Iwasan

Iwasan is a Tagalog verb meaning to avoid, refrain from, or prevent. It is used when directing someone to steer clear of an action, situation, or person, and often appears with the direct object marked by ang or with pronouns such as mo, natin, or niya to indicate the actor or recipient of the instruction. Common constructions include imperative phrases like “Iwasan mo ang …” and declarative statements such as “Dapat iwasan ang sobrang pag-inom.”

Grammatically, iwasan is formed from the root iwas, with the suffix -an to create the infinitive form. It belongs to the set of i-verbs in Filipino grammar, which are typically used to indicate actions directed at something or someone. In everyday use, the verb is frequently paired with objects introduced by ang (the thing to be avoided) and with pronouns to specify who should avoid what. The phrase pag-iwas is nominalized to mean avoidance or prevention and is used in discussions of health, safety, and risk management, as in “pag-iwas sa sakit” or “pag-iwas sa panganib.”

Usage notes include its suitability for formal and informal contexts, safety advisories, and instructional speech. While iwasan focuses on avoidance, its conceptual opposite includes facing or addressing a situation, with verbs such as harapin or tanggapin often serving as contrasts rather than direct antonyms in everyday language.

See also: Tagalog grammar, pag-iwas, i-verb constructions.