Usage Note
Onda is borrowed from Spanish 'onda', meaning wave or ripple, and is used in physics contexts such as radio waves and sound waves. In Filipino youth slang, onda can informally mean vibe or cool, reflecting its evolution beyond the literal scientific meaning.
Examples
" Mabilis ang onda ng tunog. "
Natural Translation
The sound wave is fast.
Literal Translation
Fast the wave of sound.
" Gumamit ng onda ang radyo upang magpadala ng signal. "
Natural Translation
The radio used a wave to send a signal.
Literal Translation
Used of wave the radio to send of signal.
" Ipinakita sa eksperimento kung paano dumadaloy ang onda ng tubig sa lawa tuwing may hangin na umiihip mula sa silangan. "
Natural Translation
The experiment showed how the water wave flows across the lake whenever there is wind blowing from the east.
Literal Translation
Shown in experiment how flows the wave of water in lake whenever has wind that blowing from east.
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 Root Words: Learn a Few Hundred, Understand Thousands
Tagalog root words unlock vocabulary fast: learn a few hundred and recognize thousands. Real word families, examples, and a practical study strategy.

How to Say "I Love You" in Tagalog: Phrases & Meaning
Learn how to say I love you in Tagalog. Mahal kita, Iniibig kita, and Filipino terms of endearment for partners, family, and friends — with cultural notes.

Days of the Week and Months in Tagalog
The days of the week and months in Tagalog are Spanish loanwords. Learn all 7 days and 12 months with pronunciation, plus how to say dates and 'every Monday.'

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.