pandak
pandák with stress marks
short
Usage Note
Pandak is a blunt way to describe someone's short stature and can sometimes sound overly direct or teasing depending on the tone. It is rarely used for objects, where "mababa" or "maikli" are preferred instead.
Examples
" Pandak siya pero malakas. "
Natural Translation
He's short but strong.
Literal Translation
Short he but strong.
" Huwag mong kantiyawan ang pandak. "
Natural Translation
Don't tease the short person.
Literal Translation
Don't you tease the short-person.
" Bagama't pandak siya kumpara sa ibang manlalaro, napatunayan niyang hindi sukatan ng husay ang taas ng katawan. "
Natural Translation
Even though he is short compared to the other players, he proved that body height isn't a measure of skill.
Literal Translation
Although short he compared to other player, proved he-that not measure of skill the height of body.
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 vs Filipino: What's the Difference & Which to Learn
Tagalog and Filipino aren't the same language — but they overlap almost completely. Here's the real difference and which one you should actually learn.
Tagalog Slang Guide: 20 Words You'll Hear on TikTok
Tagalog slang explained: lodi, petmalu, werpa, astig, chika and more. Decode Filipino TikTok comments, group chats, and pop culture with this practical guide.
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 Time Expressions: Past, Present & Future Guide
Tagalog has no tenses — it uses aspect. Learn time words, days of the week, clock time, and the aspect system, with vocabulary tables and cultural notes.