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balintuwad

balintuwád with stress marks

upside down position

noun adjective ba-lin-tu-WAD Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Balintuwad literally describes something inverted or turned upside down, but is also used figuratively to describe a confused or reversed situation — similar to saying everything is topsy-turvy. It appears in both playful and critical contexts, for example describing chaotic governance or a child doing a headstand.

Examples

Beginner

" Balintuwad ang baso sa lamesa. "

Natural Translation

The glass on the table is upside down.

Literal Translation

Upside-down the glass on-the table.

Intermediate

" Ang bata ay nasa posisyong balintuwad. "

Natural Translation

The child is in an upside-down position.

Literal Translation

The child is in position-that upside-down.

Advanced

" Pagkatapos ng malakas na bagyo, balintuwad ang lahat ng bagay sa loob ng aming tindahan. "

Natural Translation

After the strong storm, everything inside our store was turned upside down.

Literal Translation

After of-the strong storm, upside-down the all of things in inside of our store.

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