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ampaw

ampáw with stress marks

puffed rice

noun am-PAW Native origin Less Common

Also means

Ampaw is also used colloquially to describe something hollow or empty, or a person who is all talk with no substance.

Usage Note

Ampaw is a traditional Filipino snack made from puffed or toasted rice, often shaped into bars or balls with sugar or syrup. It is associated with childhood street food and provincial fairs. The word's secondary metaphorical meaning — someone hollow or insubstantial — is common in casual conversation.

Examples

Beginner

" Masarap ang ampaw. "

Natural Translation

The puffed rice is delicious.

Literal Translation

Delicious the puffed-rice.

Intermediate

" Binibili namin ang ampaw sa palengke tuwing Sabado. "

Natural Translation

We buy puffed rice at the market every Saturday.

Literal Translation

Bought by-us the puffed-rice at-the market every Saturday.

Advanced

" Tuwing pista, bumibili ang lolo ko ng ampaw para sa lahat ng mga apo niya. "

Natural Translation

Every fiesta, my grandfather buys puffed rice for all of his grandchildren.

Literal Translation

Every fiesta, buying the grandfather my of puffed-rice for all of the grandchildren his.

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