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barat

barát with stress marks

one who bargains aggressively, stingy, haggle

adjective ba-RAT Native origin Common

Usage Note

Barat describes someone who haggles excessively or refuses to pay a fair price — often used affectionately but can carry mild criticism. It is a culturally familiar concept because bargaining at tiangge (markets) and ukay-ukay (thrift stores) is a normal part of Philippine commerce. Calling someone barat is usually a light tease rather than a serious insult.

Examples

Beginner

" Barat ang kapatid ko. "

Natural Translation

My sibling is stingy.

Literal Translation

Stingy the sibling my.

Intermediate

" Kilala si Aling Nena na barat. "

Natural Translation

Aling Nena is known to be stingy.

Literal Translation

Known (honorific) Nena that stingy.

Advanced

" Sobrang barat ng tita ko kaya lagi siyang nakikipagtawaran kahit mura na ang presyo sa tindahan. "

Natural Translation

My aunt is so stingy that she always haggles even when the store's price is already cheap.

Literal Translation

Very stingy of aunt my so always she haggling even cheap already the price at store.

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