silaw
sílaw with stress marks
glare; to be dazzled or blinded by light
Usage Note
Silaw is used for the blinding, disorienting effect of intense light — sunlight, headlights, or a flash. Figuratively it can describe being dazzled or overwhelmed by beauty, fame, or wealth, similar to 'blinded by the spotlight' in English.
Examples
" Sobrang silaw ng araw. "
Natural Translation
The sun is very glaring.
Literal Translation
Very glare of-the sun.
" Nakaramdam siya ng silaw dahil sa ilaw ng sasakyan. "
Natural Translation
He/she felt glare because of the car's light.
Literal Translation
Felt he/she of glare because of light of car.
" Halos hindi makita ng tsuper ang daan dahil sa silaw ng nakasalubong na trak na hindi nagbaba ng mataas nitong ilaw. "
Natural Translation
The driver could barely see the road because of the glare from the oncoming truck that did not lower its high beams.
Literal Translation
Almost not see by-the driver the road because of-the glare of-the oncoming truck that not lowered of high its light.
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 workActor Focus Verbs
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Na vs -ng in Tagalog: The Linker Rule Made Simple
When do you use na vs -ng in Tagalog? One simple rule, with clear examples, memory tips, and common mistakes explained for English-speaking beginners.
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.
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.
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.