At funerals, it has become customary to wear black as a sign of mourning for the deceased.
Literal Translation
At funeral, accustomed already to-wear of black as sign of mourning for the deceased.
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.
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.
Tagalog Question Words: Ano, Sino, Saan & More
Tagalog question words like ano, sino, and saan need the right frame to work. Learn the ang-vs-pronoun rule, confusable pairs, and the ba particle with audio.
Magkano: How to Ask "How Much" in Tagalog
Magkano means how much in Tagalog. Learn to ask a price, tell it apart from ilan and gaano, sound polite with po, and haggle at the palengke.
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.'