Mahabang

Mahabang is a Filipino adjective meaning long or lengthy. It is used to describe the extent, duration, or size of something, typically preceding the noun it modifies to indicate length.

Etymology and form: Mahabang derives from the root haba, meaning length. The prefix ma- forms an attributive descriptor, and the form mahabang is used before a noun to express that the noun possesses length. The corresponding opposite form can be maikli or maikling, meaning short.

Usage notes: In everyday Filipino, mahabang is commonly placed directly before the noun it describes, as in mahabang ilog (long river), mahabang daan (long road), or mahabang biyahe (long journey). It can also describe duration, as in mahabang araw (a long day) or mahabang oras (a long time). When describing a noun with multiple adjectives, word order tends to follow natural rhythm and emphasis, but mahabang typically remains immediately before the noun.

Related forms: Other related adjectives include mahaba (the base form meaning long, used in predicate position) and maikli/maikling (short). The root haba is a common source for length-related terms in Filipino.

See also: Haba (length), maikling (short), mahaba (long). In broader linguistic terms, mahabang is part of Tagalog adjectives that use the prefix ma- to express a state or quality.

In summary, mahabang is the standard Tagalog attributive form meaning long, used before nouns to indicate length or duration, and it forms part of a broader system of descriptive adjectives in Filipino.