bituing-dagat
bituing-dágat with stress marks
starfish
Usage Note
Bituing-dagat is a compound of bituin (star) and dagat (sea) — the descriptive native Tagalog name for starfish. It is commonly used in educational and environmental contexts as opposed to borrowed scientific vocabulary.
Examples
" May bituing-dagat sa buhangin. "
Natural Translation
There is a starfish on the sand.
Literal Translation
Has starfish in sand.
" Nakakita kami ng bituing-dagat sa dalampasigan. "
Natural Translation
We saw a starfish at the seashore.
Literal Translation
Saw we of-starfish at-the seashore.
" Ipinaliwanag ng guro na ang bituing-dagat ay hindi isda kundi isang hayop na naninirahan sa ilalim ng dagat. "
Natural Translation
The teacher explained that a starfish is not a fish but an animal that lives at the bottom of the sea.
Literal Translation
Explained of-the teacher that the starfish is not fish but one animal that lives in bottom of sea.
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