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asin

asín with stress marks

salt

noun a-SIN Native origin Less Common
Illustration of "asin" (salt)

Usage Note

Asin is a basic staple in every Filipino kitchen, essential for seasoning traditional dishes and making simple dipping sauces (sawsawan). It is frequently used at the table to adjust the taste of meals or mixed with calamansi for a quick condiment.

Examples

Beginner

" Walang asin ang kanin. "

Natural Translation

The rice has no salt.

Literal Translation

Has-no salt the rice.

Intermediate

" Dagdag ka ng kaunting asin. "

Natural Translation

Add a little salt.

Literal Translation

Add you of little salt.

Advanced

" Kulang sa asin ang ulam, kaya naghalo ako ng kaunting toyo at kalamansi sa sawsawan. "

Natural Translation

The dish lacks salt, so I mixed a little soy sauce and calamansi into the dipping sauce.

Literal Translation

Lacking in salt the dish, so mixed I of little soy-sauce and calamansi in dipping-sauce.

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