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babà

chin

noun ba-BA Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Babà is the anatomical term for the chin, the lower front part of the face. In Filipino gesture culture, raising the chin is a widely recognized non-verbal way of pointing or indicating direction — a cultural shortcut that often surprises foreign visitors.

Examples

Beginner

" Masakit ang baba ko. "

Natural Translation

My chin hurts.

Literal Translation

Painful the chin my.

Intermediate

" May sugat siya sa babà. "

Natural Translation

He/She has a wound on the chin.

Literal Translation

There-is wound he/she in chin.

Advanced

" Sa halip na ituro ng daliri, itinaas na lamang niya ang kaniyang baba para ipakita kung saan kami pupunta. "

Natural Translation

Instead of pointing with a finger, he simply raised his chin to show where we should go.

Literal Translation

Instead of point of finger, raised just he the his chin to show where we will-go.

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