Skip to content

ulos

ulós with stress marks

long spearlike pointed weapon

noun u-LOS Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Ulos refers to a traditional Filipino thrusting weapon — a long, pointed spear or stake used in pre-colonial and rural contexts. It appears in historical accounts of indigenous warfare, in folk literature, and occasionally in descriptions of fishing or hunting tools. The word is also used colloquially to refer to any pointed stick or pole used for prodding.

Examples

Beginner

" Matalim ang ulos ng mangangaso. "

Natural Translation

The hunter's spear is sharp.

Literal Translation

Sharp the spear of hunter.

Intermediate

" Ginamit ng mga mandirigma ang ulos sa labanan. "

Natural Translation

The warriors used spears in battle.

Literal Translation

Used the warriors the spear in-the battle.

Advanced

" Bago dumating ang mga baril, ang ulos ang pangunahing sandata ng mga mandirigma sa pakikidigma. "

Natural Translation

Before guns arrived, the spear was the warriors' main weapon in warfare.

Literal Translation

Before arrived the guns, the spear the main weapon of warriors in warfare.

Free · iOS & Android

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 work

Explore Tagalog by topic

Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.