bolo
bólo with stress marks
machete
Usage Note
Bolo is a traditional Filipino long knife used for farming, clearing vegetation, and historically in combat. It is an iconic symbol of Philippine rural life and revolutionary history — Katipunan fighters famously wielded bolos — and remains a practical tool in the countryside today.
Examples
" Matalas ang bolo niya. "
Natural Translation
His machete is sharp.
Literal Translation
Sharp the machete his.
" Ginamit ng magsasaka ang bolo para putulin ang mga sanga. "
Natural Translation
The farmer used a machete to cut the branches.
Literal Translation
Used the farmer the machete for cut the branches.
" Dala-dala ng matandang magsasaka ang kanyang bolo habang naglalakad papunta sa bukid tuwing umaga. "
Natural Translation
The old farmer carries his machete as he walks to the field every morning.
Literal Translation
Carrying of-the old farmer the his machete while walking going to the field every morning.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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