bukang-liwayway
bukang-liwáyway with stress marks
dawn, daybreak
Usage Note
Bukang-liwayway literally means 'the opening of light' and refers to the moment just before sunrise when the sky begins to brighten. It is a beloved poetic term in Tagalog literature and songs, symbolizing hope, new beginnings, and the end of hardship. It is rarely used in casual conversation but frequently appears in formal writing, poetry, and national anthem-adjacent language.
Examples
" Maganda ang bukang-liwayway. "
Natural Translation
The dawn is beautiful.
Literal Translation
Beautiful the dawn.
" Gising na siya bago ang bukang-liwayway. "
Natural Translation
He/She is already awake before daybreak.
Literal Translation
Awake already he/she before the dawn.
" Pagkatapos ng mahabang gabi ng paghihirap, dumating din ang bukang-liwayway na nagdala ng bagong pag-asa. "
Natural Translation
After a long night of hardship, the dawn finally came, bringing new hope.
Literal Translation
After the long night of hardship, came also the dawn that brought of new hope.
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