balon
bálon with stress marks
well (water source)
Usage Note
Balon is the traditional word for a water well dug into the ground to access groundwater. Before piped water reached rural Philippine communities, the balon was a communal gathering point central to daily life. Many older neighborhoods and provinces still have functioning wells, and the word carries a sense of shared resource and community.
Examples
" Malalim ang balon namin. "
Natural Translation
Our well is deep.
Literal Translation
Deep the well our.
" Kumuha siya ng tubig mula sa balon para magluto. "
Natural Translation
He/She drew water from the well to cook.
Literal Translation
Got he/she water from the well for cook.
" Noong wala pang gripo sa amin, sa balon kami kumukuha ng tubig tuwing umaga. "
Natural Translation
Back when we had no faucet, we used to fetch water from the well every morning.
Literal Translation
Before none yet faucet at us, at well we fetched of water every morning.
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