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bente

bénte with stress marks

twenty

noun BEN-te Spanish origin Common

Usage Note

Bente is the Spanish-derived twenty, used almost exclusively for money and time — bente pesos, bente minuto. The native dalawampu is preferred for counting objects and in formal or classroom Tagalog.

Examples

Beginner

" Bente lang ito. "

Natural Translation

This is only twenty.

Literal Translation

Twenty only this.

Intermediate

" Bente pesos ang isang tasa ng kape. "

Natural Translation

One cup of coffee is twenty pesos.

Literal Translation

Twenty pesos the one cup of coffee.

Advanced

" Bente minuto na kaming naghihintay ng dyip pero wala pa ring dumadaan. "

Natural Translation

We have been waiting twenty minutes for a jeepney but still none has passed.

Literal Translation

Twenty minute already we waiting of jeepney but none still passing.

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