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taba

tabâ with stress marks

fat; weight gain; fertilizer

noun verb adjective ta-BA Native origin Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Appearance

Usage Note

Tabâ refers to fat or grease and is the root for the adjective mataba, meaning chubby or stout. While it is often used as a neutral descriptive term in Filipino culture, learners should use it carefully as it can be sensitive depending on the tone and relationship.

Examples

Beginner

" Ang taba ng baboy. "

Natural Translation

The pig is fat.

Literal Translation

The fatness of pig.

Intermediate

" Ang taba ng alaga kong pusa. "

Natural Translation

My pet cat is fat.

Literal Translation

The fatness of pet my cat.

Advanced

" Dahil sa sobrang taba ng karne, hindi ko na ito kinain at ibinigay ko na lang sa aso. "

Natural Translation

Because the meat was too fatty, I didn't eat it anymore and just gave it to the dog.

Literal Translation

Because of too-much fat of meat, not I anymore it ate and gave I just to dog.

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How Tagalog words work

Derived Words

mataba DERIVED

fat

katabaan DERIVED

fatness

pataba DERIVED

fertilizer

matataba DERIVED

fat (plural)

taba-taba DERIVED

chubby

Actor Focus Verbs

tumaba AF VERB

to get fat

Object Focus Verbs

patabain OF VERB

to fatten

tabaan OF VERB

to add fat to

patabaan OF VERB

to fertilize

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