patay-gutom
starving or extremely poor
From root: patay
Usage Note
Patay-gutom is a derogatory compound word used to describe someone who is gluttonous or acts desperately due to poverty.
Examples
" Huwag kang kumain nang patay-gutom. "
Natural Translation
Don't eat like you're starving.
Literal Translation
Do-not you eat in-a-manner starving.
" Huwag kang magmukhang patay-gutom. "
Natural Translation
Don't look like you are starving.
Literal Translation
Do not you look starving.
" Kahit gutom na gutom na, hindi siya kumakain nang patay-gutom dahil maganda ang kanyang pagkatao. "
Natural Translation
Even when very hungry, he doesn't eat greedily because he has good manners.
Literal Translation
Even hungry very already, not he eating in-a-manner starving because good the his character.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
patay has 11 related forms built from the same root.
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.

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.

Tagalog Pronouns Explained: Complete Chart with Examples
Every Tagalog pronoun explained with clear charts: ang/ng/sa forms, tayo vs kami, ikaw vs ka, politeness markers, and the mistakes beginners make.

Ang, Ng, Sa: The 3 Tagalog Case Markers Explained
Ang, ng, sa are the three Tagalog case markers every noun takes. Learn what each does, the personal forms si/ni/kay, plurals with mga, and clear examples.

Philippine Christmas Traditions: World's Longest Holiday
Philippine Christmas traditions run four months — from Ber-month carols to Simbang Gabi dawn masses, Noche Buena feasts, and parol lanterns lighting every street.