lalaki

Lalaki is a term used in Tagalog (Filipino) to mean a man or male person. In everyday Filipino, it is the standard noun for an adult male, with the feminine counterpart being babae (woman). The word can also describe masculine traits when used as an adjective or in compounds.

In Indonesian and Malay, the cognate form is laki-laki, written as two words, meaning man or male. The base form laki appears as a root meaning male, while pria is also commonly used as a more formal synonym in official language and media.

Etymology and regional variation: The forms share a common Austronesian origin; spelling and usage differ by language and register. Laki-laki is common in casual Indonesian and Malay speech, while pria is preferred in formal writing or media. In Filipino, lalaki is common in everyday speech and general reference to men.

Usage notes: In Tagalog, lalaki is used to refer to men or to the male gender in general. In Indonesian and Malay, laki-laki covers the same meaning in everyday conversation, with pria occupying a more formal or polite niche. Across the languages, these terms function to denote adult male persons and are contrasted with terms for women (babae in Filipino; perempuan or wanita in Indonesian/Malay).