Usage Note
Alabok is the Tagalog word for dust or fine powder particles, used for dusty surfaces, roads, and figuratively for something forgotten or neglected. It overlaps in meaning with alikabok, though alabok tends to feel slightly less formal.
Examples
" May alabok sa mesa. "
Natural Translation
There is dust on the table.
Literal Translation
Has dust on table.
" Punong-puno ng alabok ang lumang sala nila. "
Natural Translation
Their old living room is full of dust.
Literal Translation
Full-of dust the old living-room their.
" Ilang taon nang nakatiwangwang ang lumang bahay, kaya makapal na ang alabok na nakatakip sa mga lumang larawan. "
Natural Translation
The old house had been abandoned for years, so a thick layer of dust now covered the old photographs.
Literal Translation
Some years already neglected the old house, so thick now the dust that covering on old photographs.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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