* Love/Dear: This is the most common and direct translation. It can be used to express love, affection, or endearment. For example, "Mahal kita" means "I love you."
* Expensive: This meaning refers to the monetary value of something. For example, "Ang mahal ng sapatos na 'yan" means "That shoe is expensive."
The meaning of "mahal" depends on the context in which it is used. Here are some examples:
* Mahal ko ang asawa ko. (I love my wife.)
* Mahal ang mga prutas sa palengke ngayon. (The fruits in the market are expensive today.)
To clarify the meaning of "mahal" in a specific sentence, you can look at the surrounding words and the overall context.