asal
asál with stress marks
behavior, manners
Usage Note
Asal refers to a person's conduct, deportment, or manners. In Filipino culture, good behavior is closely tied to concepts of hiya (shame/propriety) and utang na loob (debt of gratitude). Parents frequently instill 'magandang asal' (good behavior) in children as a core family value. The word appears often in proverbs, school discussions on values education, and everyday parenting.
Examples
" Mabait at magandang asal ang bata. "
Natural Translation
The child is kind and well-behaved.
Literal Translation
Kind and good behavior the child.
" Ang magandang asal ang pinakamahalagang hatid ng magulang sa kanilang anak. "
Natural Translation
Good behavior is the most important gift parents can give their children.
Literal Translation
The good behavior the most-important gift of-the parents to their child.
" Sinabi ng guro na ang magandang asal ay mas mahalaga kaysa matataas na grado sa pag-aaral. "
Natural Translation
The teacher said that good behavior is more important than high grades in school.
Literal Translation
Said by-the teacher that the good behavior is more important than high grades in studies.
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