Usage Note
Ate is a respectful title used for an older sister or any female peer slightly older than the speaker. It is also commonly used as a polite way to address female strangers or service workers like vendors and cashiers.
Examples
" Maganda ang luto ni ate. "
Natural Translation
My older sister's cooking is good.
Literal Translation
Good the cooking of older-sister.
" Tinulungan ako ni ate. "
Natural Translation
[My] older sister helped me.
Literal Translation
Helped me by older-sister.
" Tinuruan ako ng ate kong magbasa noong bata pa ako, kaya napamahal sa akin ang mga libro. "
Natural Translation
My older sister taught me to read when I was still a child, so books became dear to me.
Literal Translation
Taught me by older-sister my read when child still I, so became-dear to me the books.
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