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balato

baláto with stress marks

money given from winnings

noun ba-LA-to Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Balato is the social custom of sharing a portion of gambling winnings, lottery prizes, or unexpected windfalls with friends and family. Giving balato is culturally expected and reflects Filipino communal values around sharing good fortune — refusing can be seen as miserly.

Examples

Beginner

" Bigyan mo ako ng balato. "

Natural Translation

Give me some of your winnings.

Literal Translation

Give you me of winnings.

Intermediate

" Pahingi naman ng balato mo. "

Natural Translation

Please give me some of your winnings.

Literal Translation

Ask-for please of winnings your.

Advanced

" Nang manalo siya sa lotto, agad niyang ipinamigay ang balato sa mga kaibigan at kapitbahay na laging sumusuporta sa kanya. "

Natural Translation

When he won the lottery, he immediately shared part of his winnings with the friends and neighbors who always supported him.

Literal Translation

When won he in lotto, immediately by-him gave-away the winnings to the friends and neighbors that always supporting him.

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