lait
laít with stress marks
insult; vilification
Usage Note
Lait refers to verbal humiliation or belittling — putting someone down through words, mockery, or public shaming. It is a serious social offense in Filipino culture where hiya (shame) plays an important role. Mambabastos and manlalait are terms for someone who habitually insults others.
Examples
" Sumakit ang loob ko sa lait. "
Natural Translation
The insult hurt my feelings.
Literal Translation
Hurt the inside my at insult.
" Masama ang lait. "
Natural Translation
The insult is bad.
Literal Translation
Bad the insult.
" Hindi madaling kalimutan ang lait ng kapwa lalo na kung ginawa ito sa harap ng maraming tao. "
Natural Translation
It's not easy to forget another person's insult, especially when it's done in front of many people.
Literal Translation
Not easy forget the insult of fellow especially if done this in front of many people.
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 workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
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.
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.
Languages of the Philippines: Tagalog, Cebuano, and More
Languages of the Philippines: one national language (Filipino) plus 180+ regional languages. Here's who speaks what, where, and why it matters to you.
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.