ngilabot
ngilabót with stress marks
goosebump; a person who is intensely feared
Usage Note
Ngilabot covers two related meanings: the physical sensation of goosebumps triggered by fear or cold, and — by extension — a person so terrifying they cause that reaction in others. Calling someone a 'ngilabot' is a vivid way to say they are deeply intimidating.
Examples
" Nakaramdam ako ng ngilabot. "
Natural Translation
I felt goosebumps.
Literal Translation
Felt I of goosebumps.
" Isang matinding ngilabot ang naramdaman ko sa madilim na pasilyo. "
Natural Translation
I felt intense goosebumps in the dark hallway.
Literal Translation
One intense goosebumps the felt I in dark hallway.
" Habang isinasalaysay ng matanda ang kuwento ng multo sa lumang bahay, hindi maiwasan ang ngilabot sa likod ng aming mga leeg. "
Natural Translation
As the old man told the story of the ghost in the old house, the goosebumps on the back of our necks could not be avoided.
Literal Translation
While telling by-the elder the story of ghost in old house, not able-to-avoid the goosebumps at back of our necks.
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.
Tagalog Verb Conjugation: Aspects Made Simple
Tagalog verb conjugation uses aspects, not tenses. Learn the three aspects with -um- and mag- verbs, one reduplication rule, and clear example tables.
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.
Magkano: How to Ask "How Much" in Tagalog
Magkano means how much in Tagalog. Learn to ask a price, tell it apart from ilan and gaano, sound polite with po, and haggle at the palengke.
Tagalog Numbers 1-100: Counting, Time & Money Explained
Learn Tagalog numbers 1-100 and beyond. Master both native and Spanish-derived counting systems, plus telling time, reading prices, and ordinals.