tagpas
tagpás with stress marks
a slash; to slash
Usage Note
Tagpas refers to a swift, cutting slash with a blade. It is used in contexts involving cutting through vegetation, combat, or craft work, and carries a sense of decisive, clean action. It appears in historical narratives, folk stories, and agricultural contexts where machetes and bladed tools are used.
Examples
" Isang tagpas lang ito. "
Natural Translation
This is just one slash.
Literal Translation
One slash only this.
" Isang tagpas lang ang ginawa niya. "
Natural Translation
He/she only made one slash.
Literal Translation
One slash only the made he/she.
" Sa isang malakas na tagpas ng itak, natabas niya ang mga damong humaharang sa daan. "
Natural Translation
With one strong slash of the bolo, he cut down the weeds blocking the path.
Literal Translation
In one strong slash of bolo, cut-down he the weeds blocking on path.
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
Object Focus Verbs
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Tagalog Time Expressions: Past, Present & Future Guide
Tagalog has no tenses — it uses aspect. Learn time words, days of the week, clock time, and the aspect system, with vocabulary tables and cultural notes.
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 Focus System Explained (It's Not Active vs. Passive)
The Tagalog verb focus system isn't active vs. passive. Learn actor focus, object focus, and more with clear examples that finally make it click.
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.