siyam-siyam
siyám-siyám with stress marks
long-lasting monsoon rain
Usage Note
Siyam-siyam is a reduplicated form of siyam, meaning nine, and poetically describes the prolonged rains of the Philippine monsoon season that seem to stretch on without end. It is a folk meteorological term used in rural communities and reflects the deep Filipino familiarity with the rhythms of the rainy season.
Examples
" Umulan nang siyam-siyam. "
Natural Translation
It rained for days on end.
Literal Translation
Rained the long-lasting-monsoon-rain.
" Malamig dahil sa siyam-siyam. "
Natural Translation
It is cold because of the long-lasting monsoon rain.
Literal Translation
Cold because of long-lasting monsoon rain.
" Dahil sa siyam-siyam na walang tigil, baha ang mga kalsada at hindi makapasok sa paaralan ang mga bata. "
Natural Translation
Because of the relentless monsoon rains, the roads were flooded and the children could not get to school.
Literal Translation
Because of long-lasting-monsoon-rain without stop, flooded the roads and not can-enter to school the children.
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.
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.
Seasons in the Philippines: A Tagalog Guide
The Philippines has two seasons, not four. Learn tag-araw, tag-ulan, and taglamig, the generative tag- prefix, and the weather vocabulary to match.
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.
Po and Opo in Tagalog: Where to Put Them Right
Po and opo confuse learners — but placement follows one rule. Where po goes in a sentence, why it's opo not 'oo po', and the pronoun shift to learn.