otoridad
otorídad with stress marks
authority; people in control
Usage Note
Otoridad is a Spanish loanword commonly used to refer to government officials, law enforcement, or institutional powers collectively. It is a high-frequency word in news reports and public announcements, reflecting the Filipino public's constant engagement with governing bodies.
Examples
" Tumawag sila sa otoridad. "
Natural Translation
They called the authorities.
Literal Translation
Called they to-the authority.
" Iginagalang nila ang otoridad ng batas. "
Natural Translation
They respect the authority of the law.
Literal Translation
Respect they the authority of law.
" Kailangang isumbong sa otoridad ang nangyaring krimen upang maagapan ang anumang panganib sa komunidad. "
Natural Translation
The crime that happened must be reported to the authorities so that any danger to the community can be prevented.
Literal Translation
Must be-reported to-the authority the having-happened crime so-that be-prevented the any danger in community.
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.

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.

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.

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.

Spaced Repetition for Tagalog: How Flashcards Make Words Stick
Cramming Tagalog vocabulary fails. See how spaced repetition — the science behind smart flashcards — makes words stick for the long term.