Usage Note
Balsa refers to a simple flat-bottomed raft made of logs or bamboo lashed together, used for river crossing and fishing in rural areas. The circumflex on the final vowel marks a glottal stop with stressed final syllable. The word entered Tagalog from Spanish balsa, which itself reflects the widespread use of rafts in early Philippine contact with colonial explorers.
Examples
" Sumakay kami sa balsa. "
Natural Translation
We rode on the raft.
Literal Translation
Rode we in raft.
" Tumawid sila sa ilog gamit ang isang malaking balsa. "
Natural Translation
They crossed the river using a large raft.
Literal Translation
Crossed they the river using one large raft.
" Tuwing tag-ulan, ang tanging paraan upang makatawid sa umaapaw na ilog ay ang lumang balsa na hinihila ng lubid mula sa magkabilang pampang. "
Natural Translation
During the rainy season, the only way to cross the overflowing river is the old raft pulled by a rope from both banks.
Literal Translation
Every rainy-season, the only way so-that can-cross in overflowing that river is the old raft that is-pulled of rope from both bank.
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