“Expensive” in every Philippine language
Expensive across 9 languages, and what the differences tell you.
Last updated
Side by side
| Language | Expensive |
|---|---|
| English | Expensive |
| Tagalog | Mahal |
| Ilocano | Nangina |
| Cebuano | Mahal |
| Hiligaynon | Mahal |
| Waray | Mahal |
| Bikol | Mahal |
| Kapampangan | Maal |
| Pangasinan | Mabli |
What the pattern shows
In Tagalog 'mahal' means both expensive and beloved. Ilocano keeps them apart — 'nangina' for costly, 'ay-ayat' for love — so the pun does not survive translation.
Where they agree
- Mahal — Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Bikol
Standing alone: English (Expensive), Ilocano (Nangina), Kapampangan (Maal) and Pangasinan (Mabli).
More market & money
Where this comes from
This row is one of 84 concept pages drawn from a parallel set of everyday vocabulary held across nine languages. You can browse all of them, download the whole set under CC BY-SA 4.0, or paste text to find out which language it is.
Compiled from published general reference and pending review by native speakers. If something here is wrong in a language you speak, please tell us.