“Pity” in Tagalog: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Translating the English word pity into Tagalog isn’t as straightforward as looking up a dictionary entry and calling it a day. In English, pity can mean “sympathy,” “compassion,” or even a slightly condescending “what a shame.” Tagalog, however, offers a palette of words—awa, habag, malasakit—each carrying its own shade of emotion and cultural nuance. In this article, you’ll learn:

• The core Tagalog terms for pity and how they differ
• Fixed phrases (expressions figées) that native speakers use
• Common idioms and sentence examples
• Pitfalls to avoid when expressing pity in Tagalog
• Practical exercises to build your confidence

Ready to dive in? Let’s get you from “I pity you” to inaawa kita—and beyond.

1. Core Vocabulary: Three Shades of Pity

1. Awa
   • The most general Tagalog equivalent of pity, often meaning “sympathy” or “compassion.”
   • Usage: “I pity the flood victims” → Inaaawa ko ang mga nasalanta ng baha.
2. Habag
   • A deeper, more solemn feeling of compassion—sometimes translated as “mercy.”
   • Usage: “May God have mercy on their souls” → Na­­wa’y maawa ang Diyos sa kanilang mga kaluluwa.
3. Malasakit
   • Literally “bad feeling,” but idiomatically “concern,” “care,” or “compassion.”
   • Usage: “She feels pity for her neighbors” → May malasakit siya sa kanyang mga kapitbahay.

—By understanding these three pillars, you’ll be able to choose the term that fits your intention most precisely.

2. Awa vs. Habag: Nuance and Context

Awa (Compassionate Sympathy)

• Broadly applied to human suffering, natural disasters, even fictional tragedies.
• Tone: Friendly, empathetic, straightforward.

Examples:

• Inaaawa ko siya dahil sa sakit niya. (“I pity him because of his illness.”)
• Nakakaawa ang mga batang lansangan. (“The street children are so pitiful.”)

Habag (Solemn Compassion, Mercy)

• Carries a spiritual or moral undertone—closer to “mercy.”
• Often appears in prayers or solemn statements.

Examples:

• Habag ka naman, Panginoon. (“Have mercy, Lord.”)
• Kahabag-habag ang kanilang kalagayan. (“Their plight is truly pitiable.”)

Tip: If you’re writing a heartfelt prayer, song lyrics, or a formal speech, habag lends gravity. For everyday empathy, stick with awa.

3. Fixed Phrases (Expressions Figées)

Tagalog has a handful of ready-made bundles that native speakers use without thinking twice:

• awa ng Diyos — “God’s mercy” Example: “Awa ng Diyos, ligtas silang nakauwi.” (“By God’s mercy, they returned home safely.”)

• inaawa kita — “I pity you” Example: “Inaawa kita sa pinagdaanan mo.” (“I pity you for what you went through.”)

• nakakaawa — “pitiable,” “poignant” Example: “Nakakaawa ang kanyang sitwasyon.” (“His situation is truly pitiful.”)

• kahabag-habag — “heart-rending,” “deeply pitiable” Example: “Kahabag-habag ang kalagayan ng mga nasalanta.” (“The plight of the victims is heartrending.”)

These expressions figées help you slot in Tagalog emotion without reinventing the wheel.

4. Grammar Spotlight: Affixes and Constructions

Using Awa as a Verb

• Root: awa
• Affixes: inaawa, kaawaan, inaawan

Examples:

1. Inaawa (active):
   • Inaawa ko ang mga biktima. (“I pity the victims.”)
2. Kaawaan (passive command):
   • Kaawaan mo siya, pakiusap ko. (“Please pity him/her.”)
3. Pagkawaan (nominalization):
   • Ang pagkawaan ng mahihirap (“The pity shown to the poor”)

Expressing “What a pity”

• English: What a pity!
• Tagalog: Nakakaawa naman! or Sayang! (for “what a shame”)

Example:

Sumampa sa finals, pero tinamaan ng lagnat—nakakaawa naman!

5. Pity vs. Empathy: Don’t Get Tripped Up

In English, pity and empathy sometimes blur. Tagalog keeps them distinct:

• Pity (awa) A feeling of compassion for someone, often from a perceived higher ground.
• Empathy (pakikiramay) A sense of shared emotion—walking in their shoes.

To say “I sympathize with you”:

Nakikiramay ako sa iyong pagkawala.

To say “I pity you”:

Inaaawa kita sa iyong kalagayan.

—Choosing between these words can dramatically shift the tone of your message.

6. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

1. Overusing “awa” Too much awa risks sounding condescending. Balance with sincere gestures or actions.
2. Mixing “aza” and “aza” Be careful not to confuse awa with aloha-style “aloha” in Taglish jokes!
3. Literal Taglish “I feel pity for you” → “Nararamdaman ko ang pity sa iyo” is awkward. Stick with inaawa kita or nakikiramay ako.
4. Neglecting context Formal letter? Choose habag. Casual chat? awa works wonders.

7. Practical Exercises

• Role-Play Partner A: “I just lost my job.” Partner B: “Inaawa kita—ano ang maitutulong ko?”

• Journal Prompt Write five sentences describing people or situations you pity today. Use at least two different Tagalog terms.

• Idiom Swap Replace English pity idioms with Tagalog:

1. “I feel for you” → Nakikiramay ako.
2. “Poor thing” → Nakakaawa naman.

8. Adding Handwritten Flair: Typography Tips

To make your writing feel like a personal note, try:

— Italics for emphasis—inaawa kita, nakakaawa — Em-dashes—for subtle asides— “Sinabi niya—inaawa ko siya—pero hindi tumulong.” — Uneven spacing— “ka awa an mo” — Handwritten-style bullets (•) to mimic a notebook list

These micro-flourishes create intimacy, as if you’re whispering your insights straight to a friend.

Conclusion

Translating pity into Tagalog goes beyond a one-word swap. By choosing among awa, habag, and malasakit, leaning on fixed phrases like awa ng Diyos or nakakaawa, and mastering key affixes, you’ll capture the full spectrum of compassion—from gentle sympathy to solemn mercy. Remember the idiom: actions speak louder than words—or in Tagalog, higit pa sa salita ang gawa. So go ahead—inaawa mo na? Better yet, magsimula ka nang tumulong.