mahal
mahál with stress marks
love; expensive
Usage Note
Mahal carries two everyday senses. It names someone dear to you — mahal ko is the ordinary term of endearment — and it is also the standard word for expensive, heard constantly when bargaining in local markets. Its antonym in that second sense is mura (cheap).
Examples
" Mahal kita. "
Natural Translation
I love you.
Literal Translation
Loved by-me you.
" Mahal ko ang pamilya ko. "
Natural Translation
I love my family.
Literal Translation
Loved by-me the family my.
" Napakamahal na ng mga bilihin ngayon kaya napipilitan kaming mamili sa palengke kaysa sa malalaking tindahan. "
Natural Translation
Goods are so expensive now that we are forced to shop at the wet market rather than at the big stores.
Literal Translation
Very-expensive already of plural goods now so forced we-link shop in market than in big-link store.
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