Ilocano Adjectives and Describing Words with Tagalog Translations
26 describing things in Ilocano, each with its Tagalog equivalent and an English gloss. Entries come from our phrasebook, compiled from published references rather than produced by the translation engine. Each has been checked against more than one source.
Describing things
Size, temperature, condition and quality.
| Ilocano | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Dakkel | Malaki | Big |
| Bassit | Maliit | Small |
| Atiddog | Mahaba | Long |
| Ababa | Maikli | Short |
| Nalawa | Malawak | WideCognates. |
| Akikid | Makitid | Narrow |
| Napuskol | Makapal | Thick |
| Naingpis | Manipis | Thin |
| Nadagsen | Mabigat | Heavy |
| Nabara | Mainit | Warm / hot |
| Nalamiis | Malamig | ColdNalam-ek is the other common Ilocano form. |
| Napno | Puno | Full |
| Baro | Bago | NewCognates. Ilocos Norte's Batac and the barong shirt share this root. |
| Daan | Luma | Old (of things)A false friend: Tagalog daan means 'road' or 'hundred'. |
| Naimbag | Mabuti | GoodNasayaat is the other common form. This is the word in every Ilocano greeting. |
| Dakes | Masama | Bad |
| Narugit | Marumi | Dirty |
| Nalinteg | Tuwid | Straight |
| Nagtimbukel | Bilog | Round |
| Natadem | Matalas | Sharp |
| Nabasa | Basa | WetWatch this one: Tagalog basa is both 'wet' and 'to read', told apart by stress. |
| Namaga | Tuyo | Dry |
| Umno | Tama | Correct |
| Adu | Marami | Many |
| Amin | Lahat | All |
| Sabali | Iba | Other / different |
More Ilocano word lists
- Ilocano Greetings12
- Ilocano Polite Words and Phrases9
- Ilocano Phrases for When You Do Not Understand9
- Ilocano Numbers37
- Ilocano Days, Months and Time Words29
- Ilocano Food and Eating Words37
- Ilocano Market and Money Words13
- Ilocano Directions and Travel Words24
- Ilocano Emergency and Health Phrases15
- Ilocano Family and People Words15
- Ilocano Colours9
- Ilocano Months of the Year12
- Ilocano Words for Getting Around17
- Ilocano Words for Somewhere to Stay15
- Ilocano Words for Things to Buy21
- Ilocano Words for Drinks8
- Ilocano Words for Officials and Trouble8
- Ilocano Words for Parts of the Body22
- Ilocano Words for Animals10
- Ilocano Words for Nature and Weather26
- Ilocano Everyday Verbs35
- Ilocano Question Words10
Sources
- Ilocano phrasebook — Wikivoyage. Accessed 2026-07-26.
- 52 Useful Ilocano Words & Phrases to Learn for Travelers — Chill and Travel. Accessed 2026-07-26.