kabilaan
has two sides
Usage Note
Kabilaan is derived from kabila (other side) with the -an suffix and describes something that has two distinct sides. It is used in carpentry, fabric, and everyday descriptions of objects with a clear front and back, and also figuratively for a person or situation with two contrasting aspects.
Examples
" Kabilaan ang damit na ito. "
Natural Translation
This garment is double-sided.
Literal Translation
Two-sided the garment this.
" Ang tela na ito ay kabilaan — maganda sa magkabilang dako. "
Natural Translation
This fabric is double-sided — it's beautiful on both sides.
Literal Translation
The cloth this is two-sided — beautiful on both sides.
" Dahil kabilaan ang kumot, magagamit mo ito sa magkabilang dako depende sa kulay na gusto mo. "
Natural Translation
Because the blanket is double-sided, you can use it on either side depending on the color you want.
Literal Translation
Because two-sided the blanket, usable you it on both side depending on color that want you.
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.

Tagalog Affixes Explained: A Beginner's Guide to Word Building
Tagalog affixes turn one root word into dozens of meanings. Learn prefixes, infixes, suffixes, and circumfixes with clear examples for beginners.

Ng vs Nang in Tagalog: The Spelling Rule
Ng vs nang sound identical but spell differently. Use ng to mark nouns (of, the object), and nang for how, when, repetition, and counting time.

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.

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.