laban

laban (uncountable)

1. (uncommon) Alternative form of leban.
   • 2023 November 24, Chloe Mac Donnell, “Why the humble hispi cabbage is the new cauliflower steak”, in The Guardian‎^[1], →ISSN:

     At Akub in Notting Hill, chef Fadi Kattan does a modern take on the traditional Palestinian dish, malfouf with laban, showcasing grilled hispi with garlic yoghurt and pomegranate.

• Alban, Balan, Blaan, Nabal, alban, banal, labna, nabal, nabla

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laban (“opponent; to oppose; to fight”). While the root meaning of "opposition" is shared with Tagalog, the Cebuano usage has evolved into a specifically defensive and supportive context.

• IPA^(key): /ˈlaban/ [ˈl̪a.bɐn̪]

laban (Badlit spelling ᜎᜊᜈ᜔)

1. To defend; to come to someone's aid or defense.

   Labanan gyod nako ang akong igsoon.

   I will definitely defend my sibling.

2. To take sides with; to favor one party in a conflict.
3. To advocate for; to fight on behalf of.

• Contrast with Tagalog: There is a significant false friend nuance between Cebuano and Tagalog regarding this word:
  • In Cebuano, laban is almost exclusively defensive and supportive. It means to stand beside or for someone (to shield them).
  • In Tagalog, laban is primarily offensive or adversarial. It means to fight against someone (opposition).
  • Example: If a Cebuano says "Molaban ko nimo," they mean "I will support/defend you." If a Tagalog speaker says "Lalabanan kita," they mean "I will fight/oppose you."

• 2025 September 1, Editoryal, “Ombudsman nga Molaban sa Katawhan”, in Banat News‎^[2]:

  Ombudsman nga molaban sa katawhan batok sa mga mapahimuslanong opisyal.

  An Ombudsman who defends/takes the side of the people.

• kontra (“to oppose”)
• biya (“to abandon; to leave behind”)

• laban-laban (“to consistently take someone's side (often biased)”)
• manlalaban (“lawyer; defender”)
• palaban (“to seek help/defense from another”)

• panalipod (“to protect/shield”)
• tabang (“to help”)

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laban (“oppose, go against someone”).

• Hyphenation: la‧ban
• IPA^(key): /ˈlaban/ [ˈl̪a.ban̪]

lában

1. fight, battle, match

   Synonym: sulbod

From Proto-Malayic *laban, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laban (“oppose, go against someone”).

laban

1. to fight

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laban (“besides, except”).

laban

1. because; owing to

• kebuah

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laban (“oppose, go against someone”).

laban

1. fight; struggle

Borrowed from Russian лобан (loban).

laban m (plural labani)

1. flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laban (“oppose, go against someone”). Compare Central Bikol laban, Kapampangan laban, Malay lawan, and Javanese ꦭꦮꦤ꧀ (lawan).

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ˈlaban/ [ˈlaː.bɐn̪]
• Rhymes: -aban
• Syllabification: la‧ban

laban (Baybayin spelling ᜎᜊᜈ᜔)

1. fight; quarrel

   Synonyms: labanan, away, awayan, basag-ulo

2. match; contest; game

   Synonyms: labanan, laro, paligsahan

3. going against; opposition

   Synonyms: tutol, pagtutol, kontra, pagkontra

4. fact or condition of being against or contradictory

   Synonyms: salungat, pagkasalungat, kasalungatan

laban (Baybayin spelling ᜎᜊᜈ᜔)

1. against; contrary; opposed

   Synonyms: kontra, salungat, kasalungat

laban (Baybayin spelling ᜎᜊᜈ᜔)

1. expression of encouragement: fight!

   Laban lang!

   Just keep on fighting!

• labern, lavern — gay slang

From labhan with elision of /h/.

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /laˈban/ [lɐˈban̪]
• Rhymes: -an
• Syllabification: la‧ban

labán (complete nilaban, progressive nilalaban, contemplative lalaban, Baybayin spelling ᜎᜊᜈ᜔) (nonstandard)

1. alternative form of labhan

• “laban”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, 2018

• lanab, banal, Banal