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kabayanan

political/economic town center

noun ka-ba-YA-nan DERIVED Derived origin Rare
Illustration of the root word "bayan" (town; nation)
Illustration from root: bayan

From root: bayan

Usage Note

Kabayanan is derived from bayan (town, nation, people) with the ka--an circumfix, referring to the central settlement or town proper, distinct from surrounding barrios or barangays. It carries a sense of civic identity and is used in both geographic and community contexts. In pre-colonial usage, the bayan was the primary social and political unit.

Examples

Beginner

" Pumunta sila sa kabayanan. "

Natural Translation

They went to the town center.

Literal Translation

Went they to-the town-center.

Intermediate

" Pumunta siya sa kabayanan para bayaran ang buwis. "

Natural Translation

He/She went to the town center to pay taxes.

Literal Translation

Went he/she to-the town-center to pay the taxes.

Advanced

" Tuwing Linggo, dumadagsa ang mga taga-barrio sa kabayanan upang mamili at dumalo sa misa sa malaking simbahan. "

Natural Translation

Every Sunday, the people from the barrios flock to the town center to shop and attend mass at the big church.

Literal Translation

Every Sunday, flock the people-from-barrio to-the town-center in-order-to shop and attend in mass in-the big church.

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Word family

bayan has 6 related forms built from the same root.

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