Meaning
Referring to items with high market prices.
Cultural Background
The 'Tingi' culture is a direct response to 'mahal na bilihin.' People buy in small sachets because they cannot afford the bulk price. During Christmas, the 'Noche Buena' basket is a major topic of 'mahal na bilihin' discussions in the news. The price of rice is the ultimate barometer for 'mahal na bilihin.' If rice is expensive, the whole country feels it. Filipinos often use humor and memes to cope with 'mahal na bilihin,' often joking about eating 'asin' (salt) instead of meat.
Use it for small talk
Complaining about 'mahal na bilihin' is a great way to start a conversation with a Filipino neighbor.
Don't use for people
Never say 'mahal na bilihin' when talking about a person's value; it's strictly for market goods.
Meaning
Referring to items with high market prices.
Use it for small talk
Complaining about 'mahal na bilihin' is a great way to start a conversation with a Filipino neighbor.
Don't use for people
Never say 'mahal na bilihin' when talking about a person's value; it's strictly for market goods.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct linker.
Mahal ___ bilihin sa palengke.
Because 'mahal' ends in 'l' (a consonant), we use the linker 'na.'
Which sentence is the most natural way to complain about prices?
You are at a grocery store and see that milk is very expensive.
This is the most common idiomatic way to express the sentiment.
Match the Filipino phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are essential vocabulary for shopping.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bakit konti lang ang binili mo? B: Kasi ________.
The context implies a reason related to price.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Mahal vs Mura
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMahal ___ bilihin sa palengke.
Because 'mahal' ends in 'l' (a consonant), we use the linker 'na.'
You are at a grocery store and see that milk is very expensive.
This is the most common idiomatic way to express the sentiment.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are essential vocabulary for shopping.
A: Bakit konti lang ang binili mo? B: Kasi ________.
The context implies a reason related to price.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsIt is neutral. It can be used in both formal news reports and casual market conversations.
Yes, 'Ang mahal ng bilihin' is actually more common in spoken Tagalog.
Related Phrases
mura
contrastcheap
implasyon
specialized forminflation
presyong ginto
synonymgold-like prices
bilihin
builds oncommodities
