Usage Note
Alab primarily means flame or blaze and is used figuratively to describe intense passion, patriotism, or love. It is a staple of Filipino poetry, songs, and oratory but is less common in everyday spoken Tagalog.
Examples
" Maganda ang alab ng apoy. "
Natural Translation
The flame of the fire is beautiful.
Literal Translation
Beautiful the flame of fire.
" Nag-aapoy ang alab ng kanyang pag-ibig sa bayan. "
Natural Translation
The flame of his/her love for the nation is blazing.
Literal Translation
Blazing the flame of-the his/her love for-the nation.
" Hindi namatay ang alab ng kanyang pangarap kahit maraming pagsubok ang dumating sa kanyang buhay. "
Natural Translation
The fervor of her dream did not die out even though many trials came into her life.
Literal Translation
Not died the flame of her dream even many trial the came in her life.
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