Also means
When stressed on the first syllable as bísa, the word means visa — a travel document.
Usage Note
Bisà refers to the potency or effectiveness of something — a medicine, a spell, a person's authority, or a legal instrument. It appears frequently in formal and literary Tagalog and in discussions of folk medicine or supernatural power.
Examples
" Mabilis ang bisa ng gamot. "
Natural Translation
The medicine takes effect quickly.
Literal Translation
Fast the effect of medicine.
" Malakas ang bisà ng kape. "
Natural Translation
The effect of the coffee is strong.
Literal Translation
Strong the effect of coffee.
" Bagaman matanda na ang batas, nananatili pa rin ang bisa nito sa mga kasong ganito. "
Natural Translation
Although the law is already old, its efficacy still holds in cases like this.
Literal Translation
Although old already the law, remains still the efficacy of-it in cases like-this.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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