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maitim

black; dark-complexioned

adjective ma-i-TIM DERIVED Less Common
Illustration of the root word "itim" (black)
Illustration from root: itim

From root: itim

Usage Note

Maitim is the standard adjective for the color black, formed with the ma- prefix on itim, and is also widely used to describe a dark complexion in a neutral, descriptive sense. It applies across contexts from hair and clothing to weather and skin tone without inherently negative connotation in everyday Filipino speech.

Examples

Beginner

" Maitim ang buhok niya. "

Natural Translation

Her hair is black.

Literal Translation

Black the hair her.

Intermediate

" Maitim ang ulap bago umulan. "

Natural Translation

The clouds are dark before it rains.

Literal Translation

Dark the cloud before raining.

Advanced

" Kahit maitim na ang langit at malapit nang umulan, nagpatuloy pa rin sila sa paglalaro sa labas. "

Natural Translation

Even though the sky was already dark and it was about to rain, they still kept playing outside.

Literal Translation

Even-though dark already the sky and near already rain, continued still they in playing at outside.

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Word family

itim has 7 related forms built from the same root.

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