balete
baléte with stress marks
banyan tree; spirit home
Usage Note
Balete is one of the most mythologically significant trees in Philippine folklore, widely believed to be inhabited by supernatural beings such as engkanto (nature spirits) and kapre (a large tree-dwelling spirit). Old balete trees are treated with reverence and are rarely cut down.
Examples
" May malaking balete sa likod. "
Natural Translation
There is a big balete tree out back.
Literal Translation
Has big balete at back.
" Sinasabi ng matatanda na may nakatira sa loob ng lumang balete sa aming baryo. "
Natural Translation
The elders say something lives inside the old balete tree in our village.
Literal Translation
Saying of-the elders that has living in-the inside of-the old balete in our village.
" Ayaw putulin ng mga magsasaka ang lumang balete dahil naniniwala silang may engkantong naninirahan sa mga ugat nito. "
Natural Translation
The farmers refuse to cut down the old balete tree because they believe a nature spirit dwells among its roots.
Literal Translation
Don't-want to-cut the farmers the old balete because believe they that has nature-spirit living in the roots its.
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