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amerikana

amerikána with stress marks

suit, coat

noun a-me-ri-KA-na Spanish origin Less Common

Usage Note

Amerikana means a suit jacket or blazer — Western formalwear introduced during the American colonial period — despite sounding like it refers to a person from America. It is the standard formal attire for men at weddings, graduations, and government events, often worn over a barong tagalog.

Examples

Beginner

" Bago ang amerikana ng tatay. "

Natural Translation

Father's suit is new.

Literal Translation

New the suit of father.

Intermediate

" Isinuot niya ang kanyang amerikana. "

Natural Translation

He/She wore his/her suit.

Literal Translation

Wore he/she the his/her suit.

Advanced

" Nang dumating ang lalaking nakasuot ng amerikana, napansin agad ng lahat na siya ang pinakamahalagang panauhin sa kasalan. "

Natural Translation

When the man wearing a suit arrived, everyone immediately noticed that he was the most important guest at the wedding.

Literal Translation

When arrived the man wearing of suit, noticed immediately by all that he the most-important guest at wedding.

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