From root: lihim
Usage Note
Palihim is used to describe an action done in a stealthy or covert manner to avoid being caught.
Examples
" Palihim siyang umalis. "
Natural Translation
He left secretly.
Literal Translation
Secretly he left.
" Kumain siya nang palihim. "
Natural Translation
He/She ate secretly.
Literal Translation
Ate he/she in-a-manner secretly.
" Palihim na inihanda ng mga bata ang sorpresa para sa kaarawan ng kanilang ina. "
Natural Translation
The children secretly prepared the surprise for their mother's birthday.
Literal Translation
Secretly link prepared of-the plural child the surprise for the birthday of their mother.
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
lihim has 4 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 Pronouns Explained: Complete Chart with Examples
Every Tagalog pronoun explained with clear charts: ang/ng/sa forms, tayo vs kami, ikaw vs ka, politeness markers, and the mistakes beginners make.
Philippines Geography for Learners: Islands & Language
Philippines geography for Tagalog learners: 7,641 islands, three island groups, and the Southern Luzon heartland where the Tagalog language was born.
Is Tagalog Hard to Learn? An Honest Answer
Tagalog takes around 1,100 hours to reach professional proficiency. Here is what is easy, what is hard, and what to expect at 3, 6, and 12 months.
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.