plema
pléma with stress marks
phlegm
Usage Note
Plema is the standard term for phlegm and is frequently used when describing symptoms of a cough or cold. It is most commonly heard in the phrase 'may plema' to indicate that someone has chest congestion or a productive cough.
Examples
" May plema ang bata. "
Natural Translation
The child has phlegm.
Literal Translation
Have phlegm the child.
" Ang hirap ilabas ng plema. "
Natural Translation
It is hard to cough up phlegm.
Literal Translation
The hard to-bring-out of phlegm.
" Ayon sa doktor, ang makapal na plema ay tanda na hindi pa tuluyang gumagaling ang baga niya. "
Natural Translation
According to the doctor, the thick phlegm is a sign that her lungs have not fully recovered yet.
Literal Translation
According to-the doctor, the thick phlegm is sign that not yet fully recovering the lungs her.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workDerived Words
Object Focus Verbs
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.

Mano Po and Filipino Etiquette: A Visitor's Guide
Mano po presses an elder's hand to your forehead as a blessing. Learn who to mano, how to lip-point, and the etiquette that wins over a Filipino family.

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 Question Words: Ano, Sino, Saan & More
Tagalog question words like ano, sino, and saan need the right frame to work. Learn the ang-vs-pronoun rule, confusable pairs, and the ba particle with audio.

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.