tiwakal
tiwakâl with stress marks
suicide; to commit suicide
Usage Note
Tiwakal is a formal and literary Tagalog term for suicide, more common in written language, news reporting, and formal discourse than in casual speech. In conversation, Filipinos often use circumlocutions or the borrowed term 'suicide'; sensitivity is essential when using this word.
Examples
" Malungkot ang balita ng tiwakal. "
Natural Translation
The news of the suicide is sad.
Literal Translation
Sad the news of suicide.
" May tiwakal na nangyari sa lumang bahay. "
Natural Translation
A suicide happened in the old house.
Literal Translation
Has suicide that happened in-the old house.
" Mahalagang humingi ng tulong agad dahil ang tiwakal ay maaaring maiwasan kung may makikinig sa nahihirapan. "
Natural Translation
It is important to seek help right away because suicide can be prevented if someone listens to the person who is struggling.
Literal Translation
Important seek of help immediately because the suicide can be-avoided if has listen to struggling.
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.
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.
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.
Tagalog Slang Guide: 20 Words You'll Hear on TikTok
Tagalog slang explained: lodi, petmalu, werpa, astig, chika and more. Decode Filipino TikTok comments, group chats, and pop culture with this practical guide.
Tagalog Word Order: Sentence Structure Made Simple
Why Tagalog puts the verb first, and how ang, ng, and sa markers work. A clear guide to VSO word order, forming questions, and negation.