tangay
tangáy with stress marks
to carry away; snatch away
Usage Note
Tangay describes a swift, forceful removal — often used when the wind, water, or a person carries something off without warning. It can be used literally (a wave sweeping something away) or figuratively (being swept up by emotion or circumstance).
Examples
" Tinangay ng hangin ang papel. "
Natural Translation
The wind carried the paper away.
Literal Translation
Carried-away by-the wind the paper.
" Mabilis ang tangay ng aso sa buto. "
Natural Translation
The dog's snatching of the bone was fast.
Literal Translation
Fast the snatching of dog to bone.
" Halos tangayin ng malakas na alon ang mga bata kaya mabuti na lamang at agad silang nailigtas ng tagapagligtas. "
Natural Translation
The strong waves nearly swept the children away, so it's a good thing the lifeguard rescued them right away.
Literal Translation
Almost carry-away by-the strong wave the children so good only that immediately they were-rescued by-the lifeguard.
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.

Philippines Geography for Learners: Islands & Language
Philippines geography for Tagalog learners: 7,641 islands, three island groups, and the Southern Luzon heartland where the Tagalog language was born.

Filipino Family Words and Honorifics: Ate, Kuya & Tita
Filipino family words like ate, kuya, tita, tito, lolo, and lola go far beyond family — learn how Filipinos use them with strangers, plus mano po etiquette.

How to Say Sorry in Tagalog: Patawad vs Pasensya
How to say sorry in Tagalog: patawad, pasensya na, and paumanhin compared on a simple severity-and-formality ladder so you pick the right word every time.

Tagalog Root Words: Learn a Few Hundred, Understand Thousands
Tagalog root words unlock vocabulary fast: learn a few hundred and recognize thousands. Real word families, examples, and a practical study strategy.