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alat

álat with stress marks

saltiness

noun adjective A-lat Native origin Less Common

Also means

Alat can also mean unlucky or jinxed in informal slang.

Usage Note

Alat describes the quality of saltiness in food and is most frequently used with the prefix ma- (maalat) to indicate that something is salty. It is a central flavor in Filipino cuisine, often mentioned when balancing seasonings like salt or fish sauce (patis).

Examples

Beginner

" Masyadong maalat ang sabaw. "

Natural Translation

The soup is too salty.

Literal Translation

Too salty the soup.

Intermediate

" Bawasan ang alat ng ulam. "

Natural Translation

Reduce the saltiness of the dish.

Literal Translation

Reduce the saltiness of-the dish.

Advanced

" Dahil sa sobrang alat ng patis na ginamit, hindi na kailangan pang lagyan ng asin ang pagkain. "

Natural Translation

Because the fish sauce that was used was so salty, there was no longer any need to add salt to the food.

Literal Translation

Because of excess saltiness of fish-sauce linker used, not anymore need still put of salt the food.

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