Significado
Someone who is very sensitive or emotional.
Contexto cultural
In Filipino culture, being 'mababaw ang luha' is often associated with 'mabuting tao' (a good person) because it shows the person has a 'pusong mamon' (soft, sponge-cake-like heart). Filipino soap operas (teleseryes) rely heavily on the audience being 'mababaw ang luha.' Producers create 'heavy drama' scenes specifically to trigger this emotional response. During 'Balikbayan' (returning Filipino) arrivals at the airport, you will see many people who are 'mababaw ang luha.' It is a socially celebrated display of family love. On TikTok, Filipinos often use the hashtag #MababawAngLuha when sharing content that made them cry, creating a digital community of shared empathy.
Use it for yourself
It's a great way to show humility and emotional honesty when you're moved by something.
Not for deep grief
Don't use it for someone who just lost a loved one; it might sound like you're calling their grief 'shallow.'
Significado
Someone who is very sensitive or emotional.
Use it for yourself
It's a great way to show humility and emotional honesty when you're moved by something.
Not for deep grief
Don't use it for someone who just lost a loved one; it might sound like you're calling their grief 'shallow.'
Pair with 'Kaligayahan'
If you say you have both 'mababaw ang luha' and 'mababaw ang kaligayahan,' you're describing yourself as a very appreciative, emotional person.
Embrace the 'Softness'
In the Philippines, being emotional is often seen as being 'human.' Don't be afraid to use this phrase!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Mababaw ang _____ ni Sarah kaya umiyak siya sa kasal.
The idiom is 'Mababaw ang luha.' While 'puso' (heart) makes sense logically, it is not the standard idiom.
Which sentence correctly describes someone who cries easily?
Piliin ang tamang pangungusap:
'Mababaw' (shallow) is the correct adjective for this idiom.
Match the situation to the most likely response.
Situation: You are watching a sad commercial and start crying. Your friend asks why.
This is the natural way to explain being easily moved by a video.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bakit ka umiiyak? Masaya naman ang balita! B: Pasensya na, ________.
This is a common way to apologize for crying out of joy.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Mababaw vs. Malalim
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMababaw ang _____ ni Sarah kaya umiyak siya sa kasal.
The idiom is 'Mababaw ang luha.' While 'puso' (heart) makes sense logically, it is not the standard idiom.
Piliin ang tamang pangungusap:
'Mababaw' (shallow) is the correct adjective for this idiom.
Situation: You are watching a sad commercial and start crying. Your friend asks why.
This is the natural way to explain being easily moved by a video.
A: Bakit ka umiiyak? Masaya naman ang balita! B: Pasensya na, ________.
This is a common way to apologize for crying out of joy.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasUsually, no. It's more of a descriptive trait. However, like any phrase, it depends on the tone. If said with a sneer, it could be mocking, but 90% of the time, it's affectionate.
Yes! While there's a stereotype that women are more emotional, the phrase is gender-neutral and often used for fathers or grandfathers.
There isn't a single direct idiom, but 'matigas ang loob' (hardened interior) or 'hindi mabilis maiyak' are common ways to describe the opposite.
Probably not. It's a bit too personal and informal for a professional interview unless you're discussing your personality in a very specific, relevant context.
No, it can apply to being moved by beauty, joy, or nostalgia as well.
You can say 'Hindi mababaw ang luha ko' or 'Hindi ako madaling maiyak.'
'Iyakin' is more like 'crybaby.' It's more about the frequency of crying, whereas 'mababaw ang luha' is about the sensitivity that leads to crying.
It's usually for humans, but you could use it jokingly for a pet that seems very sensitive.
It's neutral-informal. You'll hear it in daily conversation and on TV, but not in a legal document.
It's a metaphor. If the 'well' of tears is shallow, the water reaches the top and spills out very quickly.
Frases relacionadas
Mababaw ang kaligayahan
similarEasily pleased or made happy.
Pusong mamon
synonymSoft-hearted.
Iyakin
specialized formCrybaby.
Madaling maantig
similarEasily touched/moved.
Matigas ang loob
contrastStrong-willed or emotionally tough.
