From root: iyak
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
umiyak
u-mi-YAK
cried
Present (Incomplete)
umiiyak
u-mi-i-YAK
is crying
Future (Contemplated)
iiyak
i-i-YAK
will cry
Usage Note
Umiyak is an actor-focus verb used to describe the act of shedding tears due to emotion or physical pain. It is the most common and versatile way to express the act of crying in daily Tagalog conversation.
Examples
" Umiyak ang sanggol kagabi. "
Natural Translation
The baby cried last night.
Literal Translation
Cried the baby last-night.
" Umiyak siya dahil nawala ang laruan. "
Natural Translation
He cried because his toy was lost.
Literal Translation
Cried he/she because lost the toy.
" Hindi niya napigilang umiyak nang malaman niyang pumasa siya sa mahirap na pagsusulit. "
Natural Translation
She couldn't help but cry when she found out that she passed the difficult exam.
Literal Translation
Not she could-stop-link cry when found-out she-link passed she in difficult-link exam.
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 workWord family
iyak has 7 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.
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.
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 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.
Ang, Ng, Sa: The 3 Tagalog Case Markers Explained
Ang, ng, sa are the three Tagalog case markers every noun takes. Learn what each does, the personal forms si/ni/kay, plurals with mga, and clear examples.