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balangay

balangáy with stress marks

huge precolonial boat

noun ba-la-NGAY Native origin Less Common

Also means

Balangay is also the root of the word barangay, the smallest political unit in the Philippines, as communities once traveled and settled together on these boats.

Usage Note

Balangay refers to the large wooden outrigger boats used by precolonial Filipino communities for migration, trade, and warfare. The oldest known watercraft discovered in the Philippines is a balangay, and the term carries strong historical pride as a symbol of pre-colonial maritime culture.

Examples

Beginner

" Malaki ang balangay na ito. "

Natural Translation

This balangay is big.

Literal Translation

Big the balangay this.

Intermediate

" Ginagamit ng mga ninuno natin ang balangay para maglayag sa buong Asya. "

Natural Translation

Our ancestors used the balangay to sail throughout Asia.

Literal Translation

Used of-the ancestors our the balangay to sail in-the whole Asia.

Advanced

" Pinatunayan ng mga nahukay na balangay sa Butuan na bihasa na sa paglalayag ang ating mga ninuno bago pa man dumating ang mga Espanyol. "

Natural Translation

The balangay boats excavated in Butuan proved that our ancestors were already skilled at sailing even before the Spaniards arrived.

Literal Translation

Proven of-the excavated balangay in Butuan that skilled already at sailing the our ancestors before even arrive the Spaniards.

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