balyena
balyéna with stress marks
whale
Usage Note
Balyena is borrowed from Spanish ballena (whale) and is the standard Tagalog word for whale. While whales are not found in inland Philippine waters, they are spotted in passages like the Bohol Sea and Tañon Strait, where whale-watching tourism has grown. The word also appears in environmental discussions about marine conservation.
Examples
" Nakita namin ang balyena. "
Natural Translation
We saw the whale.
Literal Translation
Saw we the whale.
" Nakita ng mga mangingisda ang malaking balyena malapit sa dalampasigan. "
Natural Translation
The fishermen spotted a large whale near the shore.
Literal Translation
Saw the fishermen the large whale near the shore.
" Tuwing tag-init, dumadagsa ang mga turista sa Bohol upang masaksihan ang mga balyena na lumalangoy sa malalim na karagatan. "
Natural Translation
Every summer, tourists flock to Bohol to witness the whales swimming in the deep sea.
Literal Translation
Every summer, flock the tourists to Bohol so-that to-witness the whales that swimming in deep sea.
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